Writing Fear Free: National Novel Writing Month

NaNoWriMo: talk about a silly acronym. (I suppose it’s pronounceable, so it’s not an initialism, in case you’re a stickler.)
It stands for National Novel Writing Month, and it’s slogan is “Thirty days and nights of literary abandon.”
I am all for it.
Basically, this organization brings together aspiring writers and offers support and a writing plan for completing a first draft in 30 days. Every November, authors come together to create the book of their dreams, and those who complete the required 50,000 words are declared winners.
I use a modified version of their writing plan, and here’s why it works:
  • Deadline: Many people, myself included, have trouble keeping to a task if they do not have a deadline. So NaNoWriMo provides one: 50,000 words by November 30.
  • Daily Goals: To attain your goal of 50,000 words, all you have to do is write 1,667 words per day. That’s doable.
  • Support: There’s a community and a book that offer tips, encouragement, and support.
  • Toys: There’s a store on their website. Nuff said.
  • Fun: A literary endeavor can be more fun when shared with your friends. And snacks. And yet more snacks…but I digress.

I highly recommend taking the NaNoWriMo plunge if you’ve ever wanted to write your own novel, and in that spirit, I’ll be upping my Writing Fear Free posts to provide extra encouragement as you face the blank page.

I’ll also be participating in an unofficial capacity. I have some non-novel writing commitments that must be done by the end of the year: a novella, a short story, and a non-fiction book. I’ll be doing my own private NaNoWriMo at the beginning of the year as I work on my next novel about… Well, you’ll just have to wait and see.

But this is about your novel. You can do it! You can write a novel!

Let me know how it goes….

12 thoughts on “Writing Fear Free: National Novel Writing Month”

  1. Jennifer,
    I will refer to this post often throughout November. Thanks for the encouraging words. I believe my fear & I will be on the lawn at 40 paces before it's over.
    Good luck!!
    Patti

  2. Yay! A participant. I can't wait to see how your book progresses. Remember to have fun. That's the most important part.

  3. I signed up (again) for NaNoWriMo and I am going to do it even if it kills me. . . which it might.

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