Sunday, October 30, 2011

To NaNo or not to NaNo?

For me it wasn't even a question. I admire those of you who are taking on the project of writing a 50,000 word novel in a month. I've been working on just one for well over a year. I think I may be a little challenged. I'm not even sure my husband actually believes me when I say I've been writing. To him, writing a novel must take most of your lifetime because it's not looking like I'll be done anytime soon.

I did think about joining in on the fun this November. Maybe writing something else for a whole month could give me a whole new perspective on the old story. But all in all, I know I would simply never have the time to take on such a project. So, I wish all of you lots of luck and I look forward to watching your progress. How do you plan to find the time: starve the children, board the dog, cancel Thanksgiving? I'd love to know. Good luck and Happy Halloween.

10 comments:

  1. You can always give NaNo a go one year in the future. I'm lucky in that I work part time and only have a husband and a cat to look after. This will be my 3rd year and I can't wait to get started. Good luck with your current novel.

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  2. Last year when I NaNo'd I was working part time. This year I am working full time and my son is playing hockey. The only commitment I have made this year is that I will write each week, hoping to have about 30,000 words at the end of the month. (I am working on what feels like the 20th draft, so I have a lot of groundwork there.)

    You could always give yourself a weekly goal and see how it goes :-)

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  3. I actually did join and then slapped myself in the forehead "What the heck am I doing?"

    No. I work full-time and sometimes we need to do other things when we get off work. Like get groceries. And by the time I get home I'm spent! I get up at 4 a.m. to get ready to go to work, which means I go to bed early.

    I can't cancel life for this, because that's exactly what it would amount to. I know my limitations. I had been keeping track of my word count with a new (#4) book and found that it took me 3 months to get it to about 80-90K. I didn't like the idea of posting what I wrote and them getting a different word count (I've seen this posted), and I also wasn't too ecstatic about anyone seeing a 1st draft! This goes into their site and it's there (I've read at the site) for a whole year. And, they said that to make the word count per day you wouldn't want to go back and correct. WHAT??? Not the way I can write. I have to think things through before hand, and then I like to read what I've written, and then I like to edit it. That's how I write.

    But mainly I can't put myself through such a gruleing thing for no real prize just to say I did it. I know what I can and can't accomplish and what I do accomplish is good enough for me. If it works out for other writers who have the luxury of the time, great! Good for you!

    I'm actually looking forward to a quiet November where I might get something done w/o having to blog-hop. I'll be out there at my blog, however, if anyone wants to stop by.

    Happy Halloween!

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  4. I would love to participate in NaNo as well, but I just don't have the time. Someday maybe. I love the idea of it though.

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  5. All of the above. lol I'm not sure I can finish, but I am going to give it a try.

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  6. Hey TC! Sorry I've been bad about blogging too. Sometimes, it's the last thing on the list. I do miss coming here for your fun sense of humor tho. Glad you're back. I'm doing NaNo but not officially. I'm making my own rules, but still writing a first draft in Nov. WIth everything going on, I'm not setting any word count on myself, because life is busy right now. :)

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  7. I cancelled Thanksgiving years ago - too many calories - and will be NaNo-ing 30,000 words, thanks for asking. But I'll be damned if I'm gonna post my friggin first draft on their word-counter thingy. Nano is like pumpkin carving. We're all doing it in our own way. I agree with Mary, Tam. Why don't you set your own goal. Yay! Go Tammy!

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  8. Hey, whatever you decide...all the best!

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  9. I've done NaNo for the last couple of years, but after writing five books in two years, I'm due a rest!

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  10. Oh I so agree. I would love to take part but have decided to try to do my own unofficial nano as much as possible within the constraints on my time, that way I can atleast feel I am heading towards a writerly goal.

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Thank you for your comments. Me loves them!