What’s NaNoWriMo? Well, it’s National Novel Writing Month. The intention is to write a 50,000 word-novel during the entire month of November. All the real writing must start on November 1 and finish on November 30 at midnight. Participants can write in the language they choose. This is an international competition. Last year, there were about 250,000 adults and 50,000 young writers participating in this creative and challenging event. Those that enter the Young Writers Program, children under 17 years of age, are allowed to set their own word count. You’re probably wondering why would anyone want to try to write a minimum of 50,000 words in one month. Well, why not? It’s a chance to gain confidence and fluency, develop creativity, and learn to mange your time. The NaNoWriMo is also an excellent assignment for school teachers and language teachers. Go to educators to find helpful tips and lesson plans to help you get started. Below I’ve linked a video that shows how a class participated in the competition last year. It’s quite aspiring. Young writers can sign up there too. So, you’re probably wondering why am I babbling about this ambitious task? Drum roll please…I’m going to give it a try for the first time. This is what I have to do:
1. go to www.nanowrimo.org
2. sign in
3. write regularly
4. track my progress
5. get support and advice
6. network and meet with other writers online or in person
Why don’t you join me and write your story?
Sometimes when I think how good my book can be, I can hardly breathe.
——–Truman CAPOTE
I’m glad you decided to do NaNoWriMo. It’s a great experience. I’ve completed NaNo the last two years, and taken part in the Camp NaNo and Script Frenzy events as well, it’s such a great community of people.
You should check out the word wars and sprints on the NaNo boards when it kicks off, they’re a great motivational tool.
Hannah
Yeah I’ll be heading over there in the next 2 days to sign up. Frankly I’m a bit nervous about the whole thing. I’ve always wanted to write so I just thought this would be a good way to kick my butt into it. Don’t forget to tell me under what name you’re registering so we can keep in touch and motivate eachother during the event.
my name on NaNo is Literature-Hippy. I’m not sure how much I’ll be online though, I was planning on doing daily updates on my blog, but I’m moving house in a week, and I won’t have internet connection until the 10th of December!
Thankfully there is a library near my new house, so hopefully I’ll be able to get there a few times to go onto the site.
If you let me know your username when you make one, I will add you.
Ok no problem. I’ll probably sign up tonight or tomorrow. Will keep you posted. thanks!
Hey Hannah I’ve finally signed up for NaNo and my name is Didi B.
I also added you as a buddy. I see you already have a title for your book. It sounds intriguing. I’m still working on thoughts and ideas. I guess the title will come when I start to write. Chat with you soon.
There’s also a book related to NaNo, I believe. It’s called 30 days No Plot, No Problem. I’d like to join in, but I’m working on short stories. Hmmm…
Why don’t you try anyway? We could support eachother. I’m doing it to see exactly what I can do. I’ve always wanted to write. Since I’m laid up with a torn achiles tendon, I thought I’d give it a go. Could you take a short break from your short story writing?
Good luck with that Deidre, it’s a great idea to get you into the writing habit, into meeting a daily target, maybe you should read Stephen King’s On Writing to inspire you , its short and excellent and definitely inspired me when I wrote my first novel. I’m not doing Nano, but I’m doing a rewrite, so November is a good month for it, while all that writing energy is out there! 🙂
Yes I must admit I’m a little nervous and unsure about what I will write about. Actually I have 2 ideas but haven’t worked out exactly how I’mgoing to go about it just yet. I’m working on it. Thanks for the encouragement and good luck to you on your rewrite!
The thing with Nano, is that its such a pressure you stop thinking and just have to write, trusting in the process – sometimes that is exactly what is needed to tap into the subconscious where many good ideas come from, so don’t worry too much, just go for the ride and see what arises. 🙂
I think that’s exactly what I’m going to do, fly from the seat of my pants!
Bravo et bonne courage mon amie!
Merci cherie!!
Bon courage! I’ve done Script Frenzy. I can’t manage Nanowrimo this year though.
Thanks for the encouragement!!!