NaNoWriMo. I’m wearing a string bikini on the nude beach.
NaNoWriMo.
National Novel Writing Month.
Writing 50,000 words — or what is the first draft of a novel — in the 30 days of November.
I’ve never participated before. I’ve had fun with NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) posting on this blog every day in November. But I’ve never felt the gut call to attempt NaNoWriMo.
Why?
Well, the daunting task of writing 1,667 words a day. And the bigger challenge of those 50,010 words forming a story. One with twists and turns. An unforseen climax. And a cast of characters the reader cares about and roots for.
To be honest, it’s a mental shift. One from columnist, blogger, 1,500 word article writer to 50,000 to 100,000 word novelist.
And the challenge of those having to be very a entertaining, cohesive 100,000 words.
For me it was time. I have a story in my head and sensing the shrinking amount of time I might be given on this earth — what was I waiting for?
So I’ve been trying. I knew better than to go all in with expectations. I’m on the nude beach surrounded by people in various stages of undress — wearing in a string bikini.
My goal was 500 words a day, not 1,667. My hopes are to build a habit and momentum.
And get a first draft in three to six months. Not three to six years.
Some days I’ve gone over with my count, some days I’m under. We’ll see how I end up at November’s end.
This month, I hope to include posts with interviews of some of my author friends who’ve crossed the finished line. Ones with fabulous novels in print.
And I’ll check back in with posts on some of the things that are working for me.
Anywho.
I do miss the community of blogging. And writing silly 600 word blog posts about silly things that cross my mind. But . . .
xoxo
