October 2, 2009

After posting about dismounting your dead horses on Wednesday, a reader asked about putting some “horses out to pasture” so she could work on her NaNoWriMo book. Another reader asked what NaNoWriMo was.

So today, before I leave for a writers’ conference, I thought I’d post links to last year’s NaNoWriMo information. Some explain how NaNoWriMo is run; others show challenges along the way so you can prepare for them.

Plan Ahead Now

The truth is (for me, at least) unless I spend October getting reading for National Novel Writing Month in November, I bomb. One year I didn’t make it very far. One year I completed the 50,000 words, but the manuscript wasn’t worth saving–only the idea was salvaged.

This year I’m preparing now for November. I will dismount a couple of dead horses, plus work through a couple of plot issues on the new novel I’m outlining. By the time November 1 rolls around, I want to be ready to the point that I can produce (God willing) a viable draft of a novel by the end of November.

Check These Out and Join Me!

NaNoWriMo: What Is It?

NaNoWriMo Kick-Off!

NaNoWriMo: Surviving Week One

NaNoWriMo Update: Week Three

NaNoWriMo Results

Anybody else going to try the challenge this year?

11 Comments »

1. 

   Hi Kristi,

   I’ll join you.
   I did some journaling over the summer & now I’m going back through it to see if there’s something I can use as a jump off point.
   I figure if I’m planning & ploting two other short stories now to complete for Oct 30 – why not three.
   I’ve already got a theme going on for the 2 I’m working on so I just need that spring to start the 3rd.

   Cheers
   Ally

   Comment by Ally M — October 2, 2009 @ 9:23 am

2. 

   Last year I only unofficially participated to see how it would feel to try it. This year I’m doing it in earnest, and I’ve gotten my husband (if he doesn’t get the second job he applied for) and my two teenage daughters on board. With four of us pelting out novels, I think it will be fun.

   Comment by Beth Mac — October 2, 2009 @ 11:03 am

3. 

   This will be my first experience with NaNo and blogged about it too! I’m really excited to build some self-discipline and network with fellow writers. I, too, am spending October getting ready.

   Great post, I’m glad to know I’m not alone in the whole warm up a month in advance process.

   Comment by Kristi Faith — October 2, 2009 @ 3:59 pm

4. 

   Thanks for posting this Kristi! This will be my first year doing Nanowrimo and I’m really excited! Thanks for the extra info!

   Comment by Emily — October 2, 2009 @ 6:49 pm

5. 

   Remember to turn off the internal editor, and know that the second week is the tough one where EVERYONE wants to quit.

   Comment by Beth Mac — October 3, 2009 @ 12:23 pm

6. 

   I tried last year but only lasted about a week because I got pregnant and inundated with morning sickness. I want to finish the 1st draft of my current WIP first, but I would really like to try NaNo this year. I think it will help me turn off the inner editor. I’m also tempted to not plan too much to see how that goes. I think I usually overplan books and squash my creativity.

   Sounds like a fun ride! I’m in!

   Amy

   Comment by Amy Simon — October 3, 2009 @ 6:14 pm

7. 

   I’m excited to hear about so many giving this a try. We can support each other. I love the idea of having a whole family NaNoWriMo month, Beth! Thanks for the reminder about the dreadful second week–I had forgotten!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — October 4, 2009 @ 7:27 am

8. 

   I just might! Nothing to lose, right?

   Comment by Yvette — October 5, 2009 @ 8:47 pm

9. 

   OK! I just signed up! What have I gotten myself into?? lol!

   Comment by Yvette — October 6, 2009 @ 7:58 pm

10. 

    Just wanted to say, I read your blog from last year about the results, and I must say I’m thankful that I’m in Canada, and our Thanksgiving is this weekend coming, and not the last week of NaNoWriMo!

    Comment by Yvette — October 6, 2009 @ 8:51 pm

11. 

    Hi Kristi, I’ve signed up for nanowrimo for the first time. I’ll keep tabs on your comments to keep myself motivated. Thanks for your encouragement!

    Comment by Diane Jones — October 22, 2009 @ 8:02 am

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