National Novel Writing Month. I’m in. I think. Maybe.
October 22, 2009 by Stephanie
I like projects. I like deadlines, and I like being busy.
I get it that this might not be normal.
November is National Novel Writing Month. I’ve always wanted to enter, but the timing wasn’t right. I also didn’t have any ideas.
But the slow cooker book is done, and while I need to keep up with some publicity obligations, and answer email, I’m technically finished with all the heavy work. And the baby is coming at the end of December, early January, which means next year probably isn’t going to happen.
I’ve been playing around with a tentative plot idea for the past six months. I’ve even bought note cards and started jotting down character traits.
I have no experience whatsoever in writing fiction, and have never attempted to write dialogue, which means that whatever I turn out will be a terribly rough roughdraft. But I think that’s okay.
So maybe I should do it?
The guidelines for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) are super simple—write everyday, and finish a rough draft of 50,ooo words by November 30.
50 thousand words isn’t that many. In fact, most of the books you read are probably double that. 50k works out to 1500 words a day, which is only about 4 pages in a word processing document.
My biggest concern is getting sick. Usually when I embark upon a project, I go gung-ho and put the project first. I will get up at 3 or 4am to complete a writing assignment, or to get the majority of my work done before the kids get up in the morning. I seem to be able to focus the best at this super early time—it’s just me and the coffee maker. I tend to jump feet first into my current project, and forget to eat, get dressed, or even take the time to go to the bathroom when I’m on a roll. As soon as I meet my deadline, I crash. I end up with a bad cold, and have to take a few weeks to recover.
This is of course not a possibility right now. I’m 7 months pregnant, and my health and the health of my family needs to come first and foremost. I’m totally freaked out by this flu season, which means I’ve been ingesting tons of good-for-you foods, and taking lots of Vitamin C and Airborne. I also seem to need 10 hours of sleep to feel well-rested.
So if I do it, I’ll just find a way to squeeze in the 1500 words a day during the day, so I don’t tax my system too much.
this makes sense.
When I look back at all that I accomplished last year, I’m amazed I didn’t have a nervous breakdown. I worked 2 freelance jobs that each required 20 hours a week, did the slow cooking challenge, finished the Totally Together manuscript, and still found a way to do all the mommying, PTAing, girlscouting, and sports stuff. I also trained for and completed a half-marathon. I must have had a LOT of caffeine. I do know I didn’t sleep much.
Then I start to wonder why I even want to do this novel thing in the first place. I’m not expecting anything to come from it, other than the satisfaction of knowing I’ve accomplished this goal. Sort of like when I ran the half-marathon. I had no goals other than to complete the darn thing, and so I did. It was definitely exhillerating, and I’m glad I did it, but the only thing to benefit was my ego. Which I’m not sure is really a benefit.
I certainly don’t want to give the impression that I’m unhappy, because that couldn’t be further from the truth. I love my life and the way things are going—-I just like to have a project underway. And yes, growing a new life is definitely a project—a big one, and not something I take lightly.
So there you go. I’m in a quandry.
I’ve been tinkering with this website, which gives a rough outline on how to write a novel in 100 Days or Less, and I like the way it’s set up.
I think I can do it.
I think.
How about you? Are you in?
I so wish I was in for this year’s Nano novel. I’ve done it 5 years in a row and won each time. I”ve never done anything with the novels, but I’ve loved doing it. It’s so fun to see the stories unfold that didn’t exist at all on Oct. 31.
This year, I have too many other projects underway to even consider it. I don’t get up early or stay up late to do work because it causes migraines. I’m strictly a middle of the day person, which does limit the amount of stuff I can get done.
Give it a go and see what happens. If you get 10,000 words of a story, that’s more than you had before and it will still be fun. And it sounds to me like you are one determined woman! You may get all 50,000 words in!
