In a few days time, November 1st, it will be the National Novel Writing Month, known as NaNoWriMo. The idea is to challenge yourself to write 50,000 words in that month, which probably wouldn’t be a whole novel, but a jolly decent part of it. It sounds daunting – and yes it actually is, but it’s also a very good way of pushing you into writing, of getting something written even if you don’t manage to reach the target.
I’d heard about it several years before I actually attempted it, and I have to say, it’s thanks to NaNoWriMo that I wrote my first Radwinter novel. That year everything must have been set fair, because I flew through the challenge, completed it and wrote a pleasing few thousand over the target. As we moved into December, I continued and finished the story, edited it, worked on it, and published it. I took the challenge every year for several years after, and wrote several more novels with its help. I didn’t go on to publish everything I wrote, In the early days there seemed quite a community of buddies who I kept in touch with, encouraged by them and encouraging them in turn. Over the last few years I actively participated, I didn’t find a similar gang which was rather a shame.
It’s been several years since I felt in the mood to sign up for the challenge and the adventure; as I’ve mentioned here I’ve been through somewhat of a slow period with writing, who knows way, but I have plodded on. Now I feel up to having a bash at those 50,000 words in November. I’m not sure exactly what, so it will be a voyage of discovery. The thing is, even if I’m not successful in reaching the target, I will have written something at least!
Lois Elsden 
Bon voyage!
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Dear Lois
I always have to finish my texts by the end of May. With editing, printing and binding it was ready then for the Frankfurt Bookfair (which ended last weekend). A text usually has to be finished by the early summer that it is in the bookshop for the Christmas sales. After the Frankfurt Bookfair the Christmas sales usually start in the book business. November and December are a quiet months for authors as there are hardly any talks, book signings etc., as then every bookshop makes its biggest turnover of the year and concentrates on selling. I always enjoyed a holiday in November.
I think the timing for NaMoNiWro is chosen not that cleverly.
Good luck for writing about 1700 words daily. That’s okay, isn’t it?
Klausbernd 🙂
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How interesting, thanks so much for explaining it to me – I had no idea! Obviously I know about the Frankfurt Book Fair – but I never thought about the logistics of it.
I’m not sure how I will get on with the challenge this year, in a way I am just trying to push myself to write more consistently again – I’ve had such a slump over the last few years, I seem to have lost my momentum. I’m thinking this challenge might be an exercise routine for my writing muscles!!
I hope all is well with all of you, we’re having such lovely weather – but it’s rather worryingly unseasonable, isn’t it?!
Kind regards to you all,
Lois
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Thanks, dear Loise, for asking. Siri 🙂 & 🙂 Selma and our Master are well but unfortunately our dear Dina is suffering an amazing cold. She just stopped coughing that often yesterday. She was coughing all the time and couldn’t sleep because of it.
We hope you are well and wishing you a happy weekend
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
By the way, this year was the first year we didn’t go to the Frankfurt Bookfair for 50 years. Our dear Master was dealing there with his copyrights.
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Poor Dina! Horrible colds seem to be going round – husband and I have both had long-lasting ones but fortunately we weren’t ill just very sneezy, sniffly and cough-y. A friend however has been really poorly and hasn’t been able to get up for four days now. I hope your lovely sea air helps Dina’s recovery.
I don’t know if you have seen anything about the See Monster in Weston-super-Mare, a truly gigantic art installation – we have been there today with husband’s shanty band performing!
Maybe next year for Frankfurt!
sending warm wishes from the warm west!
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Dear Lois
thanks for your kind words. After ten days coughing, Dina is much better now.
We are all very happy
With lots of love from the sunny sea
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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That’s good to hear! x
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