However, not every author thinks that NaNoWriMo is the best idea, at least not for everyone.
Ever heard of NaNoWriMo? No, it’s not a dance from a Pacific Island somewhere, it’s the shortened form of National Novel Writing Month that, since 1999, has happened each November. Beginning Nov. 1, participants try to write a novel that should be 50,000 words by Nov. 30, which totals a 175-page book. Wow.
LDS writers from around the Bloggernacle participate in NaNoWriMo with some updating their blogs as their novel grows. Here are a few:
The LDS Publisher explains more about NaNoWriMo and how and where to sign up.
The LDS Writers Blogck explains that after you sign up, then, you write. Of course, you can't really write until the first, because everything you write before then doesn't count. And you want EVERY word to count. I would still recommend that you flesh out your plot idea beforehand, that makes it easier to just write, but whatever it takes, you should do this. Because it makes the creative side in you grow, drives everyone around you crazy and will bring you more stress than you've ever known. Hm....well, just keep a large supply of chocolate around and you'll be fine. I always have a pep talk with my family ahead of time to remind them of whats happening and that they had better not expect too much interaction if I'm at the computer. Fun!
And LDS author Danyelle Ferguson has a whole plethora of posts dedicated to NaNoWriMo, including how to prepare yourself, your family (youll need their support as mentioned above), how to utilize writing tools such as plot and conflict, how to set reasonable goals, and more. Click in.
However, not every author thinks that NaNoWriMo is the best idea, at least not for everyone. J. Scott Savage lays out “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of NaNoWriMo”: “First of all, let me say that I think anything that gets people writing is awesome. So many times people tell me they’ve always wanted to write a book. And I say, ‘Well, then, start writing.’ And whenever you do anything with a group of people who have the same goals, it makes it a little easier. So, yeah, NaNoWriMo=very cool… Except that, while I think NaNoWriMo is very cool for a lot of people, I also think that there could be times when it actually could be a bad thing. Here’s why. Imagine applying the book in a month concept to other activities. Compose a symphony in a month. Train for a marathon in a month. Build 10 houses in a month. Perform 100 heart transplants in a month. Have six kids in . . . okay, maybe we will stop the analogy there. The thing is, different people write at different paces and different books take more or less time. I have written an entire book in close to a month. I’ve also taken a year or more to write another book. Quantity does not always equal quality.”
Really, you should just go and check out his entire post, but I’ll let him summarize his argument about NaNoWriMo: “Don’t worry about what other authors are doing around you. Don’t write YA because that’s what everyone is doing. Don’t write a novel in a month because it’s November and you are supposed to. Do what works for you and stick with it.” Great advice!
So if you are doing NaNoWriMo this month, good luck and have fun!
Now let me write about other posts from this last week in the Bloggernacle:
Power pick: I was going to feature this post on Halloween, but I realized it fit better for today and tomorrow as it beautifully commemorates both “All Saints Day (Nov. 1) All Souls Day (Nov. 2)." In the midst of grieving for her son, this blogger comes to a powerful realization about saints, souls and angels. Here’s a snippet: “Saints are found the world over. And angels, over the world. Together, they are the seen and unseen beings who, from within or without this realm, serve its inhabitants by mediating God’s love for His children. Saints resemble angels as they earnestly emulate Christ, hence one special early Christian title for church members, isangelos, which means, 'equal to angels.'” I really cannot do this incredible post justice, so please click in to read her raw but beautiful words, which include poetry, scriptures, prophetic words, and raw and beautiful testimony.
Techie tip: Making scripture study on your computer easier should be the tag of this great Mormon Life Hacker post that explains how to “Use Bookmark-Folders & Plugins for Quick, Focused Scriptures Study.” You can open all your scripture study resources (scriptures, note-taking programs, commentaries) with just a few clicks. I also love his idea for installing a site-blocking plugin to shut out the sites that may distract you during your appointed scripture study time. Click in to learn how!
Emily Warburton Jensen loves searching through the LDS blog world for developments and testimonies that best capture the ever-evolving LDS online experience. Email: ejensen@desnews.com