OK, are you ready for the next stage of my anti-mid-life-crisis?!? I’ve joined NaNoWriMo! You may know that today, November 1, starts National Novel Writing Month.
Why am I doing this? I’ve done hours (days? weeks? months worth?) of genealogical research over the years – I love history, I love solving puzzles, and that research combined those passions. I’ve always said I’d like to do “something” with all that research – perhaps turn it into a fictionalized narrative, something more than just a chart with names and dates. The first steps were to attend a couple of creative writing workshops over the past month. I absolutely loved them, and was surprised (shocked?) at how these exercises really got my pen moving.
The funny thing is, the characters I’ve been writing about in the workshops are not the people I’ve researched. I’m not really sure who they are – some kind of alter-ego maybe? In any case, I’m joining NaNo (as it is affectionately called) to instill the discipline of writing daily; who knows what I’ll produce (meaning, it could be crap, but disciplined crap).
I’ve committed to writing 50,000 words over the course of the month; that’s 1667 words per day on average, for those of you who don’t feel like searching thru the desk drawer for a calculator. And, even though November is about “just do it” writing, plowing full steam ahead (editing will come in December), I promise not to pad the word count with very, very, very, very, very random ramblings.
There’s a fantastic support network of other people doing it along with me. I won’t rat them out here, but, please, if you’re a participant, let me know! You can follow my progress, leave encouraging notes and links to a hidden cache of chocolate on my NaNoWriMo profile page.
Curious? NaNoWriMo has an extensive (and entertaining) FAQs page on their site. There’s no cost to sign up, you risk only your pride 
. NaNoWriMo is a non-profit organization, and they accept donations gratefully!
I’m also participating! I would love to exchange hidden caches of chocolate with you (or more realistically notes of encouragement!).
I’m under medievalbookworm if you’d like to be my buddy.
I think this is really exciting, Dawn, and I’m looking forward to watching your progress! Now, get to work!
How exciting! You are sure taking on a lot of challenges these days! But this one will push your creativity which is wonderful. I wish you the best of luck, and will be waiting to hear all about your new characters!
Dawn, I’m participating too! So glad to see that you are doing this along with me. I’m MelissaF on there if you’d like to add me as a writing buddy (and I will do the same).
Good for you and HAVE FUN!
How exciting! I’m so proud of you!!
” I promise not to pad the word count with very, very, very, very, very random ramblings.”
I love it!
Have fun. I made my quota for today so now only 29 more to go
Hey, there are worse ways to spend a mid-life crisis! You know I have all the admiration in the world for this project of yours. If you need encouragement or feedback, I am here for you!
Good luck Dawn. You can do it. Just don’t think, keep writing and never look back. I’ll be rooting for you.
I am so proud of you! I wish you the best of luck!
Good luck! I hear go-go boots help the creative process…
Woo Hoo!!! Don’t forget to keep on walking to get those creative juices flowing. I’ll be cheering you on.
Ooh! That’s great! Good luck!!!!
Thanks for all the encouragement, everyone!
Meghan, Melissa, and CMcKane – I’ve made you my writing buddies so we can track each other’s progress. So far, so good (two days in!) I didn’t start with an outline, so it’s a very organic process for me; fun to see where I wander.
Beth F – yes, I’m keeping on the walking goals, too. Too dangerous to combine the treadmill and a laptop, though
Good luck! Can’t wait to hear about your progress.
Congrats! I thought when you mentioned Naming the World that you must be writing something! I am also participating in NaNoWriMo. I am Evening Reader Writes, and I’m just getting started….:)
see what I mean with the whole overachiever thing…Good for you! Good luck
EFB
Congrats for joining! I think you will do an awesome job, and I will try to remember to post some encouraging words for you this month. Who knows, maybe next year I will join as well!
Good for you! I’m not surprised to hear this … it seems like you’ve been moving in this direction for awhile so this seems perfect for you! Have fun with it!
This is wonderful news! [Sorry, it's news to me because I'm a few days behind on my reading.] You are already a great blog writer and I’m glad to hear you are making the leap of faith over to the novel side. I suspected you were heading that way when you talked about a writing workshop you were taking. I’ll be one of your cheerleaders. Don’t worry about commenting on blogs or answering emails. Save your words and time for writing. Good luck. I look forward to reading your great American novel.
Congratulations! That is an exciting venture. I hope you post excerpts on your blog or on the NaNoWriMo site.
Oh, so many great notes of support – thank you! It’s only Day 3, and I’m on track with my word count goals. The whole NaNoWriMo philosophy of ‘just do it’ is interesting – write now, keep writing, worry about editing later. If you wait to start until it’s perfect in your head, you might never start. Those FAQs address a lot of questions and “but, why” questions (like, why emphasize such a seemingly arbitrary goal like word count – quantity – instead of quality).
Priscilla – I’ve added you as a Writing Buddy
Margot – Great American Novel … I don’t know about that. But, I’m glad to be doing this NOW, when there’s a great number of people facing the same challenge. I’ll keep you updated.
Eliza – I haven’t yet posted even a synopsis … mostly because I’m not sure where it’s going. I have a main character with an obstacle/goal; we’ll see how and if she gets there.
Good luck to you! And, keep us posted on your progress!
I’m so glad that you are joining the mayhem! I love this: “it could be crap, but disciplined crap”! I totally agree. I have to get back into the swing of writing creatively daily. I think writing for a day job makes it hard to actually go home and feel creative. That’s where I am these day, but my nano novel is coming along…nicely.
Have fun. I think it’s great.
I just wanted to reach out and say hi!! This is my first time participating nanowrimo. I’m looking for buddies. I’m currently succeeding and wish all those participating the best.
I’m blogging about it at: http://www.motivatedprocrastinator.wordpress.com
follow me on twitter@: http://twitter.com/motivprocrast
All the best!
More people for the madness – yay! I’m Lorin77 if any wants to find me over there. We’re 20% of the way through as of today. eek!
Iliana – so far, so good; thanks for the encouragement! I’m behind in the daily word count goal … but the weekend’s coming
serena – “coming along nicely” awesome! This is a great challenge!
Carol – thanks, I am having fun with it.
motivated – love your name! I’ve added you at NaNo
Lorin – you, too, have been added. Good luck and have FUN!
“anti-mid-life crisis” … hmmm.. you could write about that topic for 50,000 words =) seriously though, great job! you have 14,241 words done…
I admire you for taking this step. I am hoping to work my courage and perhaps participate in 2010. I look forward to hearing about your progress, whenever you have a chance to update us.