Countdown To NaNoWriMo 2010!
What is NaNoWriMo you ask? What’s wrong with you? Okay, for those who live in caves or need a quick refresher, let me explain. NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month. The challenge is to write a 50,000+ word novel during the month of November, starting from Midnight the morning of Nov. 1 to Midnight Nov. 30. Last year there were a staggering 167,150 participants and 32,178 winners. Don’t be left out!
Okay, before I go into my plans for this year’s NaNoWriMo, let me give some status updates. As you probably have noticed, I’ve been very inactive in blogging, blogfests, or even commenting on blogs. This is because I’ve been heads-down trying to finish the current revision of Steam Palace (which I wrote for NaNo 2009). I had targeted today to finish but it looks like I’m still 2-3 weeks out. I actually started this story last September, so I’ve now worked on it for a year. A whole year.
So here’s my plan for the rest of this year:
- “Finish” Steam Palace. At least get it into a state I can send to agents/editors.
- Send out queries for Steam Palace. Sell it. Become rich and famous.
- Plot out my NaNoWriMo novel.
- Write a new novel for NaNoWriMo.
- Use December to Plot out/finish The Immortals.
I do intend to start blogging/blogfesting/etc much more once Steam Palace is completed in a few weeks. I may even host a blogfest (but don’t hold me to it).
Now what is my plan for NaNoWriMo? What will I write? Well, I’m not 100% committed to what I’m about to tell you, but there are reasons I think I should write it. Here it is (draws breath): I am going to write a sequel to Steam Palace. I think this is my best plan. Having a completed first-draft on the shelf of a sequel may make Steam Palace I more sellable (notice that I’m going to refer to it as SP1 from now on). But the reason that I’m going to move on to a new project right after NaNo is that A) I will need a break after 15 months of almost nothing but Steam Palace, and B) The Immortals is a huge concept and needs attention badly.
This year’s NaNoWriMo is going to be challenging like no other. Here is the list of things that I also have scheduled during November:
- Nov. 6 – My wife’s 40th Birthday
- Nov. 19 – 21 – SteamCon!
- Nov. 25 – Thanksgiving. I always take the day off from NaNo.
- Nov. 28 – Seattle Marathon (as a course worker).
So basically throw away ~6 days of writing time leaving me with ~24 days to write this. (Note that last year I used 25 days). This is why I really need to plan this well. Also there are only 8 weekend days this year compared to 9 last year and 10 the year before.
So starting TODAY, I am beginning to gather notes and thoughts for Steam Palace II (SP2) while still working on SP1. Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting updates and blogging about the outlining process, story creation, NaNo tips, etc, and working on my exciting NaNoWriMo Page. Stay tuned!
You're tempting me....
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking I will participate again this year as well. Man, I need to get busy. ;)
ReplyDeleteLisa ~ YA Literature Lover
Andrew, add me to your buddy list. I'm solstice1974 on Nano. This will be my third year and I'm torn between projects that I want to do this year. Hope to see you around as long as my word count keeps moving up. LOL.
ReplyDeleteDoing this for the first time this year...kinda of intimidated because I ALWAYS edit as I go and I write is spurts...anyway - I'm nitewriter6...add me to your buddy list if you like. =)
ReplyDeleteEdge of Your Seat Romance
My wife's having a baby, due Nov. 19, but we're betting he'll come a little early.
ReplyDeleteI'm betting it'll be NaNoWaWa for me.
Still owe you a chapter read on SP. I'll get it out asap.
- Eric
Love the NaNo demotivator! I can't believe it's nearly November already. I'm really excited about this year's NaNo - my idea is already churning in my head =D Sounds like you're going to have a busy November!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with SP2 and NaNo!
ReplyDeleteYay for NaNoWriMo! I can't wait and hope to actually participate this year. Last year I didn't do any writing. However, this March I wrote 50k in 15 days, which was awesome.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you and I'll be watching the countdown.
On your plan:
ReplyDelete1. Thought it was finished :) Your re-writes are awesome and I bet an agent would snatch this right up.
2. Sending out queries is THE first step in becomming rich (but you're already famous, at least in here!) and I'm sure you're well on your way for that one. Just a matter of time . .
3/4/5 Well, get busy! I'm not a plotter, but my fantasy looks like it will take some work in that area. I'm sure I'll be calling on your expert assistance when the time comes.
I'm skipping EVERYTHING tonight to work on the latest installment.
I wish I could participate in this year's NaNo, but I work a 50 hour week day job, and its just not in the cards for me. It would sure help get that fantasy rolling though.
Charity: Andrew is a treasure to work with. I'm sure you two will make excellent buddies.
And Andrew - I will hold you to the blogfest, and remind you frequently. That last one was loads of fun.
Later Dude; and best of luck on your planning phase. You know you do that well :)
.......dhole
@Jordan: Do it!
ReplyDelete@Lisa: It's never too early to start. Well maybe Dec. 1 but who says?
@Charity: Added! Will be watching...
@Raquel: Added! It will be fun. Just turn off that pesky editor and go for it!
@Eric: Congrats! I think you have an excuse if you miss 50K.
@Writers: Busy is an understatement. But I won't be doing writer's groups or blogging except NaNo updates so it works out.
@Laura: Thanks!
@Dawn: Go for it. You won't regret it.
@Donna: Thanks. It's almost done...
Sounds like you're well into the planning! I'm going to try my hand at the NaNoWriMo this year, too (can't decide what to write yet, though...) Could you add me as a buddy, pretty please? I'm on there as Tessa C. I'm trying to figure out that website at the moment.
ReplyDelete