November 25, 2007

National Novel Writing Month


The next best thing to reading a novel is writing one so I have joined the ranks over at the NaNoWriMo site. I pledge to write a 50,000 novel in the month of November. I don't know that I can actually succeed but that is entirely beside the point. I will give it my best effort. I'll keep you posted as to my progress.

  • Nov. 2nd - 1851 words
  • Nov. 5th - 5097 words
  • Nov. 6th - 6657 words
  • Nov. 8th - 9153 words
  • Nov. 10th-10,220 words

Update-I'm afraid I got stuck at the 10th and just can't write any more. It was a great experience and I know a little more now than I did when I started. Like that plot doesn't just happen to everyone as I've heard it for some people. I will be reading up on the art of developing and writing for the next year so I can be sure to come up with something interesting for next year. Thanks to all who encouraged me along the way, especially to my dearest, the Theologian.

13 comments:

Eva said...

Good luck!

a.book.in.the.life said...

Good Luck! I have started as well and am just over 5000 words. I am really enjoying it but my plot keeps changing as I write! How are you doing?

Petunia said...

So far so good. If I write for 2 hours each night, after children go to bed, I should be able to finish on time.

5000 words already? Keep it up.

a.book.in.the.life said...

Thanks, its half past midnight here and I have suddenly got the urge to right again so I have just managed a little bit more. I have my mum coming to visit for a week on monday so know that will reduce my writing time so I think i am trying to get as far ahead as possible!

a.book.in.the.life said...

Oh my goodness- write not right lol! Good luck with getting the time to write yourself. xx

Eloise said...

Best of luck with it, I'm having a go at this madness too! I'm not looking forward to mid-November when my plot ideas run out!

CJ said...

Petunia -

Welcome to the November insanity known as NaNo. This is my fourth year and I've succeeded two out of the three previous years.

If this is your first time, here's a little advice - it's about the journey, not the destination. If you don't hit 50,000 you still 'win' because you tried! Also, don't get bogged down in making your story perfect. That comes next month.

Good luck!

cjh

Petunia said...

Book-I knew what you meant. =) There are so many distractions to get in to way. You sound like you are handling them with forethought and determination.

Eloise-I am worried about running out of ideas tomorrow. lol It's taking a lot more than I thought it would.

CJ-thanks for the advice and encouragement. I am trying my hardest to not get hung up on the flow and grammar but the home schooling mommy in me is making it hard. But the goal is the word count, not the writing. I'll keep it in mind.

Kelly said...

My friend is doing this since he is unemployed.

1morechapter said...

Great progress so far! This sounds so fun. Maybe I'll try next year.

Michelle
http://1morechapter.com

Petunia said...

Utopia-I'm not employed in the traditional sense but I lead an extremely busy life with home schooling. But it only takes about 1.5-2 hours a day. I do it to relax at the end of the day. It does eat into my reading time though.

3M-I would encourage you to do it. You might take the year to come up with ideas for a story. That's the hardest part.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Petunia, this is awesome! I had thought about doing this but just started a new job. Good luck!

Petunia said...

Thanks Trish. I don't know what I'm doing but I've got 3 friends IRL who are doing it too so I am giving it a try. I need to work a bit faster though.