I’m having trouble getting online at all today (make it all this month) because I have not one but TWO kids at home, taking part in NaNoWriMo.
Anyone out there taking part in the month-long event, which challenges participants to write an entire fast-draft novel of 50,000 words (less for the younger participants) in the month of November?
I’ve got an 11-year-old and a 15-year-old battling for both the laptop and the desktop, each with just over a thousand words written and ambitions to write 15,000 to 20,000 more. (It’s all about the quantity, not necessarily about the quality — but that’s a good way to keep the internal censor from taking over.) My daughter has been distracted at times by the chatty forums, much as I get swallowed up in email — eegadz, the nut doesn’t fall far from the tree, as my own mother used to say. But both daughter and son are doing great, while learning lesson number one about writing: that simple butt-in-the-chair time comes first, perfectionism later.
Do you love NaNoWriMo? Think it’s silly? Do you have any of your own non-NaNoWriMo November writing goals to share? (I’m revising a novel manuscript, hoping — hoping! — to have a new draft before Thanksgiving.)
Once I wrench the kids away from their screens for longer than 5 minutes, I promise to bring you a new post by Nancy Lord. Check back soon and if you’re a NaNoWriMo-er — write on!
I joined NaNoWriMo at the urging of a friend who's a buddy there (buddies help!). It seems too much for me, but I will work on my years-old novel. One fun thing, maybe for your kids, too, is the Anchorage groups's NaNoWriMo write-ins 4 times a week (Loussac Mon; Elim Cafe Tues; Denali Denny's Thurs; Side St. Espresso Saturdays). The Anchorage group is very active on NaNoWriMo!
I am participating. It's fun– I try to do an hour in the morning and an hour at night. It works– if I don't overthing everything, which is the whole reason for the event in the first place.
That's good info, Kay. Thanks and good luck.
And good luck to you, too, Christy — your discipline is an inspiration.
I would love to try the NaNoWriMo – if I were more organized writer.
Just had an idea – can I try a NaNoWriMo-December-edition?
So I can do a little planning, and then get a running start?
December sounds like a great plan…there's even an extra day. Nice way to end the year.
Daniel — the official NaNoWriMo is run in November (Google their website for all details) but of course, a person can do their own private writing challenge anytime. However, the nice thing about participating in November is that you know thousands of others are experiencing the craziness alongside you, and will cheer you along the way.