November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Thinking realistically, I know it wouldn't be practical for me to fully participate in the challenge to write a 50,000-words novel in a month, especially since I have papers to write, other homework to complete, and books to review all month long.
But I like the carpe diem aspect of this challenge - "seizing the day" and refusing to put off writing goals in spite of a never-ending to-do list. So I've decided to have a nano-NaNoWriMo challenge for myself.
According to Dictionary.com, one definition of nano is -
"a combining form with the meaning 'very small, minute,' used in the formation of compound words (nanoplankton)..."
So my NaNoWriMo challenge is a "very small" one (as compared to writing 50,000 words): I'm going to edit my first manuscript. I'll be doing some writing and tweaking, and I'll be working on a novel, so I'll pretend it still counts. ;) I'm not going to be official about this or anything. I've just been putting off editing for so long that I want to use this month's theme as inspiration for finally going back to my first manuscript. If I don't get around to finishing the edits, I give myself permission to be merciful. I just want to be heading in the right direction.
How about you? Anyone out there taking on the full NaNoWriMo challenge? Anyone want to join me in doing a "nano" version of the challenge?
How about you? Anyone out there taking on the full NaNoWriMo challenge? Anyone want to join me in doing a "nano" version of the challenge?
10 comments:
I'm taking on the full NaNo challenge for the 5th time. However, I'm loving your idea. May reference that in my writing book for those years when the full NaNo isn't possible. Keep us update on your progress :)
I'm participating in the NaNoWriMo this year! I did it once--at least three years ago--and enjoyed it. Not sure why I haven't since, but i am now!
I'm really praying I can make the goal of 50k. And, since this month isn't looking TOO busy, I think I have a good chance at it!
I say all that...and I haven't started writing for today yet! :-P haha. We'll see how this goes!!
Savannah Rose,
Wow - 5 times?? That's wonderful! :) Best wishes for this 5th year and your writing goals!
And thank you for the encouragement! I'm glad you like the idea, and I'll try to keep you all posted on how it goes for me. :)
~Amber
Katie,
I haven't started editing yet, so no worries! ;) That's great that you're doing the full challenge! I'll pray for you and Savannah as you work toward your writing goals. :)
~Amber
Hi Amber:
A nano second is one billionth of a second. So if the NaNoWriMo goal is 50,000 words, then if my math is correct, a nano-NaNoWriMo goal would require that you write 1/500,000th of a word. The word ‘a’ would more than suffice. : )
I’m doing the NaNoWriMo this month. (My name is VincePlato) I’ve done it ten times before and completed it only three times. So success is not a given but then some good writing came out of the failed attempts.
Maybe next year you can make a full attempt.
Vince
Vince,
LOL! Yes, I'm definitely using "nano" in the sense of "very small, minute" (as part of a compound word) than in the mathematical, literal sense! ;) Although with a goal like that it'd be hard to fail, right? Like you said, though, our "failures" can still have a lot to offer. :)
Best wishes for your NaNoWriMo progress this year, and thanks for stopping by!
~Amber
Good idea! I'm not brave enough to give it a shot this year, but I'm hoping to get some serious writing in either way! HOpe all goes well for you, Amber :)
Faye,
Sounds great! :) Hope your writing goes well, too, and thank you for the encouragement!
~Amber
Amber,
I'm like you, setting a nano goal. NANOWRIMO is not realistic for me in this season of my life, but what I can do is 3K a week...so I'm slowly pegging away at my novel one chunk at a time.
Julia,
Fifty thousand words was a bit unrealistic for this time in my life, as well - I feel I'm already being stretched thin with blogging/reviewing on top of homework as it is. Not sure if I'll be able to finish editing this month, but I want to at least make good progress. Not much so far...but the month is still young, right? :)
Keep up the great work! As I learned last semester, just writing a little bit at a time as part of a schedule can go a long way!
~Amber
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