NaNoWriMo

Phew! November has been a busy month! Between the new job, the other job, and trying to get a book published, it would be crazy to try to tackle something as unique and time consuming as National Novel Writing Month, but I guess I am crazy! National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo is a national creative writing competition held every November online. It is also non-profit organization that you can donate to the cause. NaNoWriMo has helped to bring “free creative writing programs to more than 500,000 kids and adults in approximately 100 countries, 2,000 classrooms, 600 libraries, and 500 NaNoWriMo regions every year.” By donating “you not only support people’s novel writing dreams, you help transform people into creators who see new possibilities in the world—and act on them. You spark a creative revolution.” (www.nanowrimo.org).

In short, NaNoWriMo, is both inspiring and supportive to both professional and newbie authors to share a story with the world. There are not necessarily awards for first place or best novel, but if you are able to write a 50,000 word story in the 30 days of November, then you are a winner! Winners of NaNoWriMo receive perks such as free sample printings of their book and other discounts through NaNoWriMo sponsors. The main goal here is not really about the prizes or awards, it is about pushing yourself to finish something you have always meant to write, but have always put off. I am writing an end-of-world type story that I created an outline for almost a year ago already! There is something about signing up and creating a deadline for yourself that everyone can track online that pushes you to get it done. NaNoWriMo stresses that this isn’t about creating the perfect book, it is about just getting your story out there, editing can come later! I was once at an open house at a library and they had a famous author speaking. Someone in the audience asked what is the best advice the author could give to people who want to publish a book. His response? “Just write the damn book.” That’s how I feel about NaNoWriMo, I have had this idea floating around for over a year and keep putting it off, I need to just write the damn thing – even if it isn’t pretty!

NaNoWriMo

NaNoWriMo provides the best sort of support for authors trying to complete the challenge. They encourage you to tell all your friends and family about it and post your progress online as well as providing all sorts of community forums and groups online. There is also an online group for the region you are writing in – my region is McHenry County, IL. Within my region, local libraries offer classes and write-ins, as well as fellow NaNoWriMo writers schedule meeting times to get together and write – whether it is at the library or a Starbucks.

The best thing about NaNoWriMo is that it is fun! Their emails are supportive and quirky – the last one I got was a letter from the “future me,” that warns against drinking that last cup of coffee on the night of day 29 and wishing me luck. Their forums are all created to help the online writing community. The Adoption Society forum states that writers can “find an abandoned plot, a character, a title, or even a catch phrase!” While other forums, like the Character Café help writers develop characters in their stories. Forums like NaNoWriMo Ate My Soul and This is Going Better Than I’d Hoped actually provide a lot of support both during the book writing process and what to do with the book after you have finished it – everything from editing, to writing proposal letters, to publishing. And of course, don’t forget their newly updated Games, Diversions, & Other Exciting Forms of Procrastination forum – I am sure I will be hanging out there at least once!

If you have any sort of story you want to share, but haven’t been sufficiently motivated – NaNoWriMo is perfect for you! I put off signing up for this for about 3 years, and that is even with a story outline for the last year already created! Sometimes a kick in the butt is all you need to get going! I’d love to stay and chat more, but I have a story to finish writing!