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I’ve been playing around with my sidebar lately. You may have noticed a couple of odd “badges” appearing there. On is NaNoWriMo and the other is NaBloPoMo. Unless you’ve encountered them before, you probably have no idea what’s going on.
So I’ll explain.
Every November the writing community gears up for one of our biggest challenges – to write an entire novel in a month. Whether you write Romance, or Science Fiction, or great literature you can participate. You don’t have to be professional, published, or anything, except willing to take up the challenge.
I live by challenges. They keep me focused and happy. Back in 2000, right after I completed my first.. um… completed novel, (this doesn’t count the ones I tried but could never finish) I heard that Nora Roberts averaged a new book every two weeks. I decided to see for myself if that was even possible.
In the course of four weeks I cranked out two books. They were very short, but they had the requisite beginning, middle, end, and character development, and were too long to be considered novellas. I went on to write a lot of other books as well, but never officially took up the NaNo challenge.
So I know I can do this. Or rather, I think I can do it. But just to make it interesting, I’m going to be taking on another challenge at the same time.
National Blog Posting Month is the bloggers response to NaNo. Instead of writing a book, we are challenged to put up a new blog post each day.
So for the month of November I am committed to both writing an entire book (minimum of 50,000 words) and putting up a post every day. Yeah, knowing me I’ll do double the number of posts. This doesn’t count the couple times a month I post over at Romance Roundtable.
On top of that, my family will be staying with me over Thanksgiving. Any guesses which challenge scares me most?
Are you taking any challenges this month? Do you find challenges useful, annoying, or meaningless? Have you ever tried something like this?
If I do a writing challenge like NaNo I tend to burn out. I push myself anyway when I’m in writing-mode, so I don’t need to work extra hard. My brain would turn to mush!
Good luck with your NaNo writing.
Family? eeeek! OKay, I’m not jumping on the NaBlogowhachamacallit. Nope, not me. I’m having difficulty keeping up. I kind of feel like I’m on a top spinning round and round. The cape is on, the parachute is attached and I’m full speed ahead, and I’m still not making my goal of 3333 words a day, but I’m not behind on the NaNo goal. Tomorrow, maybe I’ll catch up.
I did NaNoWriMO last year and though I’ve deleted that portion of the blog I think I posted a new piece nearly every day that month as well.
Personally I am heartened to know that I am not alone in this peculiar form of insanity.
I am doing NaNo again this year (I’ve done 4 and completed the last 3.) I may check out the blog one, too. Double dog dare me and I will pretty much do anything
Tuesday’s Tales #1 – John
Nessa, I don’t fall for the double dog dare anymore, but make me think the results would look entertaining and I’m all over it. Did I ever tell you about the time my mother suckered me into painting a kitchen by asking if Mr. Al would notice the change?
Renee, Yeah, my family will be here for four days. They are bringing kittens with them. I doubt I’ll get much writing done then, so will have to get it done now instead.
TWM, Yeah! I’m glad I’m not the only crazy running around here. Better yet, I’m glad to be in good company.
Shelley, I have been that way about some of my books, but not about others. One that should have only taken a month stretched to six, and was then promptly buried. I’m sure by the end of the month I’ll be crispy, but maybe not totally burnt. We’ll see.
wow! you’re ambitious–can’t wait to see what you write.
I’ve got about 4,000 words so far, and they are looking a LOT like Suzie’s House.
I’m a first timer this year. Add me as a writing buddy and I’ll do the same. I’m under “Ed Welter”
I’ll do that as soon as I can get my log in issues resolved. So far I’ve only gotten through once since signing up, and then I had no idea what to do with myself. I’m there as Alice Audrey.
What a great challenge. I know you can do it! How are you going to fit family in with writing? Yikes! The best of luck Alice. Regarding your question about Entrecard. I’m liking it a lot more then I did a few months ago. Seems the site has new owners and everything is back that way it was a year ago. It’s not so commercial anymore. I’m so happy for that. I’ve been clicking like crazy lately. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week.
Hugs
Michelle
I’ve been holding back, but I don’t think I will anymore. Except… um… I’m a little busy right now.
I did the poetry thing in April.
I do a new blog every day.
There’s a poetry thing in April? *perk*
good for you alice, I think I would like the 30 posts in 30 days!
some days (as you have seen)I have to post 2X’s!!
I am doing a Christmas Ornament swap with a Blogger I just met!
and when I get my camera I will post a pic a day till I get tired of it
That’ll be fun.
Wow! Good luck
I’ll stick to teahing my little one a new cuss word everyday, Just kidding! LOL
I didn’t know about NaBlo, or I might have tried it. After the #GreatHallowTweet I took most of this week off from blogging – not intentionally. But, yeah, I like challenges. They motivate me. And Lord knows I can use some motivation besides panic!