5 years! wow, that’s fantastic, Tiffany! xoxo
Hey, if you write it, I’m in. You have a way with words, that is for sure!! I’ve also heard that pregnancy brings out the creativity, so go for it. Just pace yourself, and set rules for yourself, so you don’t obsess and overdo.
thanks, Jill. This is the first I’ve heard pregnancy brings out creativity—that’s great news. Hope it’s true.
xoxo
Why not just try it and see how the writing goes? You definitely have the talent, and you won’t ever know whether you can unless you try. Even if you don’t finish, you’ll have at least started and isn’t that the hardest part?!
thanks for your vote of confidence, Jennie! oxox
I’m doing NaNoWriMo for the first time this year. You can definitely do this – your writing on the blog (here and the Crockpot Lady one) is wonderful. I’m trying to look at it not so much as needing to finish all 50,000 words (because I have my doubts about if that will happen), but moreso the fact that I will have more words at the end of November than I do at the end of October.
that’s a really good way to look at it, Melissa. Congratulations for taking the plunge! xoxo
I’m in again. I’ve done it several years and I love it. I’ve won a couple of times and a couple of times life just got in the way. Last year I didn’t finish my 50K until January. But, oh well. The point is to try something new and do it with a ton of other crazy people all at the same time.
Pacing is key – as you’ve said. One of the writing groups I belong to has a spreadsheet that I love so that you can input your daily word count and see your ongoing track. It helps to see the progress, at least for me, in graphs and pies.
And in case anyone wants a mommy blog writing buddy my username is Fresca.
I’m going to try it. I have no experience. I have never done this before, but I have always wanted to. I am like you with a lot of things – throw myself in 100% – and pay for it.
I just signed up, my user name is snowbearty. I’m so nervous.
I’m doing it again, for the “severalth” time, lol. Sometimes I make it, sometimes I don’t. But there’s no penalty if you don’t, and it is a good way to get motivated. I just wish it was not November because that is such a busy month already! Why couldn’t it be February??
Not my cup o’ tea but I’d be more than happy to have your kids over in the afternoon when you’re on a roll
Just knock on the door and pick ‘em up when you’re done for the day! I’m sure you’ll finish – have you ever NOT finished something? See you Nov 6th -Jenny
I would go for it, you are already into it!.
I love the way you write. Think about it, you can tell your babe that it inspired a novel.
I did NaNoWriMo two years in a row and just mangled my hands. Unfortunately I can get close but no cigar…way too much pain. I LOVE it, however. I may try those new pain patches they have and give it a go. But I’m not sure I’ll come up with much. I still need to work on, and finish, the book I’m working on now. Good luck!!! Even if you don’t make it to 50k, it’s a great exercise for the mind and just a lot of fun.
PS I’m Fairytail3982 on Nanowrimo
I’m not a writer. Trying to write something that is not like a conversation ties me in knots. I do NaCraMaMo (National Craft Making Month) in October instead. Even with mono, I’ve only missed crafting 2 days this month. I have one more project that I am hoping to finish before the month is over.
I didn’t know about NaCraMaMo! What a neat idea. yay on completing so many projects!
I *do* think you need one more project. Kidding! But if you write it I want to read it.
I’ve always wanted to do this, but I just don’t know if it’s possible this year. I’m probably busier this November than I’ve ever been. Good busy, but still busy. I think it’s an awesome event though and I think you’ll do very well, Steph. You’re disciplined and goal oriented. One only has to look at your slow cooking commitment to know that! So, best of luck! And, your know your name is very authorish.
Shirley
I did NaNoWriMo last year and finsihed but it basically overtook my life. Like you, I got nothing out of it but the ego boost of getting it done. The two notebooks full of writing are still sitting on the bookshelve where I placed them last December 1st.
This year I am doing a lot more (coaching two cheerleading teams, trying to start my own buisness, taking a ballet class) and have a lot less free time so I’m kind of undecided. One thing I won’t do though is what I did last year…wait until 7 days into November to join. I had to write more everyday then I would have if I’d just made up my mind to join at the beginning of the month!
Yeah, I wish it started in February or something too. This is a horrific time. But I think I’m in. I’ve been hacking away at a chapter book for my son, since I’m (and he is) tired of books that either have rude little boys getting each other into trouble or Earnest Educational Narrative, with very little in between…maybe this will be my impetus to get moving…
But Stephanie, remember…you’re HAVING A BABY. Unless you can find something that will dictate your words while you’re nursing or something, that could be a really beeeg challenge…
(ooh, something that could dictate our blog entries while we’re nursing…or vacuuming…or washing dishes…dammit, someone, invent the thing!)