Well, October has hit and the question is upon us: Nanowrimo--am I in or out.
Nanowrimo, or National Novel Writing Month for those who don't want to be bothered to click on the link (who are you?) is a one month extravaganza of suffering, perversely fun, in which anyone who chooses to participate attempts to write a 50,000 word novel--okay, novella--for no reason except for the pleasure/agony of the thing itself. You can do it all alone, you can reach out to online pals for support, you can even connect up with people in your very own region and sweat it out together.
I have participated in this oddly exhilerating month three times and have just about made my mind up to a fourth. I highly recommend it to a few groups of people: the essentially lazy (that would be me), those who have always wanted to tackle a larger project but keep coming up with some excuse about time or whatever, and those who basically feel terrified--but intrigued--by the whole idea would be on the short list.
The animating force behind this whole enterprise is Chris Baty, and it's worth the price of the ticket (though it's actually free, unless you want to be generous and donate something) to get his pep talks once a week and be boosted by his characteristic humility and 'we can do it!' attitude.
Come on--at least take a look at the website. If you're wondering if this is for you, well, it is.
Raul Castro Squandered His Last Chance
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14ymedio, Generation Y, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 22 March 2017 — A year ago
Cuba had a once in a lifetime opportunity. US President Barack Obama came
to the ...
7 years ago
“Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing.”
ReplyDeleteI could endorse that sentiment.
I plan to be away for part of November, which would make it tough for me to follow the NaNovNoWrite regimen, and if I don’t go away, I may be too down in the dumps to do so. But you know what? I’m going to read up on the details.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Peter, this post is more in the way of planting a seed for anyone who might happen by. It doesn't have to be planted this year. A friend of mine emailed me yesterday that she is creeping closer to going for it, and I told her about it four years ago. I just want people to know of its existence.
ReplyDeleteThe post has served its purpose. I had heard of the event but never thought of entering. Now I'm considering it.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
I like the idea that outlines are permitted and encouraged as long as one does not start writing until Nov. 1 or use previous work.
ReplyDelete==============
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/</a
Yeah, I'm not much of an outliner myself, but there is a lot of discussion about best modes of pre-writing there, so I'm sure you could find some like-minded souls if you ever decide to do it.
ReplyDeleteAt first i had the idea that this was a kind of a game or an exercise in spontaneous composition. I like the possibility that I could outline and plan all I wanted to as long as I stopped screwing around and started writing when the gun sounded.
ReplyDeleteI would not outline meticulously but, if I were writing a crimen story, for instance, I'd want to know my protagonist beforehand, why the crime --probably a killing -- happens and who gets killed.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
I think the interesting thing about all this is that it can be anything you want it to be. Fantasy writers also tend to want to do a lot of world-building and research.
ReplyDeleteI think the frame and container of a month is what makes the whole thing work. It's enough time that if you screw up or fool around a lot at the beginning, there is still time to pull it out at the end.
And of course there's something to be said for being miserable in company.
Not that I really expect anyone is still reading down here, but for the record, and much against odds, given the way November shaped out to be, I made the requisite 50,000 words to win Nanowrimo at about 10:30 last night.
ReplyDelete51,247 to be precise. And I even managed to type "The End" and everything.
And yes, despite my initial reluctance, it was very, very satisfying.