Nanowrimo

by Adam Huddleston

Well folks, Nanowrimo is in full swing. And like the last few years, I have already bowed out. I say this not as a discouragement, but rather in the spirit of frankness. On the contrary, I highly encourage others to attempt the monumental feat known as “Nanowrimo.”

“What is it?” you may ask. The month of November has been designated as National Novel Writing month. The website www.nanowrimo.com contains a competition where contests may submit a fifty-thousand word novella. The catch is every single word must be written between November 1 and November 30. It sounds daunting, and for most it is. A writer must average 1,667 words a day.

If you are one of the fortunate ones whose life commitments allow you to attempt this task, I would give these bits of advice:

1. Begin plotting your story before November 1. Although this may not help now, it will if you participate in the future. Having a plot before you start will allow you to focus on the actual writing.
2. Use software to track your progress. Being able to see how many words you’ve written each day will keep you focused.
3. Ask friends, family members, and/or other writers to keep you motivated. Believe me, it is very easy to get burned-out and quit before it’s over.
4. Don’t worry about editing. Just get those words down as quickly as possible. December is for fixing your work.
5. Have fun!