Tuesday, November 2, 2010

National Novel Writing Month


I know that many writers wait all year for National Novel Writing Month- NaNoWrMo. The goal is to write 50,000 words in the month of November. One writer friend of mine asked, why November? I mean with the advent of the holiday season, wouldn't it be better to do this in January right after we make our New Year's Resolutions?
So I went to the official NaNo web site and clicked on History. It seems the first event was held in July 1999 and was merely a group of 20-somethings gathered together to see if they could do it. They were surprised by what they learned. Then decided it was actually fun?! So they developed a website and announced a second year. This time they moved it "to November to more fully take advantage of the miserable weather." And were shocked and surprised by the number of writers who signed up. It's sort of taken on a life of it's own since. (If you get a chance, do read the history of this thing. It is quite funny. Especially when it gets to the part about people asking what the rules were. "Rules? Didn't these people know that the 'rules' had just been a loose aggregate of contradictory statements that I'd hurriedly pulled from my butt the previous year?") Doesn't that sound like a writer? The point being they were gathering to write-not to follow rules. So, whether you are nose to the grindstone working on NaNo or simply plodding along on the work you do day in and day out, I say have fun. After all if writing isn't fun, it's not worth much else. So, best of luck and let me know if you are attempting the big 50 or merely playing along with friends. Cheers~

4 comments:

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

I haven’t tried the Nano thing – I think I’m afraid of commitment! I do think it’s an excellent idea and I admire those who do tackle it.

I’ll have to go read the history as I wondered about the November time slot, too.

~Sia McKye~ said...

Nancy, this is my first year doing this one. Wouldn't you know it, life smacked me with a bunch of time consuming but necessary stuff to do. Still, I intend to schedule like crazy and meet the goal.

So, if I'm a bit scarse, you'll know why, lolol!

Linda Kage said...

LOL! Love the history behind NaNo. Thank you so much for looking that up and providing the link. Some year I fully plan to try this NaNo business.

Nancy J. Parra said...

Hi Jane, I think anyone who finishes a novel at any time should win a prize. But that's just me. :D
Sia, best of luck. It's always like that-get a deadline and bam- you get sick, or the kids need you or the animals, etc. Crazy right? We feel your pain.
Linda, it is funny. Isn't it? Hope you are feeling better. Cheers~