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NaNoWriMo is off and RunningNovember 3, 2009 November 1st was the big day. NaNoWriMo officially started. For those not in the know, "National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30. Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved. Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly." Editing is not allowed until December (which, I'm told, brings many authors to their knees).There's tons of helpful information on the site including tips for the day, pep talks, Q&As, and even a procrastination station that offers up topics like Ban Your Book and rise to infamy, discuss what you write the other 335 days and predict the future of books. There's even widgets for keeping your word count, regional status or even just to show you're a participant.   "National Novel Writing Month's Young Writers Program provides kids and teens with a month-long language arts experience that improves self-esteem, teaches perseverance, and radically alters their relationship to writing and literature." In 2008, there were 119,301 participants and 600 K-12 schools."Donations are accepted. "NaNoWriMo and the NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program are both run by the Office of Letters and Light, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. Your donations to the Office of Letters and Light pay for NaNoWriMo's youth and adult novel-writing programs, as well as the Office of Letters and Light's operating expenses. Here's the breakdown of how NaNoWriMo and the Young Writers Program fit into the Office of Letters and Light's annual costs." What about you? Do you believe this approach works? Are you in on it? Or is it just a waste of time? Do you need the structure of NaNoWriMo? Is this the way to get kids to write? Bottom Line: So here's your "no excuse" chance to finally write that book. Posted by Barbara Vey on November 3, 2009 | Comments (15)
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Gayle Ann Willliams commented: Barbara,
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Kathy Crouch commented: This is my first year participating and I have to say it's been very exciting. There are tons of supporting comments for the flagging spirit on the website and it is very motivating to know so many others are struggling with the same issues as I am.
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Kathy Steffen commented: Barbara-what a great question! I love NaNo because of the motivation it gives writers and the idea that you keep moving forward. Not to mention the great camaraderie and support. I admit though, I have to rewrite some as I go. So last year I didn't "win" but I wrote 30,000 words, which felt good to me!
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running mary s commented: Good video--great inspiration Barb! Now if I only had the time & energy--well we will keep you informed!
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Tami Brothers commented: Hi Barbara,
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Shari Anton commented: I've done NaNo in the past, and it's wonderful for jump-starting a book. This year I have too many other things going in Nov. to do NaNo as it should be done, so I'm thinking of doing my own challenge in January. Good luck to everyone involved in NaNo!
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Suec commented: I'm in! My first year. My goal is to add 50K to a previously started novel. If I make it, swell. But I consider getting close a real accomplishment. I'd been stalled and the camaraderie, fun, friendship, and motivation of a deadline are GREAT! It makes the solitary act of writing less lonely. I'm at 4,315 words at day two, wish us luck--and stick-to-it-iveness!
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running JayTee commented: When it gets to editing time, check out the AutoCrit Editing Wizard. It makes it easy to get started with editing.
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Lari Bishop commented: This is my first year with NaNoWriMo and I love it. I've written more in the last two days than I have in the last 4 months that I was supposed to spend working on a novel. Most of it is pure crap, but at least I'm working out some plot and character issues. My goal is to have a 50,000 word outline that I can actually write to in the coming months.
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Liz Kreger commented: This is always a great way to motivate a writer. I've personally never participated (time constraints) but I know a number of people who have and they swear by it.
November 3, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Missy Lyons commented: Nano is great. I tell everyone I know about whether I have time to participate in it or not and I'm glad you focused on it today!
November 4, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running violet s commented: Good morning Barbara! Just what I needed on this dismal morning was your blog to inspire me to write! I will keep you posted!
November 4, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running John Gorman commented: NaNo is amazing. Thanks for posting on it. This will be my second time. I was a winner in 2006. Did my MFA the past 2 years. Now I'm back for for NANORAMA.
November 5, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Debbie Kaufman commented: This is my second Nano. It always gives me a boost in productivity. I'm a little behind, but will catch back up shortly.
November 6, 2009
In response to: NaNoWriMo is off and Running Anti-WriMo commented: I strongly oppose NaNoWriMo. As someone who has been querying the publishing industry for something close to six years now, I've noticed two major changes that I think can be contributed to NaNoWriMo: First, agents and publishers now find it necessary to inform the would-be-writer that a book is at least 80,000 words to be considered, something that before NaNoWriMo's explosion of popularity was understood. Second, presumably due to a massive increase in submissions, is that publishers and agents are accepting a drastically number of reduced pages for samples. Publishers that once wanted the whole manuscript now only want three chapters, agents that once wanted to see thirty pages now only want to see ten, etc.
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