Comments on: October Isn’t Just for Halloween

By: Michelle L Devon (Michy)

Michelle L Devon (Michy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:54:29 +0000

I’m so glad to see so many doing it this year! I can’t wait to get started. Thanks for the comments everyone!

By: Lisa (lablady)

Lisa (lablady) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:34:29 +0000

Michelle,

Hi! Yes, I’m all signed up! This is my third time for NaNoWriMo. The first year I believe I wrote 12,000+ and a lot wasn’t the best. Last year, barely wrote at all. This year, I’m shooting for the 50,000!

One thing I like best, though, is that it doesn’t have to be your best work. You’re not supposed to edit and rewrite during the month of November. Just write 50,000 words. Period. That’s probably the hardest thing for a writer to do. We always want to go back and “perfect” a scene or dialog or plot line. This pushes us to just sit down and write. Anything. You can edit, re-organize, re-structure and proofread in December or early next year.

Now, for ideas…

By: Jo Brielyn

Jo Brielyn — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:39:47 +0000

Well, I signed up for NaNoWriMo last year as a newbie, too. As life would have it, we had a family emergency that took me away from the end of the challenge. Still, I was able to complete over 48,000 words on a novel. That’s far more than I’d ever done.

I’d encourage anyone who’s serious about writing to just go for it. What do you have to lose?

I’ll be there again this year and I plan to win it!

By: teris

teris — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:44:55 +0000

Wow! That sounds intense! Are you going to do it?

By: Donna Thacker

Donna Thacker — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:12:36 +0000

Been curious about this, but not yet brave enough to give it a try. Just venturing in to fiction, I’ll stick with the short stories on AWF for awhile!

By: Debbie Henthorn

Debbie Henthorn — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:44:24 +0000

The man and I are debating. The market season will be ending and it would be a great time to let our eyes permanently cross as we undertake NaNoWriMo.

I appreciate the nudges, Michy!

By: WindowShopping

WindowShopping — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:31:29 +0000

Last year, I started NaNoWriMo, for the first time, a NanoWriMo virgin, if you will. With much enthusiasm, a host of characters, and very little plot line, I started my first novel.

Hmmm…. let’s just say that your “first” time, losing your virginity to the gods of creative writing, is painful – especially without adequate foreplay (in the form of a story outline! c’mon… you were all thinking something quite different!)

So, after about 5,000 words, my internal editor kicked in and asked “Is there a point to this story? Are you trying to teach, entertain, break hearts, win hearts, what?” About that time, I began re-writing and re-structuring. Sigh.

Despite a fantastic mentor and a group of dedicated comrades in arms, I lost my drive, feeling overwhelmed and under-prepared.

But this year? Well, let’s just say despite my first experience, I’m willing to try this out again. Because despite the pain and insecurity, it was pleasurable.

Maybe some champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries will get me in the mood…

Wish me luck!
Lynn / WindowShopping

By: Michelle L Devon (Michy)

Michelle L Devon (Michy) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:08:18 +0000

NaNoWriMo is going to be fun this year! Everyone should join and we’ll all be gluttons for punishment together!