November 2, 2009

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) started yesterday, but I didn’t start till today. I try very hard not to work on Sundays, but I hit the floor running–er, typing–today. Did 2,789 words before quitting to exercise.

The first email pep talk to get NaNo writers out of the starting gate said a couple of things worth repeating. They certainly apply whether you’re doing the NaNoWriMo challenge or not. If you want to hear an additional four tips to get started, check out the short radio spot on their website.

From the organizer Chris Baty: “I wanted to reach out with a couple quick reassurances before we start writing. 

1) Your novel will not be as bad as you fear. All the books we’ve loved started out in a similarly imperfect form. They’re called rough drafts for a reason. No one gets a novel totally right on the first pass. This is true whether you give yourself a month or a lifetime to write the first draft. There’s an adage in noveling that you can revise a bad first draft into a great book. But you can’t revise a blank page into anything but a blank page. Take this to heart during NaNoWriMo. In November, all words are good words.

2) You deserve some fun. Taking care of everyone’s needs while still finding time to buy groceries and bathe every couple days can be a feat. Unfortunately, this means that activities like writing and art and music tend to disappear into the margins of our lives. Think of November as an all-expenses-paid, 30-day vacation to novel-land… For one month, you get to orient your life around your creative spark, rather than vice versa.”

Lighten Up!

I’m trying to keep a lighter attitude during this month’s challenge, and reminders like this help.  They become one-liners to attach to your computer, like You can’t revise a blank page into anything but a blank page and Orient your life around your creative spark.

Here’s to all NaNoWriMo writers this month!

11 Comments »

1. 

   That’s so inspiring I’m going to have fun making chocolate chip cookies for tonight’s write-in at a friend’s house. Thanks for reminding us to be real people during November!!

   : )

   Comment by Beth Mac — November 2, 2009 @ 3:08 pm

2. 

   Beth, that’s so true about being “real people” during this challenge. I take Sundays off during NaNo, plus we have Thanksgiving and I have company coming, so you adjust word counts. Good luck!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 2, 2009 @ 3:20 pm

3. 

   Hi Kristi,
   I started much the same way… yesterday I was re-writing a local contest entry that had to be in the mail this morning. But I did some thinking about my NaNoWriMo project.
   I am so looking forward to making some time tonight to start writing… right after supper.
   Cheers

   Comment by Ally M — November 2, 2009 @ 4:07 pm

4. 

   Did you make the time to write, Ally? That’s one thing NaNo is good for (for me, anyway). It makes me be consistent, or I’d never get finished. It helps me start or re-start good writing habits. I really ought to do another private NaNo in January to kick off the year right!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 2, 2009 @ 6:34 pm

5. 

   Hi Krisit:

   Great advice. Best wishes to you and all the other NaNo’s out there. I commend you for your determination.

   Good luck!

   Regards,
   Donna

   Comment by Donna McDine — November 2, 2009 @ 8:17 pm

6. 

   Maybe we’ll entice you into joining us next year, Donna! Thanks for the good wishes!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 3, 2009 @ 12:35 pm

7. 

   Hi Kristi,
   I know what you mean. I ended up re-writing/editing a piece for a local contest that had to be in the mail yesterday morning. Whew I was glad to finish it. Last night I started my NaNoWriMo piece, only 500 words but’s its a start as I still have one more piece of priority writing… My goal is to write everyday, so far so good & I’m looking forward to more writing tonight.
   Cheers, & Good Luck to All NaNoWriMo writers…
   Ally

   Comment by Ally M — November 3, 2009 @ 1:42 pm

8. 

   Ally, you have a good attitude. Yes, 500 words is a start, and it’s a good start! Those (to me, at least) are the hardest 500 words to write! Adding some every day is the easiest way to write it. I’m already thinking ahead to when we have Thanksgiving company to ways I can sneak in some writing between baking pies and roasting turkeys!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 3, 2009 @ 2:41 pm

9. 

   I’d think that Nano is all about fun … and one thing that struck me is that because it’s in Nov. one is forced to do the writing in the chaos of vacations and company and life!

   I’m in the thick of my book right now and enjoying the middle because it is not murky. Yay! But I have a few revisions to do in the first third — I just can’t send it out to my teacher in the state it’s in.

   Happy writing all. Have fun.

   Comment by Vijaya — November 3, 2009 @ 11:36 pm

10. 

    Hi Kristi,
    I did another 500 words… I was aiming for more but found it hard to stay awake long enough last night. I’m looking forward to Remeberance Day – after the annual memorial visit I plan to catch-up all afternoon…
    Cheers =o)

    Comment by Ally M — November 4, 2009 @ 9:58 am

11. 

    Wow everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!!!
    Thanksgiving is 1 of my favorite holidays, and every year I like to get into the mood-extend the holiday, as it were-by reading “Thanksgiving novels.” Not surprisingly, most of these stories are mostly about families, about coming together to heal old hurts and showing thanks for the gift of love. .. ..

    Comment by Celena — November 27, 2010 @ 1:56 pm

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