Every year I’m amazed and inspired by the productivity and creativity surrounding National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.) If you’re not familiar with it, the goal of NaNoWriMo is to write a novel in a month. You can log your progress online, participate in forums for different genres, and receive motivation, support, and encouragement from other writers.
Unfortunately, I never seem able to participate because I’m in the middle of a manuscript (to technically follow the rules, you’re supposed to start a new project), but I feed off of the creativity and excitement of the participants and lurk in the forums pretty frequently, too.
Interested in participating in NaNoWriMo next month? Here are some posts that have run recently to help you get prepared:
9 Ways to Prepare for the National Novel Writing Month
NaNoWriMo starts right here, right now
Planning for a Writing Push
NaNoWriMo (main site)
Actually, I find inspiration in a lot of other ways too:
Bad books as inspiration. (Because I don’t want to write that poorly.)
Good books as inspiration. (I’m amazed at the author’s skill.)
Watching plays or going to a concert for inspiration.
Music as inspiration.
Housework for inspiration. (I don’t want to do it and I’ll have to start vacuuming if I stop writing.) :)
Taking a walk for inspiration.
Virtual interaction with other writers for inspiration.
In-person interaction with other writers for inspiration.
How do you find inspiration? And are you interested in participating in NaNoWriMo?
I’m seriously considering it, Elizabeth. I think I need to start a new project to get excited about writing again, and to establish a daily writing habit.
I’ve hear a lot about NaNoWriMo too but no time this year, I’m in the middle of edits. I like your inspirations.
Halloween party sign up starts Thursday, Oct. 7…swing by for the invite.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
I am definitely not doing it. Would be travelling much of the month, so would not even want to take on something I cannot give enough time too.
This year will be my fifth NaNoWriMo – I have 4 unpublished novels in various stages of editing! (OK, the first two are actually ready to submit but there just aren’t enough hours in the day as I work full time as a database manager)
It has been fantastic for me as it really suits the way I like to write a first draft – as quickly as possible with a deadline and no time to think! The editing of course is another story… sometimes literally.
I find the forums really supportive as well as fun, and we also have a real world NaNo writers’ group where I live so there are lots of write-ins to go to – I find these very productive as there is nothing else to do but write once you’re there!
A novel in a month?! Seriously?? It sounds amazing, but I’m not sure I could keep up that speed.
Participating in NaNoWriMo has to be huge for anyone. I can see if a person writes better under pressure it would be perfect.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Elizabeth – I find inspiration in several different places, including some of the ones you mentioned. I’d say my greatest sources are the members of the online writers’ and readers’ communities I am lucky enough to have found. I learn so much from the people I’ve met who love books as much as I do…
I’m not participating in NaNoWriMo next month, but I truly admire people who are able to meet that challenge.
NaNoWriMo is a great idea. I started it last year and couldn’t keep up.
Finding inspiration in bad writing is a great thing. But you don’t have to worry about that, I tell others this about you: Elizabeth’s writing is as smooth as butter.
One word leads to the other and suddenly you’re at the end.
Teresa
I’ve never felt the timing was right for NaNo, nor does it fit my writing style. But if you can swing it, great. The thought of all the editing I’d have to do if I wrote that way, though, is enough to keep me from accepting the challenge. I have to fix as I go, and I can’t plot very far in advance. A lot of my writing is wandering around the house thinking.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
Housework as inspiration…love it! I vacuumed yesterday. One day I need to dust. Today I must write.
I get inspired walking around a bookstore or library, amazed (and awed) by all the great books surrounding me.
I never do the proper NaNoWriMo because I’m in education, and November is not a good month to be trying to write a novel.
This year, I and a couple of friends tried out our own NaNoWriMo in August, which is a much better month for us. It had mixed results. We all broke the rules against doing something you’ve already started, because we wanted to continue what we were doing. Then I switched projects a week in because I realised my historical novel required far too much in depth research, and if I wrote stuff that was inaccurate because I didn’t have time to check it, I’d be creating more problems for myself.
In the end, none of us finished. I wanted to get back to the historical, which simply needs more time than that. I think NaNoWriMo is great if you have a single, strong idea or you just want to get into the habit, but I don’t think it’ll work for me this year, I need to take things a bit more slowly.
