There are writers who develop a strong work ethic, put in the hard work of writing every day, and are able to say "I'm going to finish this story/novella/novel" and actually do it.
Unfortunately, I have not been that writer for a while now. The past year especially has been full of promising starts that I let fizzle out because I haven't put in the work of FINISHING.
Instead of waiting until January 1 so I can make some lame resolution about how this year things will be different, I'm getting a head start by participating in this year's National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo.
For those who don't know:
National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing on November 1. The goal is to write a 50,000 word, (approximately 175 page) novel by 11:59:59, November 30.
I have the first three chapters, and a nearly complete outline, for a novel that I started about four years ago and never had the wherewithal to finish up. I'm gonna give it a go next month. It may seem crazy, but what better way to work through a novel than with the support and solidarity of tons of other writers? And if a sense of competition and desire to avoid shaming myself in front of others can't spur my natural desire to write, what can?
If you're going to participate, too, look me up on the official site under author name Alyssa Cole.
Happy Writing!
(Image courtesy of http://latimesblogs.latimes.com)
I'm in. I've done it about oh 7 years now. Hope to get something finished for once. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh, hey Paul! I'll friend you once the buddy system is up on the NaNo site. I have faith that you can finish this year---No retreat, no surrender!
ReplyDelete