Sharpening my pencils…
October 28, 2015 | 
Author Writing Wednesday
Wednesday is the day I share what I have learned on my journey from writing to publication, marketing and writing and publishing again. If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer them. If you have any tips please share them with us…
NaNoWriMo Preparations
Year after year I have watched from afar in awe of writers from all over the world that have declared November; National Novel Writing Month. They devote the entire month to writing a first draft of something.
Basically, you sign up and agree to write 50,000 words between the 1st and 30th of November.
It is not as easy as it sounds, definitely a challenge.
If you have ever wanted to write a book, I encourage you to simply jump in and go for it.
http://nanowrimo.org/how-it-works
This year I am going to participate, but in my own way. I’ve joined a small Facebook group. Most of us in the group are nonfiction writers. I will be working on the second draft of my 3rd book. It’s our own spin on things but the challenge is the same, 50,000 words in 30 days.
It’s only a few days away and I’m wondering what I’ve gotten myself into?
To prepare for NANO I am:
- Practicing by writing 1500 words a day for a week.
- Formatting my manuscript, Times New Roman, 12point, double spaced.
- I almost always work from an outline. Not this time. I am scrambling to at least come up with chapter titles and opening paragraphs, enough to keep me from getting stuck.
- Scrambling to finish a few of the projects I have with November deadlines.
- Made sure I bought (a lot of) extra Halloween candy.
- I stocked up on my favorite flavored hot chocolates, French Vanilla, Amaretto and chocolate mint.
- One of my favorite writing snacks is grapes, cheeses and crackers and of course I need to stock up on wine for the late nights of writing to catch-up.
I really need this challenge and I’m hoping that win or lose I at least get myself back into a productive writing routine.
Are you in? Do you have any last minute suggestions?
Happy Writing,
Doreen
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Best of luck with your 50,000 words. It sounds as if you have prepared well. I have never participated in NaNo — once I started to, then dropped out. I don’t think it works for me, but I admire the writers who are able to do it.
I am hoping to make it through.
You are a brave woman. I could not EVEN commit to something like this at this time of year- though the late night wine seems like a good idea no matter what time of year it is. Good LUck!!!
Not brave, out of my mind!
You have my respect and invitation to call me should you find yourself babbling late into the night. It’s a tough deal but a good tough deal! Good luck! Let us all know how it went.
I really hope I can finish…
I’ve always admired those who participate in the NaNoWriMo or NaBloPoMo but I’ve not done it myself. I tend to resist being forced to do anything and think I’d actually end up being less productive. Well, at least that’s the excuse I’m using this time around. 😀
Enjoy and good luck! I look forward to the results.
I’m not good at structured stuff and rules so I hope I can finish!
I haven’t dne one of these.. one day I will but maybe not now, since I’m not leaving Santa Fe till 11/3.
I am looking forward to reading the book you have in you one day…
Go for it! Maybe I should…1500 words a day? Hmm.
It is more like 2000 words a day but completely doable.
Good luck! I participated in !NaBloPoMo last year and, although it was exhausting, I definitely accomplished a lot. It’s a great jump start, for sure.
I am hoping to get it done!