I had planned on doing NANO this year, but I couldn’t hold off another month on my new idea. It was too shiny. So, I might participate on my own, just to finish the WIP which I only just started. It will drive me. I love deadlines.
It’s almost NaNo time again? Really? Where did the time go? I loved your using the threat of vacuuming as a way of staying at your keyboard – there’s one I’ll employ.
I’ve signed up for NaNo! I’m hoping to complete a sequel to my upcoming book.
I always participate unofficially and call it ‘NaNoWrongMo.’
I work in Academia and November is simply the worst time to do anything, so usually I can’t do it even if what I need to do fits the rules.
This year, though, I’m going to try to keep up in terms of word count – but I’ll be writing short fiction and blog posts in preparation for the book tour I want to do in spring.
Hi Elizabeth – regarding NaNoWriMo it might inspire people to know that Handel wrote the entire Messiah in 3 weeks :) Think of that as a legacy.
N. R. Williams–Good luck with the edits! Thanks for the info on the Halloween party–sounds cool, Nancy.
Patricia–Sometimes something fresh and new brings the excitement back, doesn’t it?
Rayna–Hope your traveling goes well and you have fun!
sheilamcperry–Ha! I like that “editing is a different story.” :) I think our process sounds a lot alike. I write fast too, then edit the dickens out of it later (and boy, will it need the editing!) Have you seen this site? http://trunc.it/bjq96
The goal is to submit to 10 markets by the first of the next month.
Oh, that would be fun to have an in-person group to go to! What a cool idea!
Jane–I think they’re looking for 50,000 words, which is probably nouvella length, technically, but my Myrtle Clover book isn’t much longer than that at about 62,000.
Juliette–November IS a busy month, isn’t it? Especially in the classroom. All kinds of assessments going on.
I don’t like researching as I go, but writing a historical would be VERY different–you’d either have to research first or as you go to keep from making the revision process a nightmare. I have lots of respect for the historical writers! For me, it’s usually just a matter of some weapons research, or a police procedure point, etc.
I think you’re right. Or if it’s one of those things where you’ve always wanted to write a book, but couldn’t find the time…then you’re with a bunch of new writers doing the same thing, which is very encouraging.
Mason–I write well under SOME pressure. If it’s a lot of pressure, I start to freeze up a little.
Margot–I get a lot from my online friends, too. And I’m sure November is a busy month for you at school, as well as with your writing.
Journaling Woman–That’s a really fast pace and the feeling of falling behind isn’t fun! I think you’ve got a lot going on at once right now, anyway!
You’re sweet! Thanks so much. I always hope it reads that way, but I’m never sure….I appreciate the encouragement!
Alex–Good luck! I bet you can do it.
Mary–A masterpiece in 3 weeks! Wow. That’s true inspiration…I didn’t realize that. Thanks!
Elizabeth – I’m still struggling with which way round to do it! I’m writing about my specialist area at the moment (I have ideas in other areas, but they’ll wait) so I have the basic background knowledge, but there’s so much I don’t know about the little details… I want to get on with the writing, but if there are big gaps in my knowledge, I literally can’t! Maybe I’ll write something nice and simple set at a British university next :)
Last year was my first NaNo and a definitely plan to participate again this year. The novel I wrote last year has been contracted, so I consider NaNo a lucky charm.
My story idead rattling around in my head. I plan to use the Nov. 1 start as a deadline for my current WIP. I hope to wrap up the first draft this weekend, ship it off to the CPs and finish the first round of editing before the NaNo launches.
Hopefully, I can make that happen. :)
Ah, and I meant to add – thank you for these resources! :) They look like they will be quite helpful in preparing for November.
I’m going to try it – trying to finish revisions on my current novel this month so I can use NaNoWriMo to get another idea that’s been bubbling around in my brain out on paper. I’ve never done it before so I’m a little daunted as well as excited about the possibilities here.
NaNoWriMo also runs a wonderful writing website for kids here: http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/ that I have used with my own students. I love the idea that they’re challenging young people to accomplish the same feat!
I did NaNo for the first time last year and started a new project, but this year I’m going to complete my current WIP. I figure if I write 50k on a new project or an old one, it counts. *grin* Besides, it might as well be fresh, as I had to set it aside to finish edits on my first novel over two months ago.
