Marilynne's World

NaNoWriMo is over for 2009.  Many of us are winners.  We wrote 50,000 words in the month of November.  Tonight we sought the company of others in our neighborhood who were feeling the same loss and triumph.  Loss that we didn’t have to write all those words any longer, and triumph that we did it!

When you are writing in NaNoWriMo you have the option of connecting with others in your area, either by forums or by write-ins at favorite hangouts.  In my area it was a local Panera.   Anyone who wanted to come and work on their novels was free to hang out with other people with this same goal.

I didn’t do that this year, but I probably will next year.  I was afraid that my social side would take over instead of my writing side.  I was afraid I would lose writing time.

Tonight I went to Panera to celebrate TGIO, which I think means “Thank God It’s Over.”  That wasn’t our feeling.  The dozen or so people who met there tonight to discuss the process seemed to feel enriched and accomplished by meeting the challenge.  For me, it was the first time I had met these people.  I loved them at first sight.  We had a common accomplishment.  I loved being there and meeting the people I had met only in the Forums.

Several of us brought our “beautifully flawed drafts.”  One person had her newly printed book in a manuscript box and just couldn’t let go of it, even when we teased her about it.  Another kept her book close to her heart the entire two hours while we talked.

We told each other about our books.  The genre ranged from science fantasy fiction to children’s stories to books that deeply searched a person’s thinking and emotions.

I’m a braggart at heart.  I had my draft printed and bound.  It looks like a book, even though it’s 8 1/2 x 11 inches and spiral bound.  I let people handle it.  It cost about the same as a hardcover book to have two copies printed and bound.  I’m going to keep one copy pristine to remind me of NaNoWriMo.  The other copy I intend to use for editing and polishing.  I’ll write all over it trying to bring it up to a good book.

I think most of us intend to keep working on our novels – to make a real book out of our draft.  I hope that we can all keep in contact so we know if someone makes it big.  For me, I’d like everyone to make it big.

For some the experience of writing this draft is enough.  For me, it’s just the beginning.

I would encourage everyone to try NaNoWriMo next November.  I’ll probably remind you on this site so you won’t forget.

Marilynne