November has arrived and it's that time of the year we've all been waiting on. Nope, not Thanksgiving, it's time for NaNoWriMo! First, let me give you some background info on NanoWriMo. It was started in 1999 by freelance writer Chris Baty with 21 participants. NaNoWriMo challenges participants to write 50,000 words of a new novel between November 1 and 30. Entries are accepted from around the world. The goal of NaNoWriMo is to get people writing, no matter how bad their writing is, and complete their first draft. I met Chris Baty recently and we talked about NaNoWriMo and its purpose. I'll post parts of the interview throughout the month. So to get you started, here's what you need to know.Who: Any aspiring writer, published author or writer, screenwriter, blogger or anyone that wants to take on the NaNoWriMo challenge.
What: A literary work in which your goal is to write a 50,000-word novel and complete the first draft.
Where: Anywhere. It's open to anyone, anywhere in the world. You can write from your home at your desk, in groups, at the library, at a cafe, or anywhere you can find the time.
When: Starts TODAY, November 1, and ending at 11:59 pm on November 30.
Why: Because you love a challenge. Because you want to stop talking about writing and actually do it. Because no one ever has to read it if you don't want them to. Because you have a story to tell and you're ready to tell it.
How: Sign up at NaNoWriMo.org. There are great resources available to help you plan and track the progression of your novel. You can track your word count and receive badges for your progress as well. You can visit the Official Store, which is a licensed charity that supports both the website and November effort, and programs for young writers. You can purchase founder Chris Baty’s how-to guide, No Plot, No Problem, for $1.99 on Kindle through Amazon. And most helpful is the message boards/forums, where you can interact with other participants, get feedback and motivation, as well as attend local events such as launch parties, writing sessions and social events. Check to see if anything is available in your local area.
So now you're armed with all the info you need to get started. Are you up for the challenge? I am. Check back for my progress and don't forget to check back for my interview with the founder of NaNoWriMo, Chris Baty, next week.
Good Luck!
