The Fleeting Hope of NaNo
Once I’d heard of the annual craziness that is National Novel Writing Month, it took me a couple of years to feel ready to jump into the challenge of writing 50,000 words in one month. In 2004 I joined, writing the first draft of a YA fantasy spoof, Quest To Be Queen. And yes, I managed to capture all 50,000 words, even though the story was seriously scrambled! In 2005 I wrote Joy Comes in the Morning, which went through several revisions in 2009 and is currently sitting on the desk of a small publisher. In 2006 I wrote a YA fantasy, Off Beat.
And like so many things in life, once I’d proven to myself three times that I could do it, the challenge waned and I didn’t feel the need to participate anymore! Well, not entirely true. In ’07 and ’08 I was in the middle of revisions, and in ’09 I’d just completed a 57K 6-week rewrite and needed a break!
And here it is, two weeks (and a smidge) before the crazy NaNo starts again, and I want to be on board. But which story of the three–in three different genres–vying for attention? Time will tell.
Go for it, Val!
You doing it this year, Bonne?
Last year was my first. I just squeaked by, making 50,000 in the last hours of the month. I’d like to do it again this year, but I really, really need to finish the revisions on last year’s Nano project. So I’ve signed up again–if only to find out about the write-ins–but I’ll be a Nano Rebel this year rather than starting a new story.
You rebel you! On one of those NaNos I left a partially finished novel to start a new one for November. And then had two novels to finish, neither of which seemed enthusiastic about getting to the finish line. Learned my lesson!
I’m seriously thinking about doing NaNo this year – first time in a while I’ve had a book in the right place: not started (thanks to a hard drive crash – oh, well, it was just barely started before that).
What kind of novel, Katie? Maybe I’ll see you on the boards over there!
Hey Val!! I signed up this year. I thought I was going to write one thing, but a story came and bit me on the behind the other day and won’t go away. With all 4 kiddos in school this year, I might actually be able to make it. It will be a sci-fi.
Wow, Deb, the twins are that old already? When did we last talk, girl? Maybe I’ll see you on the boards!
Yep, they are four this year! I can’t believe it’s been that long, either. They are in pre-k 4 days a week from 8:40-2:00. I quit my job, so I am HOME!! It’s taken me a while to get used to it, but it’s wonderful!