It took a lot of time and energy, and my kids needed me every time I reached a crucial scene. I swear it became the busiest month of the whole year! I haven't even considered doing it again.
Until today.
I'm not going to sign up, because I've decided to take away the word count element. Instead, I'm going to write pages. 500 of them.For some reason, I started writing my new project on used/old scrap paper in giant writing. On average I'm probably writing slightly more than 100 words on each page.
500 pages, 100 words each... You see where I'm going with this, don't you?
I'm only a day behind the official participants, but I've started off quite solidly. And perhaps, if I'm focusing on the length, I won't focus on the story, on how silly it is, on how I have to start again because it's so awful, on how I need to have the perfect word in order to move on.
So, that's my November taken care off, what are you up to?
Are you taking part in NaNoWriMo or cheering others on from the sidelines?
And importantly, what snacks should I stock up on?
That's smart to set a goal you know you can reach rather than kill yourself. You can do it! And stock up on Hot Tamales.
ReplyDeleteEven smarter in light of an interesting short story offer - they can count towards my 500 pages, rather than focusing on one novel. I have no idea what a Hot Tamale is, but I'm cold and it has the word 'hot' in it, so I'm in :-)
DeleteI think it's great that you modified Nano to meet your personal needs and desires, Annalisa. Flexibility often makes all the difference, and it might even help you fulfill the goal of publishing your book, maybe even faster than if you'd signed up for Nano. I often find that if we like what we do, we tend to do it better and more efficiently.
ReplyDeleteNo nano for me. It's all I can do to keep up with the projects I've got going right now. I will probably spend a lot more time working on my book, but I'm also going gangbusters working on my blogs too :)
Yes, you're certainly upping your game on your blog - so many interesting posts and reviews coming from you at the moment :-)
DeleteI'm glad you like what's happening there. I'm having a wonderful time working on my writing blog at present, and simply can't find enough time to read, write and publish everything I want to keep adding there. Still, I'm doing what I can and also working behind the scenes, to clean up all my old posts and make a few new pages. I hope your writing is going well for you this month, and that your nano modifications are perfectly formed to your writing goals and wishes. Happy Thursday, Annalisa :)
DeleteI love the idea that you're taking the NaNo idea and tailoring it to fit your needs. Very good idea! I wish you much luck with the 500 pages! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lexa. I suddenly have a second project on the go, so it's nice I'll still be working towars those pages :-)
DeleteI'm a firm believer in doing whatever it takes to succeed so good on you, Annalisa:)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Mark - to succeed and enjoy :-)
DeleteHi Annalisa - I totally agree with you ... we need to adapt, if that's what makes life easier for us to achieve and get to our desired end. Great idea ... and good luck - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks Hilary. No writing today, having too much fun shopping and drinking hot chocolate with my sister :-) That's adaptation!
DeleteIt's November? Still feels like October.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!! I'm so glad to hear you're writing!
I was travelling home at 4.30pm this afternoon and it was so dark it felt like mid-December :-( I wish it was October!
DeleteGood luck! I've tried NaNo before but never won. I think it's a great idea to come up with your own goals.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll ever be able to do it properly again - it was a stressful time!
Deletereasonable goal and just have fun with it, however silly. Don't re-read or edit. Keep moving forward. I'd eat goldfish crackers - fun and not messy and not too fattening. At the end of the day -you may have a piece of chocolate. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteGoldfish crackers? They sound interesting, I like the sound of chocolate - and that you didn't stipulate the size of the 'piece' :-)
DeleteGo for it! I'm doing NaNo and so far, so good even if I am a bit behind where I want to be. It's still early in the month! :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck Madeline, and enjoy. A couple of good weekend sessions will keep you up to date, or even slightly ahead :-)
DeleteBest Wishes!! Nice blog here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Choki :-)
DeleteI like how you've adapted the concept of NaNo to suit you! I'm also not officially taking part this year, but I am making it my goal to write as much of my WIP as possible :). Wishing you the best of luck with your 500 pages! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteOh, and snack wise, you can never go wrong with cake. Doesn't matter what cake - any will do ;)
Good luck with your WIP, Rachel. And I agree with your cake suggestion... mmm cake....
DeleteGood for you! Had I been aware of Nano I would have joined in the fun. Guess I'll just have to wait until April for A_Z!
ReplyDeleteMark it on your calendar for next year, Keith :-)
DeleteThat sounds like a fun way of going about it. Takes the pressure off a little bit. There's something different, and nice, about writing by hand. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI love writing by hand - it's much more of a struggle to write a first draft on the computer, for me.
DeleteGreat idea, I think it is the pressure that would put me off competing too! Let us know how it all goes. I would suggest chocolate and maybe a few blueberries for when you want something healthier to accompany you. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteMmm, chocolate and blueberries together are lovely!
DeleteHi Annalisa,
ReplyDeleteNice angle with that usage of scrap paper and the 500 pages with 100 words. I admire anybody who attempts any of this stuff. As for me, I stay well away from all these contests. Wouldn't be fair on the rest of the participants! :)
Gary
In my previous job, a lot of scrap paper was created - I used to bring it home to use. Even now, 8 years later, I've still got loads of paper from that time :-)
DeleteBest of luck! There is no reason why you can't win again. I'm not participating, but I'm cheering for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Murees :-)
DeleteI love 'old-fashioned pen and paper' writing...
ReplyDeletePhysicians claim that it keeps the brain sharper as you get older because it engages your motor-skills and memory.
My ideas flow a lot better with pen and paper. Actually at the moment they are flowing a lot better when I'm walking the dog and have no paper with. Time for a Dictaphone!
DeleteYou go, girl! Definitely M and M's:)
ReplyDeleteM&Ms are a very practical and yummy suggestion :-)
DeleteGood luck! Love your personal twist to the challenge. I'm cheering from the sidelines this year because I lose two weeks of this month to family stuff. But I'm making very good progress in finishing off the novella I started. That will be half the NaNo's word count and I'll be very happy if I get it done before the American Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem strange that a challenge that started in America takes place in November, when so many Americans are busy for the last week or so of it!
Delete