Pros and Cons of Nanowrimo

For those unfamiliar with the term Nanowrimo, it stands for the National Novel Writing Month.  It’s an online challenge for writers who’d want to jump start their next project (or this year, complete a work in progress).

The goal of Nanowrimo is to write 50,000 words during the Month of November.  That averages out to approximately 1660 words per day for 30 days.

I’ve participated in Nanowrimo a couple of times but have yet to cross the finish line with a total of 50,000 words.  So does that mean I failed the challenge?

PROS:

1.    You write something everyday

2.    It develops a habit of writing daily.

3.    At the end of it all, you have a large chunk of writing done.

4.    You meet people online and in your area who are also doing the challenge.

5.    You gain new contacts

6.    There are lots of motivational articles to get you through the month.

CONS

1.    You have to make the time to participate

2.    When you’re finished you may just end up with 50,000 words of horrible writing

3.    For those who like to edit as they go, that’s a no-no with Nano.  This will drive some writers crazy.

As I see it, the Pros outweigh the Cons so why not give Nanowrimo a try?

For more information (and to register and participate for free):   http://nanowrimo.org/

Happy Nanowrimo!

Do you actually achieve your writing goals?

My critique group moderator just posted our 2008 writing goals.  I’m always excited and hesitant to revisit them. 

Did I accomplish what I thought I would be able to do in 2008?

Did I do more?

So, here are my 2008 writing goals and my commentary for each one.  I didn’t do too badly.

But wait – there was a lot not on the list…

I have 2 children’s poems coming out in Hopscotch for Girls magazine in 2009.

I wrote 6 new plays for kids and teens last year.

I wrote an original song for our church’s 100th anniversary service.

My article, The Business of Playwriting, got purchased by Writer’s Digest books for 2 upcoming market books.

I’ve collected several agents and publishers for my adult suspense novel.

I think I’m happy with my progress.

Anyway, here’s what I originally posted to my critique group:

Jacqueline’s 2008 Goals:

So…for 2008

1. Get an agent or publisher interested in the adult thriller. THIS IS THE YEAR of the thriller…I can feel it.

Well, I’ve saved potential agents and publishers that I plan to sub this to but didn’t want to jump the gun until the final revision is at least nearly complete.  I AM doing this in January, though.

2. Back to square one on Thinkers(YA). I know so much more now about writing that I’m positive this time I’ll approach it so much better than the first draft. 

I think I’ll be subbing this to the group once the suspense novel is done.

3. Find a publisher for some of my playscripts AND/OR enter some of them in contests for productions. I did enter a couple contests – haven’t heard back so I guess I didn’t win LOL  Also did research publishers and have a couple in mind.  Just haven’t subbed anything yet.

4. Learn how to use 2 music software programs I own that I never seem to find the time to work with. 

This is hilarious – I actually used one of the programs when I wrote an original piece for our church’s 100th anniversary year service in June.  I just picked my way around until I figured it out, so I guess I did this somewhat.

5. Try getting into my chicklit YA called “Quick, pass the chips.”

This was book one of my nano disastrous attempt this year.  Couldn’t get into it no how…sigh.  I switched to a 2nd suspense novel and planned a lot of it out but never wrote much of anything.

 

6. Do Nanowrimo again next year and get past this year’s 33,000 words.  I think I did 1200 words.  Wow!!!

These all seem reasonable and doable.(I’m so naive-hahaa) We’ll see what happens when Sandy reminds us next December of what we wanted to do this year LOL