Monday, April 16, 2012

A-Z Challenge: N is for NaNoWriMo

N is for NaNoWriMo

What is this strange acronym, you ask? National Novel Writing Month, of course!

Each fall, scads of writers gather together in spirit and attempt to pen 50,000 words of a novel between November 1st and 30th.

It doesn't cost anything, and all you get for "winning" is the right to brag and the knowledge that yes, you can write a novel.

I love it.

I've participated three times, two of which I've actually "won", and I plan to do NaNo for the rest of my writing career.

Why is it cool?

Well, first, there's the whole shared energy thing. When millions of people across the globe focus their energy towards the same goal, amazing things happen. Communities spring up, writers make connections, and everyone gets to ride the amazing tide of word count energy.

Also, there's something profoundly liberating about writing without revision. There simply isn't TIME in NaNo to agonize over each perfect verb: you simply have to get the story down. I love this: editing, for me, takes place after a book is "complete", and NaNo reinforces my own style of fast writing followed by lengthy revisions.

Both years that I've finished NaNo, I've written something that I never knew was inside me. One of those stories was the first I ever queried (it didn't move, but I learned so much from the entire process).

Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo? What sounds appealing about it? What about the whole idea scares you?

Remember to visit the other A-Z challenge participants!

14 comments:

  1. I love the idea of Nano, I really do. But in the past I've either gotten to a point in my project where I have to put on the breaks and retool OR I'm so busy on another project that I don't have time for Nano on top of it. There may be a time in the future where it will be a helpful process, but one of the biggest things Nano can help with is showing people they CAN write a novel. I already know I can do that outside of Nano...

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    1. Bluestocking,

      See, that's the problem: no putting on the breaks, and no other projects in November ;) I've found it to be a great brain break for me, and even though (like you) I know I can write a novel regardless, I love the chaotic energy that NaNo creates.

      As long as what you are doing is working for you, that's what counts. It's all about the process, right?

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  2. I haven't done it, and am not likely to. I don't like to write that fast. But I know it's a big deal! I'm trying to visit all the A-Z Challenge Blogs this month. My alphabet is at myqualityday.blogspot.com

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    1. You might surprise yourself! I didn't think I could write that fast, either. But even if you don't NaNo, make sure you find wild abandon and delight with part of your writing process: that's the gift NaNo gives me each year, which is why I love it so much.

      Thanks for dropping by!

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  3. I've been thinking about doing NaNo for a couple of years, I think time will allow it now. I love the idea of throwing it all out there, I can only imagine how many pieces you'd find afterwards.

    I see your sticker on the side, very cool! :)

    ps~Thanks for visiting. I've fallen behind with the challenge, but I'm quickly catching up.

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    1. It is a beautiful month of chaos: hope you join us this year! I'll certainly cheer you on.

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  4. never joined nano before, but I did my own version August last year when I finished a novel in 3 weeks.:)

    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com
    Happy A-Zing!

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    1. WOW!! That's impressive: are you still working on that book?

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  5. I love NaNo. It's what gave me the kick start to jump from fanfiction to original fiction. I've taken part and won twice. I'm with you, I'm (hopefully) going to do NaNo for the rest of my writing career. I work well in those intense burts and find I'm more productive. Actually, I apply a NaNo like mentality at other times in the year to get projects completed.

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    1. Me, too: but the mentality seems to work best in November! Maybe it's the accountability: if I approach a novel in May like it's NaNo, I have no one checking in on my progress. But in November, the world is watching! Glad it's been a positive experience for you!

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  6. I love NaNo. It's the community aspect that draws me in; I love that other writers are out there cheering me on! I've done it a few times and won each time, thanks in large part to that community.

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    1. Dana, community is a powerful thing. Have you ever participated in write-ins? The closest I have come is writing with friends during NaNo: maybe 2012 is the year I attend an actual event!

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  7. I've never participated in NaNoWriMo, but I can see how the hype and sharing of one's progress, the networking and the flow can be helpful to a writer. :) Maybe I'll consider it when I finish my monstrous WIP, just to try something new.

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    1. It's great for shaking you up: I'm a huge fan of trying new things!

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