Friday, October 26, 2007

NaNoWriMo - who wants to play?

Hello! As the end of October approaches, we reach my annual join-me-and-write-a-novel drive. November is National Novel Writing Month - and since the "nation" in question isn't specified, I'm going to go ahead and claim at least a small part of it in the name of my new Swiss home. National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo for those in the "kno") started in 1999 in California (of course) with the aim of turning free-time into novels. The goal is to complete the first draft of a 50,000 word novel in only one month. I have participated several years and actually reached the goal for the first time two years ago.

Some important things to know:
* First and foremost: the goal is not to write a good novel.. just to write any novel
* You can totally do it - its just over 1660 words per day - and don't most of us type that much while sending all our daily IMs anyway...
* NaNo is a great excuse to give yourself treats, to whine, and to cancel plans for things you didn't want to do anyway
* The more people you know participating, the better
* Having such a large goal is a great way to get your house cleaned and laundry caught up and long-lost penpals contacted - anything to procrastinate from the actual writing
* I heard Paris says bragging about your novel is hot.

Ok, all rambling aside, its really a great experience and I highly encourage everyone I know to at least give it a try. If you plan to try, let me know so we can keep tabs on each other! Wanna know more? Check out http://www.nanowrimo.org or look for the book "No Plot, No Problem" written by the creator of this whole mess... and coincidently, about 50k words long.

Happy whining!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Can I satisfy the requirement by drawing 50 pictures?

Miz K said...

Nope - writing only!!!!! C'mon - it'll be fun!

Kasia said...

Hmmm... sounds like fun... do you think that I can squeeze in some more activities in my time?

Miz K said...

Its pretty much the most fun ever - if you can find 1-2 hours per day to type, you can usually get it done! It might cut into your knitting and your studies... I still recommend it! I plan on novelling quite a bit at your shop, so you'll have an automatic writing buddy!

AciDemon said...

sounds like fun indeed!
i was thinking about writing a novel anyway lately.

but i can't think of a good plot and/or a good theme.
and i definetly would have to do it in german.

Miz K said...

Hurrah! This is why the motto is "No plot, No problem" - just type type type! You'll be amazed by what you think of! You are also more than welcome to type it in any language you want - just type! :-)

AciDemon said...

i'll think about it.
i still have a few days until november. :)

Anonymous said...

I am there: the Story of CB Murchison is already sketched out and waiting to be written

Ars said...

I might have to dig up my Nano from two years ago to see if it brings back the appropriate fun memories required to get me to try Nanoing again. You know how bad I am at nanoing in a timely manner, though...

AciDemon said...

okay, count me in. :) YAY!

Miz K said...

Wow - nice turnout! Make sure to sign up on the website if you get a chance - great resources there! Glad to see everyone!

K

AciDemon said...

hey miz k. :)
already planning next month and sent mr. k into excile? :)

i'll now write my blog-entries about NaNoWriMo in english too, so you can keep an eye on my suffering. :)
(it's and will be on the end of the blogpost)

AwZam said...

I like your uncanny ability to rationalize things -- "NaNo is a great excuse to give yourself treats, to whine, and to cancel plans for things you didn't want to do anyway"

awesome.

LadyLinoleum said...

I think this is a fabulous idea! It's only the 2nd, so I think I'll jump in and give it a try!