Ah, November. The 11th month of the year celebrates everything from bushy beards (No Shave November) to tasty desserts (Banana Pudding Lovers Month), and even elderly animals (Adopt a Senior Pet Month). But November also marks National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo.
During NaNoWriMo, aspiring authors worldwide attempt to pen an entire novel within the month of November. The organization operates under the idea that writers often procrastinate, and hopes that the movement will help them to jump in and just start writing. Thirty days and 50,000 words later, and whala, you have a novel! Sound simple? Trust me, it’s not. But is it fun? You betcha. Here’s one staff writer’s look at the struggle between a writer and the clock, journal entry style.
Nov. 1
OK. I’m doing this. I’m actually going to write my novel, and not just talk about it. But wait # do I want to type it out on a word processor, or kick it old school with a notebook and pen? What if I make a mistake and have to rip something out? Is Courier New an acceptable font to use or does it look too contrived? HELP I’M GOING CRAZY.
I have to admit I’m kind of nervous to do this. I never just plunge into things. I always plan. And right now, I have no idea where my novel is going. Seven different drafts, so many variances of voices. Where do I begin?
Nov. 2
After not penning a single word yesterday, I think it’s time to start. Inspiration struck while I was cleaning my room, of all times. While throwing out old things, I ran to my desk and scribbled down a sentence until a paragraph smoothly flowed out of my ballpoint pen. I don’t know if I like it, but at this point, it doesn’t matter # I’m writing. Fifty-six words down, and 49,944 to go.
Nov. 3
So, no word processor. I find that it’s easier for me to just pour out my ideas without editing them if I’m writing by hand. I sit in bed, unwind after a fun day and write whatever comes to mind. I try not to think about what I’m writing and just let my protagonist tell the story. Let’s hope she knows what she’s doing.
Nov. 4
Seriously doubting my tone now. I wonder if I’ll use this draft? I fear the story I want to tell the most is trapped inside of me like a secret I have no idea how to tell. At least I’m writing. NaNoWriMo has gotten me into a nice habit of writing daily, by hand, whether I’m inspired or not. That’s good. Often the worst words can become something great later on.
Nov. 5
So tired … can’t … write.
Nov. 6
Typed up the pages I’d written in my journal today. They totaled up to a measly 2,260 words. Now I just have to do that 21 more times. It took longer to type up these pages than I thought. I’M WASTING PRECIOUS WRITING TIME I’M SO UNPRODUCTIVE.
Nov. 7
So tired. Forcing myself to write. The inspiration faucet is dry, but I don’t care. What I’ve learned so far is to let words pour out of you uninhibited. Say what you never intended to say! Editing can come later.
Nov. 8
I wrote one sentence today, but at least I wrote.
Nov. 9
Headed North to my family’s cabin. Nothing says inspiration like a road trip to a tiny abode.
Nov. 10
Spent most of the day reading. That’s close, right?
Nov. 11
I’m actually getting excited to write now.
Nov. 12
It’s my last morning at the writing cabin. I did some character sketching and ended up filling my writing notebook with drawings of characters. A picture’s worth a thousand words, right? Fingers crossed.
Nov. 13
5,346! That’s how many words my pitiful small-town novel consists of right now. I just got an (automated) email from the folks at NaNoWriMo encouraging me to keep writing. I’m at what they call the “halfway point.” And, I’m only 10 percent done. That’s unfortunate.
Nov. 14 – 21
I would really like to say that I wrote. That I didn’t waste a week, an entire seven days of this truly glorious Novel Writing Month, but that would be a lie. Instead I did homework, took walks, ate Greek yogurt. Chalk it up to gathering inspiration?
Nov. 22
I finally eschewed the by-hand journal writing and sat down at my computer to type out as many paragraphs as possible. Even if they didn’t mesh with my story, even if they were written out of order. The result? 7,625 words. I’m obviously not going to hit my goal, but If I could just hit 10,000 before the month is over, I will have done something right. #thestruggleisreal
Nov. 23
Well, today is the day. The day I reached the glorious grand total of 9,607 words. That’s not quite 50,000. Nowhere near. In fact, my novel is only 19.214% finished. But, if there’s anything I’ve learned by participating in NaNoWriMo, it’s that actually writing works wonders. Don’t give it time. Just start creating, and see where the characters take you. And, if you find yourself with only seven days to write the last 40,000 words of your novel, give it a try. You just might make a masterpiece.
Give it a try: For more information on participating in NaNoWriMo, check out their website at http://nanowrimo.org/.
