NaNoWriMo Month - What a “Novel” Idea!

Have you even been half way through reading a novel and and thought to yourself, “I can write something like this - and do it better! ” Or perhaps, you have writing a novel on your “bucket list” - something to accomplish before you die. Maybe you always wanted to be an author (or to just look like one).

If so, then November is the month to stop putting off writing that book because it has been declared as “National Novel Writing Month! ”

In this Tech Tip - we’ll take a look at that phenomenon known as National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short) and see what they can do to help you “git ‘er done! ”

1,667!

It all started back in 1999 in the San Francisco bay area when a group of friends (headed by one Chris Baty) decided to stop putting off writing that book - and to (paraphrasing the famous words of the Nike commercial) “JUST DO IT”. Fast forward to today and you now have a something that just can’t be stopped! You have it all its glory - NaNoWriMo! The goal is simple, to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. From November 1-30, you write for “thirty days and nights of literary abandon” - creating your masterpiece for the personal satisfaction of knowing that “you just did it! ” That’s a mere 1,667 words a day. When you break it down that way, you realize that it is really doable.

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!

By more, I mean that you don’t go it alone. You have a support group behind you in the community of other writers who put themselves in this same boat. Together, you sail into the world of words that takes you places you may never have thought that you could go. It costs nothing to join, and it iseasy to sign up. Young and old are encouraged to join (there is a young writers program - where they can set their own, personal word limit). With the NaNoWriMo website, you can track your novel’s progress, get the support mentioned and meet other writers both online and in person. YES, in person! Since there is such a large community of “Wrimos” they have multiple local groups (headed by local “Municipal Liaisons”) that meet together for help and encouragement - as well as frenzied writing sessions.

Why not head over to the official website to see what kind of help they are ready to give you to get that novel done. Complete with forums (be sure to check these out) ; online tools to track your progress. cool fun stuff to help you along (like pep talks and cartoons for a little break in writing), - this is the website that has it all to get you and your book done in 30 days.There is even a store where you can load up on NaNowriMo gear (tee shirts; etc) as well as make a donation to the group if so inclined. NaNoWriMo is run by the nonprofit charity “The Office of Letters and Light” which brings “free creative writing programs for kinds and adults in over 500 cities and towns, 3,000 classrooms, and 200 libraries every year. ”

You write your novel any way you want and then near the end of November you simply upload what you wrote to have the word count verified and Voila! You’re a Winner! For more details that I may not have covered, you can always visit the NaNoWriMo official “Help” section of their website.

They do all of this (for free) in a effort to help you get in that 1,667 words a day for a month! Just imagine the satisfaction that you’ll have as you join that exclusive group of people known as “novelists”. It doesn’t have to be good. it doesn’t have to be pretty - it just has to be done. And once done - the book is yours to do with what you’d like. Pack it away on your computer and never look at it again. Or maybe, polish it up and pitch it to a few publishing houses. Perhaps, you can using one of the web “print on demand” printers to self publish a few copies to hand out to family and friends. You can even place it on Amazon’s (and others), websites for sale! The choice is yours because the book is yours!

Get Going!

Don’t put off that book any longer. If the desire is there, then there is a whole world of other writers there to help you out - sign up now and get ready for November to make that novel come to life. Make the commitment to yourself and be ready to scratch that “write a novel before I die” line off on your bucket list - with the help of NaNowriMo!