Starting my own modified NANOWRIMO. Any one want to join in?

[sybylla]

I'm always too busy in November to commit to any project. But January and February are perfect. So I'm going to commit to finishing a novel I just started by February 7. (I say "modified" NANOWRIMO because I'm not starting from scratch - but I do need about 50,000 words to complete it so it still seems fair.)

From the NANOWRIMO website:

<snip>

Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.

Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.

<snip>

Wrimos meet throughout the month to offer encouragement, commiseration, and—when the thing is done—the kind of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten animals and small children.

So, to recap:

What: Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month's time. <snip>

If you're interested in joining in, post here with your plans/intentions and let's support each other as we tackle the Everest of writing projects.

[jotsy]

1. Wrote a book in my head, 1986, guess it might be time to see to it.

What did you have in mind? I don't really have much of a plan; suppose I could get to work on that and hope to hear back soon.

Canvas Heights, about an artist who sketches himself into another dimension and his wife, who discovers this and contemplates following.

Looking forward to hearing back from you soon. My timer is set for February 12.

Thanks, as I am grateful for any nudge in a prose producing direction.

[sybylla]

2. Well, I figure for starters, we can set goals and post them here.

NANOWRIMO usually does that for us, but this way we can tailor the goals to the state of our projects.

Then, we can check in on a regular basis and report on our progress in meeting them and perhaps crow or vent as the case may be. It's a bit like AA for writers, but I'm hoping it can make a difference in keeping my backside in the chair and my fingers on the keyboard.

I've just had to move my start date as well to January 19th. Nothing serious but a big-time distraction with the previous project which I thought was done. I have to spend the week reworking it.

So, starting on Monday, I will post my goals in this thread and then check in every other day to report my progress or lack thereof. (If I check back more often, I'll never get any writing done.)

That gives us an opportunity to lend support and encouragement as well as have someone who'll give us a little kick if we're not getting where we need to be.

One of the more exciting aspects of NANOWRIMO is that it's a contest. Whether you feel challenged to write more or work harder than others will depend on your perspective in this case. We aren't starting at the same time, but I'm open to a challenge at any time.

We can really make this what we want it to be. Share any ideas you have as we go along.

[nuxvomica]

3. Did you finish?

I'm curious because I know it's tough juggling the writing with everything else in one's life and Nanowrimo was a real gift because the experience was shared with so many people. I still haven't finished the novel I started in November myself.

[sybylla]

4. Nope

Actually, never got officially started. An unexpected series of events came up - including tackling a couple of freelance writing projects - and I had to postpone. As you say, it's tough juggling the novel with everything else. I guess nanowrimo is just not in the cards for me.

I'm beginning to think the best way to write a novel is to not plan for it but just do it - every spare minute you can. For the short term at least, I have no choice but to set goals that match my lifestyle instead of trying to fit my life around writing a novel.

The good news is the freelancing money will be nice.

Thanks for asking.

[jotsy]

5. And here I was in my own little corner of the world,

feeling like a flaky wench who let you down. My distraction has been superseded by a sadistic snafu of the sinuses.

Is there a chance you'd consider setting a regular weekly time to catch up on things, without huge expectations? I have ideas for big books, but believe in short stories as a path to better habits at least for myself.

Congrats on the freelance thing, I hope there's some fun in those funds for you.