Wednesday, October 29, 2008

NaNoWriMo

November begins in just a couple of days and with it comes NaNoWriMo.

What in the heck is NaNoWriMo? you ask. Well, that would be one month of pure torture, too much coffee, computer key pounding, hair pulling, teeth grinding, and a lot of random doodles in the margin of my notebook.

Yup, National Novel Writing Month is here. And, as if I don't already have enough on my plate, I'm diving in head first with the hopes of having a 50,000 word novella completed come November 30th.

Pressures on.

At least there aren't any rules about whether the the manuscript has to be any good. I'm counting on pulling out nothing but crap, as, while being a published young adult fiction writer has been on my Top 5 Things Marisa Must Do Before She Turns 30 list (preceded by get married, have kids, travel Europe, and become a professional artist {professional defined loosely} - check check check and check), that certainly does not mean I have any idea how to actually write a publishable book.

Like I said, pressures on.

I always thought being a writer would be the first thing I ever did in life. In high school and college, nothing made me happier than Creative Writing assignments and even 20 page term papers. I graduated college with a degree in Creative Arts, my major emphasis being English Literature and minor emphasis being Art for Children with the plans of becoming a teacher.

Life kind of got in the way of my creativity for awhile. Since opening Elegant Snobbery last January, however, my creativity has been coming back. I always have itchy fingers to draw, but my itchy writing fingers are equally twitchy.

Will is a very tolerant husband. He doesn't seem to mind the piles upon piles of notebooks that are constantly spread around the house. And he is used to the look on my face when the dialogue between two unknown characters suddenly starts in my brain and I blank out while I listen to whats going on. Sometimes he even passes me a pen and notebook so I can scribble it all down before the voices stop.

No, it isn't schizophrenia or multiple personalities. At least I don't think so. Just a lot of characters having conversations, confrontations, and trying very hard to tell me their story.

So, that brings me to now, only a few days before the craziness begins. I've never been successful with NaNoWriMo before. I tried it two years ago, but only got 15,000 words done before Gracie, only 18 months old at the time, made things too rough for me. And, as I was hugely pregnant with Annelie, I was too tired to have my late night typing sessions.

Now I'm ready. I've got my notebook full of characters, plot, and setting. My mood music play list has been filled with Muse, Placebo, Marjorie Fair, Ghostland Observatory, and Linkin Park. My black Ultra Round Stic Grip Bic pen (which doubles as a microphone when I need to take a break from typing) has become permanently attached to my hand, ready to jot down any little note.

Fingers crossed. I still have art to print, package, and create. As well as a house to clean, kids to dress, cook for and play with. Maybe this month will be a success... or maybe I'll have to quit only 15,000 words into my novel.

Whatever happens, I'm just happy to take the plunge and hopeful that I might actually make a move on getting that last check on my list taken care of in the next few years before my 30th birthday.

Good luck to any of you other bloggers who are attempting NaNoWriMo this year! And if you are interested in learning more about it, but don't know where to look, be sure to visit http://nanowrimo.org

xoxo,

16 comments:

Teri Martin said...

This is the first year I am attempting it. I will be on vacation the first week. I will be writing in notebook that week.Have fun!

KriskropMemories said...

I only wish I had the talent to try this out but I like to stay honest with myself, lol.
I wish you the best of luck and hope you get that checked off your list!

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

Good luck!! You will do it, I have faith in you. =D

Lorissa J. Longfellow said...

Good luck!! I wish I was as motivated as you.
I know you can do it.

Cathy said...

As I said over on FB, you are crazy and brave all rolled into one! But if anyone can do it, you can! I'm tempted but if I were to sign up, it would be proof that I was definitely ready for the Looney Bin!lol... maybe when the boys are a lot older...if I haven't gone insane by then...

New England Quilter said...

Your plate sure is full! Best of luck with your latest endeavor!
Amy

SunshineandRavioli said...

Best of Luck and Have FUN (the hair pulling, pressure filled kind)!

Karen Erickson said...

I'm thrilled you're doing it! I did it and completed it back in 05 and it really helped me become a disciplined writer. It taught me that I could actually finish something and I had never really been able to do it before.

Good luck! You can do it! :)

Anonymous said...

I love NaNoWriMo! This will be the first year in 4 that I don't do it. The fall was too booked.

Good luck with your 50k!

agoodwitchtoo said...

Good luck (sending good writing vibes your way)!

Denise Felton said...

Go, Marisa! Go, Marisa! *living vicariously through you*

Karen Faulkner said...

I would love to try this but I think 2008 is out of the running...next year! Best of luck, writing is great for the spirit even when the end result is only for your own eyes.
(p.s. I've made versions of your gourmet pizza cheat three times now)

Beth Fehlbaum, Author said...

Good luck! I'm already started on the sequel to my first novel-- maybe I'll just set a 50K word goal for working on Hope in Patience, as opposed to trying to write a whole new novel. You've inspired me!
Beth Fehlbaum, author
Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have endured abuse
http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com
Ch. 1 & Book trailer are online!

Denise Felton said...

I just tagged you over on my blog. You're it!

Blackfeatherfarm said...

My goodness ! You don't have time to read this !!! Write - write write !!!

Junque Rethunque said...

I have a BA in creative writing, but I've never thought I had a novel in me. Essays, definitely... short stories perhaps. If this month were not so crazy already I might give this a shot... maybe next year.

Good luck!!!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...