There's something in the air this time of year. It's not the sudden chill of autumn, nor the excitement of the approaching holidays, or even the frisson of annoyance at Christmas displays popping up in stores before Halloween. No, it's the buzz and electricity as authors all around the U.S. contemplate the great National Novel Writing Month.
To NaNo or not to NaNo, that is the question. Or is it? Does it have to be so black and white?
As much as I'd like to jump in wholeheartedly, I recognize my limitations. I physically cannot sustain writing 2,000 words a day. Not even 1,667 words a day, if I don't take any days off, including Thanksgiving. Yet, I don't want to sit on the sidelines, watching and hearing about authors taking on the herculean task of completing a novel in a month. I want to play, too!
So, here's my compromise. I may not sign up on the official website. I may not bust out a full 50,000 words in one month. But I will participate in spirit. I'm setting my goal at 1,000 words a day, broken into two writing sessions. That's doable! I've already written over 13,000 words on my current work in progress. I can use the rest of October to "warm-up," as it were, bust out a lot of writing, and maybe I'll get up to 20,000 words before NaNo starts. Then maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to finish my novel about the same time as everyone else. At least a nice, sketchy, skinny first draft.
There. I've made a public commitment. Count me in, fellow crazies!
"Everybody has a secret world inside of them. All of the people of the world, I mean everybody. No matter how dull and boring they are on the outside, inside them they've all got unimaginable, magnificent, wonderful, stupid, amazing worlds. Not just one world. Hundreds of them. Thousands maybe" ~ Neil Gaiman (A Game of You)
10.20.2010
NaNoWriMo Or No
Posted by Shelli at 8:52 PM
Labels: Real Life, Work In Progress
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6 comments:
What a great idea of participating in spirit. You've prompted me to think about ways I can do the same ... a daily commitment that's above and beyond my usual writing goals.
I did NaNo last year and it was a very positive experience, definitely pushed me beyond my usual boundaries.
The way you challenge yourself is inspiring and puts me to shame! You are so gifted Shelli with the words you put on paper.
Thanks! for sharing this.
Cathryn -- Maybe we can encourage and inspire each other, eh?
Renee -- Nothing I can do could put you to shame! You are remarkable.
Mama -- You're welcome, and thanks for stopping by!
Yes, let's. My November goal is a reading aloud of my novel for final polishing. I'll keep you posted! And you do the same with your 1000 words a day.
"Fellow" crazies? Who you callin' crazy. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Oh wait...you mean me. Well, yeah. Okay. Welcome on board. :) Good luck!
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