By now I think the world knows about NaNoWriMo (aka National Novel Writing Month). You spend the month of November, writing feverishly, approximately 1667 words/day, so you can finish a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.
Anyone who has participated will admit it's an audacious thing to write a 50k novel in 30 days. It borders on lunacy, which is why you will see so many bleary-eyed zombies walking around during November. Okay, and in December, while these insane writers are recuperating from this manic sprint to create a book.
No, it's not considered a polished novel. It's not even a finished novel. No one in their right mind would consider it "query ready" or even "submission ready".
But it is definitely a beautiful beginning.
Sometimes starting something is the hardest part of a project. It's easier to talk about starting. We all have ideas for books, but getting those ideas onto paper, and fashioning them into a coherent narrative. . .that's definitely the tricky part.
The goal of NaNo is to finish, of course, and I am aiming for that goal with all the ferocity I possess. All the way to 50k! But I don't consider it a wasted effort if I don't make it to the finish line with fewer words.
I finished NaNo the very first attempt, when I wrote Bad Sex Karma. I learned so much about staying two steps ahead of that pesky Inner Critic. NaNo also helped me come out as a pantser, and it was a glorious thing to discover that 1667 words/day is actually a comfortable pace for me.
The most important lesson I learned? How to actually enjoy the writing process.
I started Shoot Me If I Do at another NaNo session, but my work life at the time was too chaotic to get very far. I attempted to work on it the next year, but I couldn't finish then either. This really surprised me, because I hadn't had any troubles the first time keeping up, or catching up, with the word count.
Still, I don't consider either of those tries as failures, because an amazing hero and heroine LEAPT off the pages. I knew instantly how great they were, and I knew I was going to finish that book no matter what.
I did finish it, and that book placed in several contests, got me my agent, and is on submission to editors as I type this (unless of course I just jinxed everything, so if you can't read this sentence, it's because the superstitious lizard-brain part of me insisted I white it out).
This year I'm going to give NaNo another go. If I get to 50k, fine. If not, that's fine too. Any word count is better than zero word count. I have a few ideas I've been batting around, and so far I can't seem to commit to just one—I'm definitely in the midst of a literary Big Love situation here. But I feel like I'm ready to devote my time and energies to just one manuscript, even if I don't make my selection until right before I turn into a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight November 1st.
Also, this year I want to interact with fellow writers in my local area, something I've avoided in the past since I wasn't sure I'd get my actual writing done if I was commiserating with other NaNoManiacs. But it's always good to try new things, and it sounds like it could be fun, so why not?
That's why NaNo is such a rush. It's crazy and manic and unpredictable and, most of all, absolutely thrilling.
Shouldn't writing be like that at least one month out of the year?
So, any other NaNoManiacs out there? If so, let's hear it: All The Way to 50k! Tell us what you're planning to write, and if you want to be buddies on the NaNoWriMo website!
Best of luck, Donna! I can sense your excitement! Since I first heard of NaNo last year, I've thought it was a wonderful/crazy thing to do. I should have tried it last year when I had the time. Time? I had time? Hard to believe, but I did have an open window of writing time then, but I was in a current WIP (hmmm...still my current WIP actually) and didn't want to start something new. And now this year, my push to finish out my semester of college will have to be my "rush." So, no possibility of NaNo for me, but I'm going to borrow your enthusiasm anyway. LOL It's a great thing to have a deadline. You better be getting lots of sleep this last weekend before taking off on your race Nov. 1! :) I'll be cheering for you!
Posted by: Melissa | October 29, 2010 at 09:33 AM
Melissa, you are such a sweetheart! Now I'll HAVE to finish when I've got such a great cheerleader. :)
I had to laugh about when you had "time". It's definitely in short supply for you nowadays! But your college work is sooo important, and definitely worth the time you're devoting to it, so feel free to use any of my enthusiasm you need. :)
I do think the deadline helps motivate me. LOL Otherwise a lot of things get done "tomorrow". LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 29, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Once I get edits done this weekend (hopefully), I'm going to get back into my other half-finished novel. If I can do 50K next month, I'll be a happy camper. But then every month is NaNoWriMo for me. It's still a motivator, though.
Posted by: Liz Fichera | October 29, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Liz, I think that's a good way to look at it -- every month is NaNo. LOL That's what I liked about trying it the first time, learning that it was a good writing pace for me. Some days I might have to struggle a little bit more, but most days it's great.
Good luck to you with edits and doing 50K!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 29, 2010 at 10:39 AM
I really admire the NaNoers...but am not ready to even attempt this. Right now, I feel like I'm jumping out of my skin with everything I need to do...and I'm not insane enough to try something else right now!
I'm insane, but have to draw a line somewhere!
Posted by: Maureen | October 29, 2010 at 10:40 AM
Maureen, completely understandable! I have a feeling it may prove more challenging this year since I've got a lot of things I'm editing and revising and organizing. We'll see what happens. LOL I might be insane even considering it!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 29, 2010 at 11:00 AM
It's so inspiring that your NaNo books got as far as they did! A great success story! Can't wait to buy your book when it's published :) I'll be at your side for NaNo! It will be fun and crazy
Posted by: Kristin | October 29, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Kristin, we'll have fun! It is definitely wild and crazy, but it also feels like such an accomplishment - which is why I want to finish it again this year. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 29, 2010 at 01:15 PM
I'm not NaNoing, but I'll definitely cheer on those brave souls who are planning to.
Oh, and glad you subdued lizard brain. Wishing you good sub mojo!
Posted by: Jan O'Hara | October 29, 2010 at 08:08 PM
Jan, thanks for the good sub mojo! I've actually got two books on sub right now, so I need twice as much mojo as before. LOL
Cheerleaders are always welcome. :) We'll return the favor once we recuperate from NaNo. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 29, 2010 at 08:23 PM