I don't know if I'm nuts, but I'm going to join the craziness that is the National Novel Writing Month! (Thank you, Monda, at No Telling, for introducing me to this insanity!)
This is a project of the non-profit Office of Letters and Light, where unsuspecting wanna-be writers sign up to join in the madness of writing a 50,000 word novel in one month. You almost have to read about it to believe it--and please do: at the NaNoWriMo website.
I'm not sure if it's an online competition or a source of encouragement, but all involved are expected to put out about 1667 words per day in the pursuit of the goal. But more importantly, to not "self-edit," to toss away all expectations of "quality" writing in pursuit of pure output. For many, (probably like me), this could be the chance of a lifetime (or at least this year)--it could be the "push" we need to simply get past the myraid of distractions, excuses, and insecurities we need to overcome to actually get something written.
I think the plan is to schedule an hour or so each day of November to sit down and pump out the words. Since I signed up, I've been trying to think of a plot...or even an idea to start me out. Steven King's book "On Writing" described his process as basically coming up with an idea and sitting down and writing about it. Maybe that will work for me!!
Anyone else have the desire to just give this a try? (How about it, Mom?) The concept of having a 50,000 word novel scrached out by December first is quite enticing, isn't it?
Erin, you're courageous but a little nuts! No, I won't enter this particular contest, but I'll be happy to read your 50.000 words.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your novel. I don't think I would have time for it, but it will be interesting to see what everyone writes.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on it.
Pam
Oh, and on the guineas, we don't have to feed them at all. The roam the whole farm. They do have the feed in the barn left over and spill out of the feed troughs. If we ever thought they needed the extra feed, we would put it out for them, though.
I'm actually going to do it this year. I signed up last year, but things got in the way. This year, I'm making it a priority.
ReplyDeleteI haven't a clue what I'll end up with, but am looking forward to the process.
Kudos for you for signing up. We'll have to compare notes at the end.