Your Sentences on Celebritology

Earlier this month I read a Washington Post article on National Novel Writing Month.  In it they said that if you're participating in NaNoWriMo you can submit your best ('strongest') sentences and they might be posted on their Celebritology page.

They'll try to select some of the best passages to post, even if you're not a celebrity - yet.

Here's the link:  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2010/11/nanowrimo_taking_the_novel-wri.html

National Novel Writing Month Tips on GalleyCat

Having trouble moving forward with your NaNoWriMo goals?  Take a look at some of the tips on GalleyCat's Website.  Tip #2 also has a link to another site by Larry Brooks with some good advice for NaNoWriMo and novel writing in general.  

I really liked it when Brooks said, "Make your NaNoWrMo story this year the birth of something bigger than the contest itself.  Make it a learning exercise, a birthing, a project you care enough about to nurture and develop far beyond the month of November."

To me that is the point of participating in National Novel Writing Month.  To push yourself to go the extra mile with your writing.  To getting more done by spending more time with your story.  To become more invested in your project mentally and emotionally.  And, if necessary, to be prepared to carry on with it long after the 30 November deadline.  To make your story become the best work of fiction that you can.  

And if you can make the 50,000 words too - that's awesome!

Are You a NaNoWriMo Writer?

November is here again and with it comes National Novel Writing Month. Something I find very cool, but have never been able to complete to the 50,000 word novel in 30 days.

I won't stop trying, but I don't think I'll make it this year either. I celebrate the month a little differently. I set my own goal. Something that will be a stretch for me and yet be something I see as being attainable for what's going on in my life at the time. Last year's goal was 20,000 words on my current novel.

Did I make it?

No. But I came awfully close and I wrote more that month than I had ever done in one month previous to that time.

This year has been crazy and so my goal is not nearly as ambitions. 8,000 words on my current project. Why the difference? My life has seemed very scattered since May and I've been struggling to get my normal amount of writing in since. Also, I usually take one day off every week in November so I can have at least four days to devote to writing. This year I've only taken off one day for NaNoWriMo because of how much time I've already taken this year. I'm hoping I'll get back on track with my normal writing habits (1,000 words per week) plus a little extra in honor of NaNoWriMo.

Here's a nice blog titled 5 Pieces of Advice for Those Writing a Novel in 30 Days that expresses different perspectives on NaNoWriMo. It was posted on The Atlantic Wire this past Thursday.

I love NaNoWriMo because it makes me push myself a little harder and shows me that I can do more. If you've ever made the 50,000 words - or make it this year - I'd love to hear about your experience.  So whatever your goals for NaNoWriMo - I wish you luck!