I met the challenge. I am a NaNoWriMo Winner!
It was an interesting experience. Can I write 50,000 words in a month if I ignore misspellings, bad punctuation, and places I am yearning to edit? The answer is yes. I accepted the challenge toward the end of October and I met it today, November 28, 2009.
What’s interesting is the feeling now that I can do that. I can do it. If I can do that, then I can edit it to perfection and hopefully send it out for the next test: does anyone want to publish it. From my writer acquaintances I know that selling your novel can be difficult, but not impossible.
In my case, I know I can edit and polish the book. I’ve done that for years as a technical writer. I know there will be some surprises, but there were surprises when I wrote the draft. For instance, I didn’t know Charlie would nearly drown because he couldn’t swim. I didn’t know about the secret tunnel, or that I would gain new friends by meeting adversity. Once I got going, I just went whoosh! If I did it once, I can do it again.
If you think you’d like to try it next year, go to the NaNoWriMo web site and check out the rules. Then next November, let the fingers fly. I expect to do it again next year. See you there.
Marilynne
Wow! I’m so impressed Marilynne! I think I may take up that challenge for December when I’m off from school. Sometimes I wonder if quantity or quality should be an issue when i first sit down to write. One always try for both, but I always seem to lean toward one or the other.
comment by stargirl — November 28, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
Thanks. With this challenge I found that being single-minded about just getting the words down was very useful. Until then, I would fix things first, then go on, but the story wouldn’t flow. I did begin with a good idea of where the story should go. Once I got started my characters often took over. That’s a fun sensation.
I did that many words in a month. If you’re doing it in December, I think I’d just set a goal and see what happens. I am now looking forward to going back and fixing things.
Thanks for commenting.
Marilynne
comment by Marilyyne — November 28, 2009 @ 10:54 pm
YEAH!!!!! You did it. I’m happy for you. Now I am going to try doing a story like you and others have suggested. It always feels great when you accept a challenge and get it accomplished. If you don’t try, you will never know if you can reach your goals. Now you can take it easy! Right?? At least for a day or two.
comment by Rhonda — November 29, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
Yay! You are awesome!
Love, Cindy
comment by Cinders — November 29, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
You certainly won’t reach your goals if you don’t try. There’s something in setting a goal that’s challenging, but not too much so. NaNoWriMo was challenging to me, but quite doable.
comment by Marilyyne — November 29, 2009 @ 10:40 pm
I just think that is so cool! Congratulations.
comment by Kathie — December 1, 2009 @ 9:17 pm
Thank you so much. I think it’s cool too.
comment by Marilyyne — December 1, 2009 @ 10:29 pm