NaNo is a great motivator and gets me more productive than I’ve ever been. Having the support of other writers, whether they’re doing it or not is awesome!
Love your inspirations (especially the housework one).
I don’t do NaNo for my series books but I have shorter projects around 50,000 words that I like to do with Nano. It gets these small books out of the way in a month.
CD
What with work and health it is not possible for me, but I might try to begin my new novel by November 1st just to see how far I could get in one month. As it has a Halloween plot, the timing would make sense.
Juliette–I have a historical saga that I’d love to write–in about twenty years! I just don’t have the time to research. There ARE lots of good resources out there…some cool blogs for historical researchers. I get REAL distracted at http://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com/ , for instance. Another reason why I can’t do research…I never get back to my manuscript! Too distracting. Yes, I picked the modern day, small Southern towns for a reason. :)
Margaret–Congratulations! A NaNo success story!
And when you’re done with that second manuscript, it’s going to feel so great!
Karri–You’re welcome! The sites seemed to offer some good tips in pre-brainstorming kinds of things…and also clearing your schedule so you can participate. Good luck with it! And thanks for sharing the one for kids. My daughter is getting interested in writing, which is fun for me. :)
Terry–You’d be doing a lot of wandering around the house for the month of November! I’m like you–it just doesn’t fit into my manuscript schedule.
Selestiele–Sounds like it should count to me! Let’s change the rules. :) Of course, if I wrote another 50k on my current WIP, I’d be wayyyyyy over my word count, but I can at least finish what I’m working on and maybe start something else?
Yes, that housework is keeping me chained to my computer today! :)
Carol–Unfortunately, I do have some laundry sitting in the dryer waiting for me to do something with it! So I guess I’ll run it a few extra minutes to get the wrinkles out, put it away real quick, then get back to the book.
Alan–Yes! Me too. Although…sometimes it makes me feel a little insecure, too.
Clarissa–Yes, 50,000 is too short for my books, too. If they were 75,000, I’d be in good shape.
Carol–I usually love deadlines too, but lately I’ve had a few too many of them. :)
Elspeth –The vacuuming has really GOT to happen…just as soon as I finish my next scene. Maybe. Ha!
The Daring Novelist–I love it! ‘NaNoWrongMo.’
I don’t know why they picked November. Sigh. I think February would be PERFECT. Except for the fact that it’s a short month. Okay, maybe January would be perfect–it’s a cold month, nothing exciting going on, and it’s long. And it’s a good time to start with a new book…at the start of a new year.
You do well to keep yourself motivated anyway–with your writing dares.
I am doing it for the first time this year. I am nervous but excited. I have an organised list on my fridge. I have posted it on my blog. It is a challenge.
I found inspiration from an old basket I found by the garbage bins. LOL
This is my NaNo link. If you want to add me as a friend over there.
http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/636129
Thanks, Glynis! Sounds like you’ve got a real plan of attack! I need to get on the NaNo site and add you as a friend.
Dorte–That sounds like a good idea–just see how far you can get with the new book. Good luck!
I’ve signed up for NaNo, and I’m trying to be prepared. I’m nervous and looking forward to the month at the same times. I printed off your link “Ways to Prepare”.
I always feel giddy when November approaches. It’s a rush of excitement to rise to the challenge of all those words in one tiny month.
Making Life a Work of Art!
Catherine–I think it’s the excitement that makes it so much fun…and knowing that so many other writers are participating, too!
Judy–Great! Hope it helps. Good luck with NaNo!
My main sources of inspiration traveling, nature, good books and music.
I would loved to participate in NaNoWriMo, but it’s impossible, since I have very limited time to write. Maybe I should break a leg on purpose, to get a month sick leave >:)))
Cold As Heaven
*big deep breath*
I did it! I just signed up for NaNoWriMo! Now I’ll HAVE to write just so I don’t look like a big, giant loser! Nerves are already getting all twitchy…it’s my first time!
Cold as Heaven–Or something catching–then they definitely wouldn’t want you back at work. :)
Vicki–You’ll do great! And good luck with it. :)
The links are great, Elizabeth. I’m getting read to do NaNoWriMo for the first time this year. I’ve thought about doing it in previous years, but life got in the way. :) Good luck to all of those who are planning on participating!
Bridgid
inkyfreshpress.com