Are you ready for the challenge
Around this time of year, I find myself thinking about the “National Novel Writing Month” – often referred to “NaNoWriMo” A creative writing challenge, held during the month of November. This year will mark their eighteenth anniversary. It is a challenge that has intrigued me for many years. One I hope to do in the near future when I am not overwhelmed with trying to get my debut novel published.
What is NaNoWriMo
“NaNoWriMo” is the largest non-profit writing event in the world, with an expected 500,000 participants this year from around the globe. With its simple guidelines, it challenges anyone to write a 50,000-word novel in thirty days. Beginning November 1st and ending midnight November 30th. If you have ever wondered if you could write a novel, this is the place to find out.
Anyone that completes the task is classified as a winner. Last year they had 40,000 winners out of 450,000 entries.
The History of National Novel Writing Month
“NaNoWriMo” was started by Chris Baty in 1999 in the San Francisco Bay area, with twenty-one participants. In 2000 it was moved to the month of November, to take advantage of the miserable weather.One-hundred-forty participants signed up, including some from other countries. The following year it had grown to five-thousand participants and has grown substantially every year.
Why do NaNoWriMo
Self-gratification – The ultimate reward you are given for completing a novel within thirty days. Wow! what an accomplishment that is. You began the process and persevered. Sticking to the goal and actually succeeding.
A learning curve – Registering to participate in “NaNoWriMo” gives you access to their website and forums. A platform of endless information. You will learn what it takes to write a novel, meet other participants. You will be able to ask questions, learn how to create characters for your story, how to build plots and experiment with different writing techniques.
Setting goals and not quitting – “NaNoWriMo” teaches much more than writing a book in thirty days. Once you have signed up to take on the challenge, you are now committed. It’s time to learn the value of a commitment, set some goals and do whatever it takes to achieve them. This takes discipline, determination, sometimes a shove, but in order to be successful, you have to be driven. These are all valuable lesson we can take with us after the challenge has ended and use them to our advantage throughout our lives. At our job, with our kids, starting a business or for our own self-worth.
Do people cheat
The organization takes no precautions to prevent cheating since the only reward is to finish the novel. Sure you can cheat, but why would you? You would be defeating the whole purpose of the challenge. There is no gratification in cheating, you would just be cheating yourself.
What does it cost and do I need to register
It costs nothing to take on the challenge, but you do have to register. Registration is easy and can be done on their website. NaNoWriMo .
You can also follow them on these social media sites
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nanowrimo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nanowrimo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanowrimo/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/lettersandlightvideo
Tumblr: http://blog.nanowrimo.org
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nanowrimo/
Books to help you with the challenge
Good Luck!
If you decide to sign up and take on the challenge of writing a novel in thirty days, I wish you the best of luck. Please let me know how you do. Happy Writing!
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Love your blogs, Tina!
Thank you, Michele!
Wow, a whole novel in thirty day! Quote a goal. Best of luck 🙂
It is quite a challenge, but that’s what makes it great!
Wow never heard of it but interesting to know. Can’t believe 500,000 people from around the world participate in it!
Pretty amazing and it just keeps growing 🙂
This seems like it would be a stressful month! Sometimes the best work comes out under pressure though!
Sondra xx
prettyfitfoodie.com
Sometimes we do our best under pressure. You are right. The results can be surprising
Oh wow, that is so interesting. While I could never imagine writing a novel, much less in 30 days; however I find it very impressive. Thank you for sharing.
it does take discipline. But the reward is priceless
Wow, this looks perfect for my brother! I’ll have to send the info his way! Thanks!
I hope he signs up and I wish him luck
Wow, 30 days! I couldn’t write a whole chapter in 30 days. I admire anyone who can do this challenge.
One year I hope to prove to myself that I can meet up to the challenge
This is a great way to further exercise our writing skills. I would like to sign up!
It’s amazing what you can create under pressure. Let me know if you do and how it went
I think this is the year I’m going to enter the challenge! I really enjoyed learning more of the history through your lovely post, thank you for the extra push.
Good luck! Let me know how you do
I am hoping to take part, but I am so not ready! I wanted to have an outline written up since I have tried to pen this particularly story on several occasions already. XD
This is such a fantastic idea! I have always wanted to write a novel! This might be my chance, haha?!
I hope you get the chance. Good luck!
Part of me wants to join this challenge. I’ve written novels and then locked them away. Too worried that no one will see them as being worth the time. That, and I tend to over-criticize my own works and re-edit them to pieces…
It does take courage to make your book public. Guaranteed but Let yourself own the fear, not the fear own you. I was like this for many years and still fight the demons. I hope someday you will embark on the journey and take the writing challenge. Good luck!
I love this time of year! I’ve always wanted to try this writing challenge but could never finish or stay on track, unfortunately. I think this year, I’m going to work on completing smaller stories and focus on making a collection. I think that’d be more attainable for me!
With it only being a week away, A short story collection sounds like a good idea! Good luck
I’ve been a NaNoWriMo participant and supporter for a number of years and always enjoyed the challenge of churning out 20k+ words. I always completed the challenge. It has helped me create content for a family memoir and it’s only in the last two years that I didn’t participate for health reasons. I would recommend it to every budding writer.
Congratulations on completing the challenge. I hope your health improves soon.