Thursday, October 29, 2009

Somewhere Out There Nanowrimo Calls

In skating over thin ice, our safety is in our speed.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tis the time of year once again for Nanowrimo. What could this be? Some weird holiday? A wrestling match.

Wrestling match indeed. A match of mind over matter. A commitment to the writing you often say you want to accomplish. That book you are going to write - some day.

Nanowrimo is the yearly Write a 50,000-Word Novel in a Month project. Sort of like driving cross country without stopping to pee. Excellent way to begin a new novel or further one you've already begun. Or use it to write that non-fiction book proposal floating in your head. Modify as needed.

Anyone out there care to join me?

If this is your first time at this venture, I suggest a little reading material. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. From her book you can learn about the "shitty first draft" and not get stuck on revisions while you're pounding out your story. Your book will need tremendous work when you're done because it will be complete shit. And that's okay. Maniac writing sometimes get us where we need to go, just like timed writings do on a much smaller scale.

I also recommend practicing with Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. Natalie teaches us to park our butts and write, write, write. Go find a coffee house with a table in a dark corner. Write with your back to the crowd.

In my unfinished novel, my character has been stuck in the middle of a prairie in South Dakota since last Nanowrimo. I think she has suffered enough. So have I with the guilt of stranding her. Lily, come November 1, you shall be set free. (Or at least hitch a ride on an Airstream that will take you in even thicker.)

Please check out the website Nanowrimo Often local groups will gather in cities throughout the US to write/discuss progress together. Great opportunity.

A note of encouragement - some days it flows and some days it plugs up, a lot. But there are always plungers to clear the muck.

Take a step. And another. Don't be scared. Good luck.

P.S. Really good things happening over at my friend's site No One's the Bitch.
Something to do with Dr. Phil ...

33 comments:

  1. All right! A challenge for November to finish that story. Great idea.

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  2. Best of luck to you Julie! Write like a madwoman!

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  3. I love your quote selection - fits the theme so perfectly. Good luck to you and Lily during your mad scribbling/typing next month! May you find the ending soon.

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  4. Reminds me of a manuscript I have that's collecting a little dust.

    Keep us informed on "your" book! :)

    Best wishes!

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  5. Wow!! Nanowrimo sounds awesome!! Thanks for the link!! And good luck with your writing!!

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  6. I have the utmost respect for anyone who attempts this - it seems overwhelming. I'm rooting for you, Julie, and can't wait to hear how it goes.

    But I'll probably have to wait until December to hear. :-)

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  7. Hmmm...Best of luck to you, for sure! Lily needs you to get her out of that prairie. You'll do 50,000 easily.

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  8. That looks like a creative way to find encouragement--I'll check the site out.

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  9. I have never heard of this but it sounds fun and like quite the challange. I will have to go check out those sites that you mention. Good luck...November 1st is just around the corner.

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  10. You're really going to do it again this year? You are braver than me. I'm too busy with a new boy, and besides, Winter said I get a writing reprieve till the newness wears off. But don't worry, I won't wait two years... (I do want to hear more about your new writing project though.) Good luck, NanoGirl!

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  11. Sounds like a good goal ... of course, I am not a writer, so have absolutely no concept of what it takes to write a novel! Good luck and have fun!

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  12. Sometimes we need a goal like that to get us launched..... Good luck with your novel.

    Thanks for your kind comment over at mine!

    Nuts in May

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  13. Good luck!! I'm doing the far easier and less stressful NaBloPoMo in November. I don't think i could ever successfully finish NaNoWriMo.

    Good luck!! *hugs*

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  14. Good Luck with the writing!

    I'll stick with trying to get on top of my blog.

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  15. Someday............but not this day. *sigh*


    Good luck! I know that you've got it in you.

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  16. I'm not doing NaNo per se, but trying to refocus on my WIP and bang a lot out.

    Best with your project!

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  17. This is just what I needed to get my rear in gear! Unfortunately I am leaving to help my two daughters move in a week. Each are going in different directions, and I think I am baby watcher, which makes writing impossible. But I'm ordering those books, right now. Good luck with Lily in South Dakota!

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  18. I ought to do this. I will have a look. BTW LOVED Bird By Bird, and love Anne L

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  19. Man, someday I'd love to do Nanowrimo but this isn't the year for me. I think it sounds fabu. Looking forward to seeing what's going on with Lily and the Airstream. And Bird by Bird and Writing Down the Bones ... what legendary writing bibles they are! Love them both! Good luck with Nanowrimo!

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  20. So many people writing about Nano! it sounds like so much fun!

    Good luck to you *smiling*

    And I love Bird by Bird -haven't read the other one, though

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  21. Julie, thanks a lot for your interest in my blog - it looks like we have a few things in common. I've come across the NaNoWriMo idea a couple of times, but in typical procrastinator fashion, I needed to hear the message at least three times before I really paid attention. Hmm, Nov 1 is Sunday, right? Yeah, I can do that.

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  22. I applaud your yearly recommitment and the fact that Lily--now probably "Loony"--will finally get dragged off the prairie.

    Have a fruitful month with it, chica.

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  23. Yahoo Deborah. I have a taker.

    This will be most fun together Feel free to email me anything to bitch, moan, complain, or boast.

    We're on. Sunday I'll be writing from the baseball park watching my son play, with a between game visit to a bar that's showing the Green Bay/Minnesota game. (NO writing there.) So the struggle will go throughout the month. Anyone else?

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  24. CairoTypo - I know a few going the poetry route. Please send me messages and I will highlight your progress.

    More?

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  25. "I'm not doing NaNo per se, but trying to refocus on my WIP and bang a lot out."

    Well, Janna? Count it out. I have friend who sells how far she gets on Ebay to those want to fulfull the 50,000. She sells pretty cheap.

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  26. I like how you gave us all permission for our writing to be a bit mucked up - that is for sure a big blockage. Fear of failure, gotta do it perfect - Great perspecitive to get past that mess. You encouraged me today - thanks

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  27. I have seen references to Nanowrimo on a NUMBER of different blogs this week. I am so tempted...

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  28. I'm in, Julie! And I might see if there are any takers for my words on ebay again! Sort of a ghost nano writer I guess. Beth

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  29. Wow!!! What a challenge!!! I'm all admiration!!!! Writing Down the Bones is a terrific book!!!! I'll be looking forward to hearing of your progress with Nanowrimo!!! And I'll be cheering you on!!!! You go, girl! I'm totally inspired by you!!! ~Janine XO

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  30. Writing Down the Bones...what a primer that one is! Good luck to you on this...we'll all be reading.
    Sandi

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  31. Can't comment. Gotta go get started on my new novel.

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  32. I think that those who write a book must be very brave.

    Kudos to you, and I hope I'm able to meet Lily someday.

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  33. Digging the tree faces over here. Reinds me of the apple throwin' trees in the Wuzard of Oz.
    Hey, thanks for the award. I'm battling through the computer problems to finally pass it along.

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