I am seriously considering doing NaNoWriMo this year. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it NaNoWriMo is the original mack daddy of Internet group projects. Every November since 1999 a bunch of people on the Internets have tried to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. That's it. I have no idea why the idea suddenly appeals to me this year. I have never really harbored fantasies about writing a novel. I've definitely fancied writing a book of short stories. Certainly a volume of poetry. But I have never been that attracted to writing the longer form. I've never had a story sing to me that way. But I figure that if I have to sit in a chair and write 1500 words a day for thirty days straight something will come of it. Even if it's just a few nice paragraphs. Whatever it is, it'll be more than I have now.
It's been a while since I've even attempted writing fiction. Thinking about the prospect of going back to it the last couple days, mostly in the car driving Lowell to and from school, I have had a lot of vignettes pop up that I'd really like to write down. But as far as a unifying idea or even broad theme I don't have one. I feel like it would be good to figure out something before I start writing but the clock is ticking. So, if you have any ideas to give away please let me know. Seriously. I would love some suggestions.
It feels weird not to do NaBloPoMo this November as it's become something of a tradition for me so I guess I'll try to do both. I think I'll just post the best sentence that I have come up with that day. It will motivate me. Dueling procrastination! My family is going to hate me.
You should probably just start writing now... That's a whole lot of words!
Posted by: Noelle | October 29, 2009 at 06:52 AM
Yep. I should. But I won't! I'm a stickler for stupid rules. :)
Posted by: LetterB | October 29, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Funny, I do have a good idea, and I'd love to pass it on. I'm not sure what your preferred genre (or voice, for that matter) is, but I think young adult lit, written FOR adults is wicked fun. I've completed a couple stories about kids in their late teens, basically acting out or being rotten, in that teen voice that is surprisingly easy to fall into... Maybe it's just me? Maybe I need to grow up, but I really think the perspective and experiences of teenagers are so formative that they're wasted on the teens reading about them. So... ?
Posted by: Mignon | October 29, 2009 at 10:44 AM
It is a great idea. I was thinking about having a teen/tween character in there. Someone with a big part in the story. I have read two books in a row now with teen characters and it's a fascinating and plastic perspective because they really are between two worlds. Also I was just reading some writing advice that said get your characters into trouble, and honestly, they're perfect for that. Thanks, Mignon.
Posted by: LetterB | October 29, 2009 at 12:56 PM
I'm signing up for both. I've never done WriMo, tried to BloPoMo a few times, with a variety of results. I think at least that can happen this year. Twitter support group? :)
Posted by: Laurie | November 01, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Oh yes! Just saw that hashtag is #NaNo.
Posted by: LetterB | November 01, 2009 at 10:01 PM