National Novel Writing Month (aka:NaNo; NaNoWriMo) is about a month away! They’ve reactivated their site and I’ve been busily typing and participating in the forums.
I’ve known about NaNo for years but last year was the first time I participated. I ended up with almost 52K by the end of the month. It may have been closer to 60 if not for my bout with food poisoning the second week, but I managed to come back and meet the goal.
Unfortunately, I haven’t worked on my novel as much as I should have over the past year–I haven’t progressed the storyline at all, though I’ve gone back and edited a few chapters (the ones submitted at critique sessions) and added more, so it’s in all likelihood over the 60K mark now.
I still need to finish it though, and that’s why this year’s NaNo will be devoted to that. Yes, technically that is against the official rules, but it would be unfair of me to sit and start another book with this one unfinished. I’m going to try and meet the goal of 50K again, but I’m hoping to achieve the goal of finishing the book and typing the ever elusive words “The End.” Not sure how long it’s gonna be…I’m thinking between 110-125 K. I know that’s a rather large range but I’m not even halfway at the point I’m at now–I think I may be about three or four chapters short of it. Plus I need to add three or so new chapters to the beginning, to flesh out the relationship a bit more between my MC Kaiyo and her mother, Sophie (alias named: Sarah).
Anyway, I’m still pumped about November. I love attending the local write-ins and gathering with fellow writers in our crazy quest. (If not for these write-ins, I would not have met my wonderful critique group).
So, if you have even a smidgen of an idea for a novel, but have been pushing it off, NaNo is the time to do it! There are thousands of writers around the world that are doing the same! Though the month is often crazy and filled with some late nighters, it’s incredibly fun and worth it in the end.
Any one up for the challenge can get more information here at NaNo’s official site:
Tales from the Writing Front 
Comments on: "Countdown to NaNoWriMo!" (6)
Thank you for commenting on my post, and for introducing me to NaNo! I look forward to reading your blog more often!
I would also like to thank you for your positive comment on my post and for introducing me to NaNo!
Yes, my sad little happening was nothing short of outrageous–but I remain hopeful!
Best of luck with your novel writing, I’m working on for adolescent readers myself. I will be sure to check back often to see how you’re progressing. Thank you again! 🙂
Of course I won’t be very successful if I keep spelling like that, haha.
I joined NaNo, and added you to my buddy list!!! Thank you again, I look forward to it; of course I’m also nervous!!
So is your current a draft a complete story that you want to flesh out with the additional 60k words, or is it the first half of the story that you’re going to complete?
I know how hard it is to take a long break and pick up again in the middle. When my daughter came last year, I stopped right in the middle of my WIP for about 6 months. But I picked it up and just finished the first draft.
Let me know how it goes!
http://josephrobertlewis.wordpress.com/
Good luck with NaNo this year. That’s pretty impressive to manage to complete more than 50,000 words despite food poisoning. I’ve signed up for this year again and will start a new project even though I still need to polish off what I started last year.