Every year when NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) rolls around, I stand on the sidelines like an outcast kid, watching while everyone else gets to play. Because let’s face it — if there’s an inconvenient month to write 50,000 words, it’s November. (Actually, 50,000 words is nowhere near convenient, no matter the month.) That’s why when I found out that the New Zealand group Kiwi Writers claimed June for their own novel-writing month, I waited and debated and finally signed up. June’s still a busy month (and, blast it, it still has only 30 days instead of 31 like some months I could name — yes, I’m looking at you, January), but at least it doesn’t contain Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations. Not that I have cause to whine, since I’m cheating anyway; I only have about 43,000 words to go on my current book, instead of 50,000. Even that means 1,434 words per day, however, with no days off. I’m nervous and excited and already counting down the days until July.
Pain, suffering, and daily writing sound like a good way to spend the next month? If so, check out the Southern Cross Novel Challenge (SoCNoC). It’s free, and includes access to forums with a wealth of resources and plenty of people to encourage you. You can even friend people, since this is the age of social networking. (My user name is caryn.) Plus you don’t have to be a Kiwi, since New Zealanders are a welcoming sort.
Even if you don’t join, feel free to throw a few tips my way in the comments for this post. I could use some. (And, no, Don’t do it! doesn’t count.)
In other news, I seem to remember that there was a contest on here a few days ago, for which debut author Jess Riley donated a copy of her new book Driving Sideways. Well, this afternoon Random.org declared Ilana Stephens the winner! Please visit her blog and congratulate her. And if you haven’t picked up your own copy of Driving Sideways, rush right out and grab one because it’s a wonderful read.
P.S. Someone e-mailed me today (Tuesday) using the link on the left-hand sidebar. My stats tell me that they filled out the form, sent it, and got the thank-you screen, so I know it wasn’t spam. However, I had an e-mail glitch (which is now fixed, thank goodness!) and did not receive it. Could you please try again? I don’t handle suspense well, and I’m dying of curiosity. I just know you were writing to tell me I won a million dollars or you want to give me a book deal or something. That’s it, right? Right?
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About Me
I am the stay-at-home mother to a toddler nicknamed Sunshine. During nap times I write books, blog, and play around with the photos I've taken. I live in the southwestern U.S. with my husband, daughter, and two cats. My books are represented by Erzsi Deàk of Hen & Ink Literary Studio.
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TWO chances to win "Worth the Risk" by @RobinBielman! http://t.co/Vmc1eJ0x ~ 05/16
I love the sound of the rain falling through the trees and into the grass. It sounds crackly and cozy and sweet. ~ 05/16
Today is jeans-washing day, which means tomorrow we celebrate suck-in-my-stomach-because-my-jeans-shrank-in-the-laundry day. ~ 05/16
This week I'm giving away TWO copies of debut author Robin Bielman's novella "Worth the Risk" on my blog. http://t.co/Vmc1eJ0x ~ 05/15
I feel bad for Mondays. Everything that goes wrong today will be blamed on the day of the week. Better to be a Friday. People love Fridays. ~ 05/14
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Whoo! Rock and SocNoc Roll! (insert mullet-headed rocker giving the devil’s sign here) Yeah! Crazy writing schedule. You go, Book Lady! Woo!
(For those of you feeling defensive because I’m picking on Caryn, I’m doing SocNoc, too. I’ve also been breathing into a paper bag all day. Thus the hyperactive cheering. It’s a defense mechanism. Really. Hysterical laughter runs in my family.)
And why did hell freeze over?
Caryn, are you trying to hit a 43,000 word goal in a month? I commend you, sweetie.
I think the biggest problem a writer faces when trying to reach a goal is actually sticking to it – distractions come easily, for some reason, more than any other time. Here’s my tip: Before you sit down to write, make sure you’ve eaten, made phone calls, taken out the dog, and used the bathroom (these are my usual distractions). And then write without stopping to self-edit. Editing while writing is a big buzz kill. Just babble away WITHOUT LOOKING BACK. One more tip: The next day when you sit down to write, DO NOT LOOK AT WHAT YOU WROTE THE PREVIOUS DAY. Also a big buzz kill. Save all editing for after the story is done.
Okay, I’m over with long winded-ness (for now). Have a great writing day and Good Luck!
I try to do NaBloPoMo every year and that is difficult enough just trying to blog everyday. I can’t imagine trying to actually write something of worth. Too much! June seems like a much more reasonable month to try and accomplish that goal. I’m so excited for you! I hope it goes well.
Pam, you crack me up! Your enthusiasm helped, though. I need to get pumped up for this thing, especially since I waited all day to write yesterday, and when I finally had a chance at the computer everything I tried to write sounded awful. (I’m still working on this writing-without-stopping-to-edit-or-think-about-what-I’ve-written thing.) As for hell freezing over — on Twitter, right? — it’s because hubs and I actually found a few songs that we *both* like. Usually my music’s too boring for him and his is too weird for me.
Thanks for the tips, Kath! One of my problems is that I get *too much* out of the way before I write. Suddenly I can’t write until I’ve cleaned the bathroom mirror, returned days-old emails, and watered all our plants. So I need to learn moderation, too. And writing without looking back? I definitely need to practice that one.
