NaNoWriMo - DONE!

The folks at NaNoWriMo call finishing 50,000 words in the month of November "Winning." For some reason that's never felt right to me. Maybe it's because I have the metaphor of a race in my mind. At the end of the race, only one person wins.

But I get it. When you complete the challenge of writing 50,000 words in 30 days, which averages out to 1,667 words a day, you've won the struggle against writer's block, fear of failure, fatigue, and in some cases, very real physical pain.

Still, I have a hard time calling myself a winner. Yes, I did hit a verified word count of 50,325 words on November 30, but as any writer knows, finishing a first draft is just the beginning.

I'm letting my text cool, and then, sometime after the first of the year will start the arduous task of editing and rewriting.

To all those who participated in NaNoWriMo this year, I salute you, whether you "won" or not. Just starting it, just accepting the challenge was a big step. I hope that step brought you confidence and joy.

Camp NaNoWriMo

If you're a writer and on the internet, you've heard about NaNoWriMo, the online creative writing project that takes place in November. Writers pledge to write a novel of 50,000 words during the month, relying on the site for support, encouragement, and tips, with the only reward being a fantastic feeling of accomplishment.

It's a rough slog, requiring you to write 1,667 words each day— or making a mad rush on weekends. In the United States, November contains the Thanksgiving holiday, which can work for or against the writer. If you have an extra two days off from work, you're in luck. Some, though, who are close to their families (or friends) or expected to do a lot of holiday travel or cooking find it hard to fit in writing time.

Have no fear, though; there's Camp NaNoWriMo! "Camp NaNoWriMo is a more open-ended version of our original November event." Launched in 2011, it was initially held in July and again in August. In 2014, though, there will be sessions in both April and July, and the word-count goals are more relaxed: "We welcome word-count goals between 10,000 and 1,000,000." It's also not limited to just novels; "writers may attempt non-novel projects. Camp is a creative retreat for whatever you’re working on!"

Just as with NaNoWriMo, there are perks to participating. Check out the sponsor pages for details.

So join in the fun at Camp NaNoWriMo.  April is just around the corner.

And consider donating. "When you donate to National Novel Writing Month, you help bring free creative writing programs to more than 500,000 kids and adults in approximately 100 countries, 2,000 classrooms, 600 libraries, and 500 NaNoWriMo regions every year."

National Novel Writing Month is also a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Write that novel this summer...

Thinking of getting ahead on writing that novel this summer?

Break out the marshmallows and mosquito repellent!

NaNoWriMo, which sponsors the month of craziness in November, now has Camp NaNoWriMo for the summer. You're just in time for the July 1 session.

 "Ever dream of writing your novel in a month other than November? Risky enough to stoke the flames of your inner campfire? Willing to forge rugged new paths through the wilderness of creativity? Daring enough to step foot in a rustic cabin or pitch The Blue Tent of Whoa™? Then join The Office of Letters and Light at Camp NaNoWriMo!"

Read more at the Camp NaNoWriMo page.

I finished NaNoWriMo with 50,216 words!

The term that they use is "win"; that is, you win NaNoWriMo if you complete 50,000 words on your novel by November 30. I dunno why, but I prefer to use the verb to finish, as in "I finished NaNoWriMo" and that I did indeed do!

This is only half the battle. I'll let the novel "cool" over the month of December while I catch up on things I let go in November. Then sometime in January I'll start whipping this novel into shape as Book Three (no title yet) of my vampires, witches, and geeks series featuring Alicia Anderson and the vampire Wesley.