Friday, November 1, 2013

National Novel Writing Month - I'm in!

Call me a glutton for punishment, but I decided to take the plunge this year and give National Novel Writing Month a try. I signed up late last night after reading the rules and thinking I can do this.

I'm not sure about all the etiquette of belonging, so if showing the crest in this post before I reach my goal is a NaNo no-no, will someone let me know.

Awhile back I developed a chapter outline for a novel I've been wanting to write. Last night, between answering the doorbell for trick-or-treaters, I dug the outline out of my file and printed off a copy.

I logged on to the site even later last night and discovered I needed to write a synopsis, which was no easy task --  and was a change from where the outline was headed. The synopsis got me to really thinking about my novel, though, so when I started actually writing the first chapter I was surprised at where my fingers went across the keyboard and where the story is taking me.

Writing without editing as I go is painful for me, but I'm giving it a whirl.

Before I climbed into bed early this morning I had written over 1,000 words, then when I woke up a few hours later to get Michael off to school I stated another chapter then went back to bed and took a nap.

I've been a member for 16 hours now, and my official word count is 1858.  So, I'd say I'm off to an okay start. We'll see what the rest of the month brings. I'll post my word count weekly to try to encourage myself to continue the task.

If any of my blogger buddies are doing NaNo this year, let me know.

23 comments:

  1. Good for you. Good luck! As I told Karen Lange a couple of weeks ago, as soon as NaNo is a practical fit for me, I'm in! I find the concept exciting.

    Cheering you on!

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  2. Hi Janette,
    Thanks. It's taken me a long time to get to this point. Good luck to you!

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  3. Donna--Way to go. I did NaNo three years ago...crashed and burned almost instantaneously. Two years ago...the same thing, but I lasted a little longer. A year ago I made it to the finish line and this year, I'm adding onto that 50,000 word count.

    It sounds like you can do whatever you want, as long as you write.

    I would love to read what fiction you craft. Keep your chin up and your fingers down (and tapping away on your keyboard).

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  4. YAY for you. I'm giving it a whirl again this year too, but I'm off to a slow start. I will make it though (how's that for positive thinking?) and you will too! I'm "oberwriter" so be my buddy! And you did a fantastic job yesterday at SLWG's workshop!

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  5. Hi Sioux,

    Yay for you! I first tried several years ago and only made it for about a week. This time I'm determined.

    Hi Lynn,
    Back at ya, girl! I will definitely be your buddy. I'm MissouriGrandma. And thanks for your kind words. As always it's good to see you. Now that I'm an "official" member of SLWG and not an occasional visitor I'll be attending more meetings.

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  6. Hi Donna -- I'm doing NaNo this year. Had a successful run at it in 2011 but couldn't do it last year. Now I feel I'm on a roll with a new idea and new energy. Feels good to be writing again. I'm on there as PattyPetunia.

    I don't think the synopsis is a requirement. I hope not because I'm doing the pantser thing with no outline and no plan except the vague one in my head.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Pat,
      Thanks for being my NaNo buddy. Your word count already is impressive!

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  7. Those of you who even try this have my deepest respect! Best of luck!

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  8. I opted out of NaNo this year which makes me feel terribly guilty. To soothe myself, I plan to devote November to dusting off last year's NaNo project and trying to do something with it. Of course, it's November 3 and I haven't started yet...

    Pat
    Critter Alley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pat,
      With all you have going on, you don't need to feel guilty about not doing NaNo.

      Delete
  9. I have never tried this but would like to....someday. I need to read up on it...but it would not work with my life right now. But I wish all you gals success!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Claudia,
      Thanks. I hope to cross the finish line the end of the month.

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  10. Excellent, Donna!

    If you check out the sidebar on my blog, you'll see I have the participant logo as well as the word count widget. The great thing about NaNo is that you can do as much as you want re joining forums, etc or hardly anything - I've never even written a synopsis of my novel for NaNo! :)

    Keep going! You can do it!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Madeline,
      So far no forums, but I have two buddies.
      I appreciate your encouragement.

      Delete
  11. Hey Donna, word count of 1858 on your first day is impressive -- keep going! I agree with Tammy -- those of you who do this have my deepest respect too. Your post reminded me of the Lil Engine That Could: "I think I can, I think I can" -- I know you can -- woot woot!

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  12. Good luck, Donna. I'm in for a modified version, as I had already abou 8,000 words on my WIP.

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  13. Hi Theresa,
    Thanks for your encouragement. I'm chugging along.

    Hi Karen,
    Wow! That's impressive.

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  14. Hi Donna - I've opted out of NaNo this year, but I've done it twice before and found it to be very worthwhile. I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines!

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  15. Cheering you on in this journey! Sounds like you are making good progress. I'm with you, writing without editing can be painful, but it's probably a good thing sometimes. Especially now! LOL Wishing you all the best. :)

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  16. Donna, I'm glad you decided to do it! And when you start bringing chunks of it to critique I'll be very excited.

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  17. You're a glutton for punishment, Donna! Hahahaa!

    Seriously, I'm so excited for you! I'm working on a revision this year during NaNo--but I think I'm writing more new words than revising the old words. That's probably a good thing. :-)

    GOOD LUCK!!

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  18. Hi Lisa,
    Thanks. Your cheers will help!

    Hi Karen,
    Thanks. It really takes discipline to not edit as I go.

    Hi Marcia,
    Thanks. I'll be bringing in the first chapters in Dec or Jan, so get your red pen ready.

    Hi Cathy,
    Thanks. You're right. It is a good thing.

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