Sparklie, I could never do NaBloPoMo! I actually write fiction a lot faster than blog entries, I think because I’m just continuing where I left off each time with fiction, whereas each blog entry is an entity, a mini-essay of sorts, of its own, so I commend you for doing it.
I don’t know if I’d ever sign up for one of those. I can’t stand pressure. Also, since I still have a little one at home, I have to pick and choose my ventures until she goes to school–then I’ll be able to play more.
You need to get one of those meter widgets for your blog so we can keep up with your progress.
Good luck!!!
Go for it! I did NaNo, and I’m sooo glad I did. I’m trying to finish revising that book now, and I”m amazed some days at what I came up with. I didn’t have hours to make my wordcount every day either–I was lucky to snatch 2 hours in one day, usually after the kids were asleep (where I wanted to be also) so I had to be super-efficient (and NOT edit). A lot of what I wrote is being re-worked. But a lot of it is quite decent. And I had no time for writer’s block, or writer’s bashfulness, or writer’s “I’m no good at this I should quit” bullsh*t. I had a goal to meet, and I announced to the “world” that I would meet it and darnit, I was going to meet that goal.
So, this is meant to be encouraging. Go for it! Don’t forget the coffee (or chocolate, or whatever keeps the brain cells moving)!
Write without judgement!
That’s all I got for you.
Oh, and best of luck!
Go for it, Caryn! I did NaNo last year, and this challenge sounds fab! I might spend my vacation time by the pool today knocking out a quick outline to see if I have a story with legs…..I’m off to sign up.
As far as advice: um, Put Your Butt in The Chair and Type. Keep the coffee on (if that’s your thing).
Just Write.
NaNo was great! If I wasn’t moving, I’d join you. I’ll certainly cheer from the sidelines.
And Yeah!!! This is the first time I’ve won anything from a random drawing!!!
The book shall move to the top of my TBR list and I’ll see if I can’t make our bookstore order 16 copies for my fall online class!
I agree with you … November is such a difficult month for it! June sounds perfect.
Good luck! We’ll be cheering you on! (If you keep us apprised, that is!)
Muse, I admire you for writing with kids. We don’t have any yet, and I’m worried about how writing and kids will mix. And the widget is a great idea! Will have to find one tonight.
Kristi, thanks for the pep talk! I will have to go back and read it on those days when I hate my book, my characters, my writing, my plot…
Thanks, Alyson! That’s a great motto, actually — short and easy to remember.
Ooh, Amy, that would be great! Hope you can join us. As for coffee, I love the smell but not the taste, but maybe I could hook myself up to a liquid chocolate I.V. drip. That could help.
Yeah, Ilana, you have enough on your plate. Good luck with the move! And good luck with using Driving Sideways with your class. I think it’s an excellent idea!
Spyscribbler, I’m going to add a widget to my sidebar in the next few days so that people will know my progress if they’re interested. And maybe you can join us next June, if the notice is too short for this time around.
I thought the same thing about NaNoWriMo. November is a tough month. Thanks for the info on SoCNoC. Good luck!
*Double back flip followed by a pom pom swish* Yay, Caryn! You can do it! And I’m going to join you too! I was successful with NaNo, so why not SoCNoc? (I feel like I should be wearing a poodle skirt while I write for this challenge.) It’s just the kick in the pants I need to write, write, write. So count me in to cheer you on, and worry about daily word count.
I find the best motivation for me is to tell everyone I know that I’m going to write 50k in June. Then I _have_ to finish!
Good luck!
Caryn–Good luck! Good writing! Churn those words OUT! What a great way to really, truly turn off that internal editor.
Oh, Caryn, you are going to be great at this!! But I have to ask: does this mean that we are going to be deprived of your blogging during the month of June? Because…well, I don’t think we can do without you for that long. I hope you’ll at least give us updates, because we are all definitely cheering for you! (I think it’s a wonderful idea, by the way. I’ve never done it, but I think the necessity of writing without that pesky editor talking in my ear would be a welcome relief!)
I totally cheated when I did Fast Draft (supposedly a book in two weeks). I already had half my book done. It was a lucky thing though, because I just barely finished as it was.
Good luck with it!
Keri, I’m glad I’m not the only one who is daunted by the thought of writing 50,000 words in November!
Thanks, Robin! And I’m so thrilled that you will be joining in the fun, too. It’s definitely better when you know that others are going through the joys and tribulations, too.
Griffin, that’s why I decided to blog about it, friend people on SoCNoC, and announce it to the Will Write for Wine forums (where I’m also active).
Thanks, Conda! The encouragement helps.
Sandi, I hadn’t even thought about that. I honestly have no idea if I’ll be dying to write about something other than my book, or if I’ll be so worn out that I can’t blog much at all. I know that I’ll have to put my book before my blog, something I’m not always as good about doing as I really should be. Beyond that? We’ll see. And if you’re up for it, feel free to join in! Though it sounds like you’re at a spot where you need to do a lot of thinking and plotting, more than anything.
Alyssa, that’s good to hear, because I’m cheating, too. I’m already 1/4 of the way into my book. Even then, I’m a little daunted! Maybe next time around I’ll try it from scratch.
Good luck with SoCNoC! I’ve done a few similar challenges and have found them really helpful at redirecting my otherwise slacker-like writing pace. I wish you thousands upon thousands of new words added to your WIP
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