Are You Ready for November and The Start of Another NaNoWriMo?
NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writer’s Month – has begun again.
In 2004 or 2005, I was introduced to National Novel Writer’s Month – NaNoWriMo.
Every November, NaNoWriMo is a challenge to reach 50,000 words of writing in 30 days.
While that’s a lot of words – it’s not unreasonable. Breaking it down, 50,000 words is slightly more than 1,666 words a day.
Multiple professional writers – myself included – strive for 1500 words a day. Adding another 166 is no big deal.
For me, NaNoWriMo initially served as the impetus to write more overall. When I tried my hand at using NaNoWriMo as the spark for more writing in 2005, I got less than 20,000 words in before I was stuck and didn’t finish.
The next time I took a serious stab at NaNoWriMo, I chose a new tactic. Following a good friend’s suggestion, rather than write fantasy or sci-fi, I’d write the story of my accident.
This would be the first time I completed the contest and “won”, passing 50,000 words. In time, I did some editing and shared The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Trip to the Post Office. This humorous narrative is the story of my surviving a hit-and-run as a pedestrian, my recovery, and some connected stories of my crazy life after that.
This would be the first of multiple NaNoWriMo wins.
The process is the real challenge
The purpose of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in 30 days.
Sitting down to do the writing – and focus on that and only that – can be challenging.
Even as a professional writer, there are times when sitting at the keyboard and putting the words on the screen isn’t easy. While for me it was even harder as a pantser, now that I’m working from a plan it’s still challenging.
Just because I outlined my story doesn’t mean I know how it’ll all play out once I begin to write it. Unexpected dialogue can change a scene. At times, as I write the story the planned expectations might get shifted. Maybe I plotted this chapter to include elements ‘x’, ‘y’, and ‘z’ – but instead wound up with element ‘q’ getting my focus and attention.
This can cause fits and starts in the process. Unchecked, it can drop my planned word count.
NaNoWriMo has a unique focus on word count. It’s all about the forward motion and what it takes to put out 50,000 words in 30 days.
Let’s face it – there are going to be days where the 1660+ words don’t happen. Weekends, other projects, and life can impact that word count.
But the overall process to cover all these words in just 1 month is what matters.
For those who need a fire under their ass to get writing, or those who love to write some – then go back and edit what they already did – NaNoWriMo is an outstanding contest to use for getting your words on.
You compete only with yourself doing NaNoWriMo
While National Novel Writer’s Month is a contest, it’s not a competition. At least, not with anyone else.
If you are competing, it’s only with yourself.
How does that work? NaNoWriMo is about the focus to write 50,000 words across the 30 days of November. If you are not already a regular writer – or you’re a regular writer like me in need of a kickstart – this contest is a great means to the end.
There are no prizes for winning NaNoWriMo – save some digital icons and badges the website gives you to share. However, there is a rather amazing prize.
The sensation of joy at having completed this task.
If you’ve always wanted to be a writer and made an attempt or two with little or no success, this is a great means to the end. The focus on daily and total wordcount can light the fire to drive the engine of your creativity to new heights.
In that drive, you’re only competing with yourself. Can you make and/or exceed the daily word count? The website offers you a helpful guide when you share your word count totals with where you are in relation to reaching that ultimate 50,000-word goal.
Are you able to stay focused? If you miss a day can you make it up? When and if you fall behind, can you get back on track? If you get stuck, can you find ways to get unstuck? And if something that worked yesterday doesn’t work today, can you find something new to replace it?
Thus, you’re competing with only yourself.
My NaNoWriMo experiences
I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo at least 10 times since 2005. I’ve successfully written 50,000 words and “won” 6 times.
This will be my 11th year participating. Over the years, I’ve written multiple genres of work, written in unique and different perspectives, and used NaNoWriMo as the spark to do more writing.
I’ve had years where NaNoWriMo wasn’t doable for me, for one reason or another. And clearly, I’ve not finished and “won” every time that I’ve participated.
Still, since I keep coming back to it – I love this challenge. Once again, I’m going to take the plunge and use this month and this contest to accelerate my writing.
For some people, this is intimidating. And the drive to write so much is more stressful than helpful. We all have different needs and experiences when it comes to the creation of our arts.
If you have always desired to try your hand at writing and getting something done – NaNoWriMo can be an excellent means to that end. Any and all pressure is yours to create and experience. But so is the amazing sense of accomplishment that can come from getting those words to the page or screen.
Whether you choose to participate in NaNoWriMo or not, don’t be afraid to create. Write those stories, draw those pictures, and bring the art to life.
And if you do join me in participating in NaNoWriMo this year – happy writing!
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