NaNoWriMo 2013 - It's That Time Again

For the past 2 years I've taken part in NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, and I'll be doing so again this year. YIPPEE!!! For any of my readers doing NaNo, I love writing buddies so look me up - kristin73. Look at the bottom for a small blurb about what I'll be writing during the month long bout of creative madness.

NaNoWriMo Website

Who doesn't know what this hoopla is about?

Okay, here are the basics:

You have 30 days, the month of November, to write a 50,000 word novel, or 50,000 words of a novel. 1667 words a day, every single day for 30 days. Jiminy Frickin' Crickets!!! Talk about a group of masochistic individuals. Why would anyone subject themselves to this craziness?

Insane, right? But here's the catch for someone like me, writing in a sprint makes it impossible for me to keep editing what I just wrote over and over and over and over... okay, well, you get it. Plus, I've met some wonderful, funny, talented people in those 30 days. The twitter word sprints are fun and challenging. And the pep talks by authors like Neil Gaimon, Rainbow Rowell, and James Patterson are inspiring to say the least.

What do you get at the end of the 30 days?

Hopefully 50,000 words that can be added to, then shaped and molded into some sort of novel. Yeah, there are some pretty cool prizes if you meet the 50,000 word count, but the best prize of all is knowing somewhere in your head you managed to create a few characters, dropped them into some creative scenarios, and came up with something all your own.

What do you do with this book you've written?

At the end of November, I would hope you edit before you dream of doing anything else because as much as I'm praying this will be the year that my NaNoWriMo work of art turns out perfectly and I can start querying agents, I'm dreadfully doubtful. After that, or even on December 1st, you never have to look at your manuscript again. Or you can edit, edit, edit... then stick it in a drawer never to be seen again. OR... you can query agents and publishers or self-publish. Heck, maybe just keep it around for friends and family to read (but I'll be the first to admit I've never let any of my family read a single word I've written, never). Whatever you decide, you get to know you wrote a novel!!! How awesome is that?

What am I writing?

Well, this is something I've never done before. I've never admitted to anyone other than my critique partners what ANY of my books are about, but this once, I'll let you in on my secret.

A talented musician has a secret he had hidden from the world... until he didn't. His fight with schizophrenia won. The world turned on its axis. The stage, the rush, the fame--it's all Holden's ever known and it's gone, taken because of a rash decision. Ironically, all his worst decisions happened during those sane times, like running off the only woman he had ever loved or deciding ten years of medications had cured him. Someone as talented and adored as the Holden Blake could never fall from his perch. Right?

A fictional tale of the real life struggles of people with mental health issues and the ones who love them.

(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

NaNoWriMo Update

At 5:32 P.M. CST, I put the last sentence to my very rough draft of a novel for NaNoWriMo...ending the challenge with 50,301 words. I am now putting it in a drawer for two weeks and concentrating on a few other projects.

I want to start revising this instant but I need time away from my characters. They are sort of like children that have been under my feet for too long. Once revisions start, perhaps I will share a line or two with you. For now, it is best that it stay locked away for your safety. It is very possible that it would cause your eyes to bleed.

Thanks to all of you who have had reviews put on hold because of my endeavor. I will now be reading like a maniac to get caught up.

Hello from the World of NaNoWriMo

Helloooo, everyone out there in the bloggosphere. I wanted to write a quick post and let you know you were not forgotten. I have several posts scheduled throughout the month and have way to many reviews to write...so don't think I am hiding under the covers or have floated into outerspace. I am just conquering new horizons...one day at a time, approximately 1,667 words a day.

What am I doing that has me beating my head against the pillows, you ask? (Contrary to popular belief, I am not a masochist...yet. Ask me when this month is over and I might have a different story.) I am attempting my first NaNoWriMo. What the heck is NaNoWriMo? Well let me tell you, other than standing for National Novel Writing Month, it is 30 days of marathon writing.

Beginning the first day of November and lasting throughout the month, tons of severely deranged and sadistic writers sit in front of their computers or wield pens and paper, furiously attempting to write 50,000 words in order to cross a finish line. Why? Well, you see, that is the crazy part. Partially to say they fought a good fight and won the battle; but more importantly, to have a finished first draft of a novel sitting on their desks. Wow, I know. Right? What an accomplishment.

Right now I am only beginning to realize the effort this takes anyone to do...much less all those authors I admire so much who churn out series after series of fabulous books. Many of which have several series going at the same time. What the hell?

As the month progresses, maybe I will share a line or two from my work-in-progress, but for now...I am only going to let you know that I am meeting my goals and having massive amounts of fun doing it. There are write-ins and workshops where you meet others in your area who have chosen to climb Mount Everest right along with you. Who knew in my little town that 264 people set out to complete the awesomeness that is NaNoWriMo?

I would love to hear from anyone participating. I am always looking for writing buddies and can be found under kristin73. I wish everyone luck and encourage anybody that feels they have something to write to jump on in. It's not to late...