Writing about writing challenges
Posted on October 2nd, 2007 by Natasha
Following on from last week’s entry, here’s another possible post topic for blogs about writing.
Writing about writing: Week #2
Sign-ups opened yesterday for this year’s NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Participants aim to write a 50,000 word novel during the 30 days of November.
Have you ever participated in writing challenges like this before? Have you found them (or do you think you would find them) useful in any way?
If you’ve answered this question in your blog, please leave a link to the relevant entry in the comments box below. Alternatively you can write/paste your answer directly in the comments box.
Way To Go! for deciding to sign up this year. I entered and completed (winner) in 2005. The book is horrid and I’ll probably never revise it. I entered and failed miserably (3000 words) in 2006. That book (A Western Australia Travel Guide) IS one I will complete but I’d gone into November without enough preparation and the book needs a great deal of research to be written at all.
NaNoWriMo a wonderful experience but alas, it’s designed for NEW writing projects and I’d rather spend November focused on my work in progress (currently at 40,000 words) rather than dedicating 1300 words a day to something new.
Perhaps I could compromise and dedicate myself to writing the final 50,000 words of this book during November? But the pressure is horrid and I’d rather take things a little slower so that I have less fixing to do when it comes to the second draft.
I think it’s a fantastic way to break out of your writing shell or blow off writing steam. It’s also fantastic for taking a concept and getting a first draft together from scratch. *chuckles* Now I’m talking myself into doing it this year. lol Maybe I will, I have a few weeks to decide.
Should I or Shouldn’t I?
Hi Rebecca and thanks for all your comments!
I have to admit that I’m probably going to be cheating a bit and using NaNoWriMo to work on my current project. I’ve told myself that my first draft deadline for my second novel is the end of the year, and I’m hoping that NaNo in November will give me some motivation - surely the fact that so many people I know are writing will prompt me on to do the same! Because I’m not following the rules, I won’t submit my work and I won’t claim to be a ‘winner’, and I think that’s okay… Each to their own of course.
I attempted NaNoWriMo back in 2004, and got about 17,000 words in before my wrists started to ache so much that I had to give up my speed-writing efforts. Well done for managing to complete the challenge in 2005, and - NaNo or not - good luck with your current project!
I’ve posted an answer to this question on my blog here.