NaNoWriMo anyone?

/ moragnoffke

Is anyone toying with the idea of participating in Nanowrimo for the first time this year? Or if you have done it before how many times have you participated and What tips do you have?

I heard about Nanowrimo about 13 years ago. I was studying at the time when my daughter did it. I was curious and nonplussed: “who would want to write everyday for a month, starting on the 1st of November and ending on the 30th, 50 000 words!” “Are you mad? Pie in the sky daydreams.” “Morag, you know you can’t do that. That’s over 1600 words a day! What would you write about?” On and on my critical voice berated me. So no, I didn’t embark on it then. I had a good excuse after all. I was studying. I was acing my assignments and that was enough writing.

After I finished my studies I decided I had had enough of academic writing and I started dreaming of Nanowrimo again. Then life happened again: breast cancer, 40 day travel into Africa, travel across the seas to Canada, attempts at writing a self help book and finally giving in to the idea that perhaps I should aim more realistically and settle for blogging at a leisurely tempo.

That’s where I am at. I started my blog in 2017 but it only really gained traction after I decided to take myself seriously as a writer. “So Nanowrimo feels like quite a challenge.”

That last sentence sounded like I just said “shall we have tea darling?”

My inner writer is screaming around the play-park, like a dog with the zoomies, in alternating excitement and sheer panic. I have signed up.

Deer in the headlight moment. I reign my inner writer in just a little, enough to feel the ground under my feet. Now I feel like I am standing on a diving board waiting to take the deep plunge. Butterflies in the pit of my stomach feeling more like a baby kicking. Heart in my throat. Yes I have a story. Yes it’s been brooding and waiting to come out.

The nice thing about Nanowrimo is that your writing doesn’t have to be perfect. The emphasis is on committing to writing every day, committing to quantity rather than quality. Oh my! That’s a concept I find challenging to contemplate, but for this very reason I feel compelled to rise to the challenge. And yes, I fear failure. Failure would be – if I didn’t complete the task by the 30th of November. Remember you don’t have to finish the novel, it’s a first draft, honey. You can do that. You CAN do it. Just do it. No more excuses. Okay? OK

Anyone for Nanowrimo?

Take care,

Morag

29 thoughts on “NaNoWriMo anyone?”

  1. Thankee Morag! Inspiratonal. Eeeek. I might just join ya in spirit. Perhaps set my own goal. (I do attend Rosebank Writers Group and am writing a novel – hobbling along – beset my physical pain & fatigue as well as emotional grief that needs healing.) Yuv given me a wee push, lass :} Go well. Go. Go.

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    • Aye I thankee Z for yrrrr support. I’ve given you a wee push? Ti’s na bother at alllll. I am glad you have the Ronderbosch Writer’s Group. May your novel hobble no more, may it take flight on wings of an eagle or crow whichever is more fitting. Thx again xx

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  2. Oh my goodness I am so happy to hear that you have signed up. Every year when I get the email about NaNoWriMo I think of you! I am so excited for you and I will be cheering you on from the sidelines all the way! I really enjoyed that one time I did it even though I didn’t complete it. Just the structure of it, the encouragement the community, Ag man I am so happy for you.

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    • Wow, thank you for your heart felt support and cheer. It’s lovely that you got to experience it…. And all the encouragement. I think structure for an inexperienced writer like me is a good thing. I am looking forward to the transformative process too.

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  3. Hello Morag
    This is your cheer leader. I am standing next to you with all the courage I can give you from me. Yes, you are able and rich in experience . I am so glad you have signed up. They say half the effort in an exam is to turn up, sit down, and start. You have done that now. Really enjoy the rest!!! One day, I may try, but let me be with you this time. God bless.

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    • Thank you for your encouragement, I hope by doing it I can begin creating a good habit of consistency in my writing. I think I have hung back because of fear. Each step is one step closer to the end. 🙋‍♀️💜

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    • Thank you for your response ☺️ I think you have found your niche in your wonderful posts. Some of the best presented and researched posts I have read /listened to, full of fact and creativity. 💞🙋‍♀️

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      • Thank you, Morag, but why write anything that is not worth reading by others? You write beautifully, and some idiot idea is not worth pursing, you could write 100 times a shopping list, but where would be

        Pride in your work? Trust me, Morag, I have a degree in Literature, and 10.000 plus read books in my home library, you can write memorable, moving essay, that is your destiny. Perhaps, you could write a history of your family, as a semi-fiction book? I wrote mine, volume one, called The Aquiline Inheritance”, and it is good, sold a lot, money going to the charity, and is still sold on Amazon!

        Joanna

        PS. My family name on the book is Joanna Horaim Asbourn

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      • Thank you for your heart felt and informative comment. I truly value what you think. I don’t plan to abandone my blog or my call to connect directly with my fellow bloggers and public in this way. And yes, you are quite right, I do plan to write a history of my family. I have already started with the intention of the upliftment and wellbeing of others; that will never cease for me. Writing is my passion and my call. If I find that within this month of nanowrimo it hinders my calling or comes between my passion and aims I promise you I will not hesitate to terminate it. Once again I value your comment. And I will have a look at your book, thank you so much. 💜

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      • Just last PS!

        Amazon doesn’t have my book, but if you put the title and my name on Google and ask who is selling it, you can buy even now for 4 pounds something, and it would be delivered shortly!

        Of course, if I had a spare copy, I would sent it to you! xxx

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  6. One can be prompted to write about almost anything but in the end you have to ask yourself what is it YOU want to write? Mother Earth & your imagination will guide you. Follow the star in sky that that YOU see!
    If you need a prompt, read Mary Oliver’s poem Wild Geese.
    🤗🌹🙋‍♂️

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    • Thank you, Ashley I am brimming over with the prompts of life and heart, Mother Earth and my imagination certainly does guide me in weaving of thoughts and inspirations. I look forward to more guidance as I go along. I feel that it will multiply now that I am here in Scotland. Mary Oliver is amazing, and her Wild Geese 👌🙋‍♀️

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  7. That’s a good idea, Morag! Taking a challenge gives some purpose and under pressure, one does work more. As you have decided to take a plunge, just start with what you have in your mind. Well begun is half done. All the best 👍💐💖

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  8. I’ve done it in the past but didn’t complete it. (Maybe 3 years ago?) I have a different approach this time… The book I started 3 years ago is mostly written but it still missing an ending. So this time I’m participating in NaNoWriMo with the goal of finally finishing my book.

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