Friday, October 24, 2008

Writers - Ready, Set, Go!

November - National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is eight days away. Are you ready?

The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1 and November 30. The goal is production - words on the page, not polish. So you have eight days to prepare. What do you need? A full outline? A rough idea? Something in between?

Whatever is it is you need, you probably already have it. Check under the bed, in the back of drawers, at the bottom of that pile of stuff on your desk. Somewhere you have an old outline, a plot idea, a short story begging to become a full fledged novel. And if you don't - you have eight whole days to create whatever it is you need.

Help is available all over the WWW. Google NaNoWriMo, check out the NaNo Handbook - No Plot? No Problem! Stop by the Routines for Writers web site to see what guest blogger Karen Wiesner has to say about Building an Outline (Oct 21), Preparing for NaNoWriMo (Oct 23), Goals (Nov 4), Encouragement (Nov 11), and Avoiding Discouragement (Nov 18).

I have wanted to participate in the November writing marathon since I first heard about it five years ago. I've never been ready...until now. I'm hoping my writing partner, Mark Phillips, shares that dream because we have a completed outline ready to go and I'm planning to make it our project for November. Yes, we'll work together. Is that cheating? Maybe. But our finished Eva Baum novels run 90-100,000 words, so it doesn't feel like cheating.

Please use the comments to tell us what you will be writing and how you have prepared. Then check back throughout the month to share your success/frustration and gain a bit of encouragement from your fellow writers.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good luck, Mark and Charlotte. : )

Karen
www.karenwiesner.com
www.firstdraftin30days.com

Charlotte Phillips said...

Thanks Karen. I'm sure we'll be checking in with you for some encouragement on Nov 11.

Anonymous said...

I've written a couple of times about NaNoWriMo--and have participated in it myself. I think it's a wonderful vehicle for creative types, whether it's your first book or your tenth.

It sounds like you're psyched up for this year's event and already have a built-in writing buddy. Looking forward to the journey with you...

Charlotte Phillips said...

Karen and Eve,

Best of luck to both of you in November.

Good Writing,
Charlotte

Anonymous said...

Hi Charlotte,

I am doing NaNo for the first time this year too! I have ghostwritten books for others but this will be my first book for me. I too have wanted to do NaNo in the past but just did not make time for myself. After putting aside my own writing to do client work I am finally carving out time just for me. I am excited and of course scared to death!

Charlotte Phillips said...

Karen,

Good for you! We often forget to make time for ourselves, but you've done it. Well, you've declared it. Now comes the tough part - sticking to your guns. You can do it, I know you can. I understand the nano combo of excited/scared to death. I find that putting my hands on the keyboard helps to increase excitement about the novel and eliminate (for a short time) the shear terror of it all.

Best of luck to you. How many words have you written so far? How do I find you on the nano site? I'm CPhillips.

Char