Have you heard of NaNoWriMo? This is the short form for National Novel Writing Month. Every November, at least 300,000 people try to write the first draft of a novel in just 30 days. To complete this personal challenge, NaNoWrimo participants have to write 50,000 words between November 1-30.
I've always wondered what it would be like to write a novel so quickly. My first novel took me ten years to outline, draft, revise (a million times), polish, edit, and publish! This year, since I'm feeling a little bit stuck in my fiction writing life, I decided to register for NaNoWriMo. My goal this month is to find a few scenes or characters worth keeping from my rough draft. I hope this challenge will motivate me to get going on my second novel. I've had many false starts over the past few years, but I don't want to be one of those novelists who only writes one book!
There is also a youth version of this challenge. Young people can set their own writing goals. My eight-year-old daughter has decided to write her own novel this month. Her goal is to write 6000 words. I'm so excited that she'll be writing with me after dinner each evening. She is an amazing writer! Maybe she will agree to share a paragraph with you later in the month.
Writers who complete 50,000 words are considered "winners". There is no prize except the wonderful feeling of accomplishing a major goal.
You can help inspire my writing by answering this question:
Imagine a talent show in the future. What human talents will people have? If I use your idea, I'll add your name to the acknowledgments in my next novel. WARNING - It may be ten years from now.
Please share some motivating tips for me this month. I'll need all of the support I can get!
Comments
I just passed 10,000 words! Thanks for your encouragement. Please keep your ideas coming:
What human talents will people have in the future?
Thanks Bright Rubies. I think you're onto something...
@Ario That is such a helpful response. It's going to help me with a section I'm writing today. I can't thank you enough. I agree with you 100%!
I love this challenge as I love writing especially novels -although I didn't step any pace until now- and short stories. I will try to count how many words I could write every day and wonder how many words can my 4 year-old son write every day , too :D
about your Question dear, I think that it's so difficult to determine which talent would people have in the forwarding future. But as I guess it should relate to science or invention - everything that improve and advance our world like invent a way to live on mercury - something like that :)
I see. I think talents that people need in the future are talents to enjoy quietness and to create peace in any circumstances. I think in our modern wold today, most people are afraid of quietness. For instances, they turn on TV or radio or music even they actually are not watching or listening since they need voices as backgrounds. A situation that indicates that they are afraid of quietness.
I even know some people need to turn on TV or music all night just to help them to sleep better.
Besides that, I think most of us afraid of boredom as well. Some people are trying hard to find entertainment to run away from boredom. And even they keep themselves busy just in order to escape from boredom. That's an ability to enjoy peace is necessary.
Wow, so many interesting ideas! Thanks for helping inspire me. I've read some of your ideas a few times. Please keep more ideas coming: What talents will people have in the future?
@Ario, I'm sure NaNoWriMo participants can write in any language. You don't actually submit your novel for anyone to read. It's really just a personal challenge to reach 50,000 words.
Update: So far I have been able to write 1700 words/day. My daughter has managed to write 200 words/day (her goal).
In order to motivate us, my best friend has been sending us a word each day to include in our writing. So far the words have been:
"perpendicular"
"reserve"
"troops"
"downpour"
Should the challenge on NaNoWriMo be written in English? I wish that you'll be flooded by inspirations that you could write them as a novel :)
Interesting thoughts Tara will post some ideas :)
Let's help inspire Tara to complete the writing competition by answering her questions! I am not sure if you can join in the writing challenge by writing your own novel, though.
Dear Tara ,
I hope you and your daughter succeed in this challenge ,there is no obstacle of time but in last so much i wish your hope will bloom to glow your hearts and too ours as a part of your world here from MYEC :)
As the answer of questioned idea , i imagine a talent whit which one can put the huge power in his words and release them to the world ! the power that has not limit or mortal resource , and can be used up for any creature including humans and livings regardless of material qualities of them . you can consider it near to a poet or skillful writer but i mean maybe an ordinary one who even doesn't feel to get acclaim for what he gives but in time every of his people believe he can write not only one living story with a character but thousands of valuable hopeful anecdotes of life . He is when passes over any road,street ,message,station or status of feelings , doesn't hesitate to open his heart and mostly not dissuading to produce hope, justice and peace and a little vigor of breeze ,with a bit of geniality of shiny stars , summing warmth of the sunlight and few humidity of the rain with last strewing colors of rainbow .He usually does not stand against giving time of hours to do it and his words , qualities are all different for each one because it is exactly what he wants to be ! Like each flower has its unique ,special odor and this must to be respected always . The very prominent other thing is he believe devotedly that 'Love is existing in every thing , the Beloved is merely a reminder .'
Have a high golden door step dear teacher ,i am one who believe that will read your book and taste honor of your are my teacher :)
Your believer ,Hani
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