The question of the week is: Did we engage in the National Novel Writing Month, (usually called “NaNo” or “NaNoWriMo”), which is a 50,000 word novel-writing challenge.
Um…no…
ARE YOU KIDDING?
My first thought is, “Who the heck thought that November would be a good time for this?” Since the name in itself is “ National”, nearly everyone in America celebrates Thanksgiving. Even new-comers and foreign guests love Thanksgiving; we get ‘em every time with the feasting and fun! (Just try not to like pecan pie!)But there is a lot of work to get there. The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day on the road and in the air, so if you aren’t making plans and traveling, you may well be getting ready to receive guests. With almost everyone, food must be bought and prepared, houses must be made ready.
Did only men make the decision to put NaNo in November, or were there also women who had no family and friends in on this?
And although I know better than never to say never, this year was certainly not a year for me to even consider partaking in NaNo. I had house repairs to contend with and extra work otherwise with my husband laid-up with ankle injuries since August. I have been lucky to get something on this blog every week, and it took until this past Sunday before I got back to my sorely neglected other blog. I actually got two posts up for it on Sunday and Monday! Husband’s back on his feet and I am back , cranking away!
One year I may just get into gear and try NaNo, but gee, I don’t know. I was sure this Summer I would get my poor little FIRST novel finished, finally. It has been in the works for far too long and it isn’t that I don’t know where I want it to go. The whole story hit me right after I decided I wanted to go for a novel and I saw a photo by our Founding Fox, Jillian Chantel. Enter Former Fox Micki Gibson with a “100 Work s for 100 Day” challenge,(which I won), and I was well on my way, but I keep getting stopped.
Which, actually, has been just as well for secondary characters to leave when they want to, and for more details to come to mind, which is good, very good, since I never pictured myself as a novel writer. I am into it for over 35,000 words, though.
But no NaNo, not now.
Anybody else have any thoughts? Don’t you think that in January or February, after Christmas and Hanukkah, , would have been better choices of months?
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
I agree that the first few months after the New Year would have been better timing.
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I can’t imagine why it isn’t, Angie!
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tell you the truth, I doubt “they” could find any particular calendar month which WOULD suit me, my on-going schedule, and (of course) the other deadlines which crop up when you least expect them.
Now back to your novel — the first (for me) was the hardest. Not only took the longest to produce, but I extensively re-wrote it at least twice before deciding to scrap over 35% of it and change the focus (& beginning). My point, however, is that it should be a lot smoother sailing after you get this first one out.
I hope and pray that enough of your external responsibilities will abate so that you can have some time for yourself (and, therefore, time to write).
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Well, since the doctor cleared Joe to go back to work on Monday, I should have some time for myself now, Of course, it’s Christmas time!
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Jeff’s right. My first book took over seven years to get it in shape for submission. It underwent several major revisions before I could even think of sending it in.
The new year is a nice time to write – we’re often snowed in, so we can’t go about our business – might as well work on our stories!
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Sounds good to me! They are calling for us to have another snowy year. But I often have evenings free or partially free when Joe works and now, he is back on his feet, literally.
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