Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Ten Reasons to sign up for NaNoWriMo

I love NaNoWriMo, but this year I won't be able to participate. :( In honor of all of the NaNoWriMo participants and everyone considering signing up this year, I'm reposting my "Ten Reasons to sign up for NaNoWriMo" from October 2011. Enjoy!

1. It’s fun to see the look you get when you tell someone you’re writing a 50,000 word novel in a month.

2. Those characters who have been talking in your head will finally have a purpose.

3. Writing fast and furious can release creative juices you never knew you had.

4. It gives you an excuse to procrastinate on things like cleaning the toilets.

5. It’s the perfect opportunity to write that weird time travel, pirate, romance novel that has been plaguing you.

6. You’ll have something to do while everyone else is taking a nap on Thanksgiving afternoon.

7. At the end of the month, you can say, “I wrote a good book!”

8. It’s a great way to get to know other crazy writers.

9. For years, you’ll know that 50,000 / 30 = 1,667 (because that will be your daily word count goal).

10. You don’t have to edit or work on a synopsis for an entire month.

Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo?

18 comments:

  1. Cleaning toilets and not working on a synopsis are tied for my favorites! :D
    ~ Wendy

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    1. If I had to choose, I think I'd write a synopsis over cleaning a toilet, but I think some might disagree with me. :)

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  2. I haven't participated, but last year I played along with my own goals. I will probably do the same this year.

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    1. I'm in the same boat. I'll just pretend I'm NaNoing even though I'm editing.

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  3. I think I'll try this in January- From Oct. 8th- December 25th- we celebrate 10 birthdays! (7 kids,big family- adding grandkids) :)

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    1. I think I'll be writing my fast draft in January too. We can cheer each other on!

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  4. I've tried to participate in NaNo but it doesn't quite work for me. And here's why: I hate having to report my word counts! And I don't like the temptation to compare myself to others who have higher word counts. I know, it's silly. But the commitment of reporting my word count each day is just too much for me. Haha!

    That said, I love how NaNo works for so many others--really challenging people to hit those word counts and end the month with something to show for it! And truthfully, I have a pretty big writing goal for November which will have me writing at least 50,000 words, too. I just won't be reporting them online. Hehehe...I know. I'm weird.

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    1. Figuring out what works for you is the most important thing.

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  5. I haven't had a chance yet. I first heard about NaNoWriMo a few years ago, but since then I've either been in the middle of writing a book or in the editing stages. I'll be in the same situation this year too. =/ Maybe I'll finally be able to participate next year though! It sounds like fun and I could really use that kind of motivation.

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    1. That is my problem this year. I have to get another book finished before I can start the next one. There's always next year.

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  6. LOVE it! Especially crossing out "good." LOL! I think I'm going to do it this year. It just happens to correspond with where I'll be after plotting.

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    1. Good luck! I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines.

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  7. I did Nano last year and it was great for motivating me to keep my word counts up! This year, I've got a great accountability group (ahem) to help with my goals, which are more scene-count-related at this point. :)

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  8. All great reasons to participate, especially the cleaning toilets part ;-) I understand the satisfaction and appeal of participating in NaNo, but I cannot commit to it this year. I've recently moved across the country and am spending time adjusting. Maybe next year!

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  9. Aw, this makes me kind of sad. I haven't participated yet, and I thought this might be the year because of how my story projects were lining up. But I'm shifting focus so I don't think I'll be able to do it now. Maybe I'll do my own NaNo in January. :)

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  10. Top Reason you left off - If it was easy everyone would be doing it. All those people that come up to you guys that say, "You know I've been thinking about writing a book." Yeah, they're not doing it.

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  11. Yes, yes ... I'm signing up for it. Here's hoping! :) :)

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  12. Okay, you've talked me into it! Great (and super convincing) list you've got there! :)

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