Hello everyone!
Last week saw the start of the first 2020 Camp NaNoWriMo, which is going to need some explaining if you don’t know what it is.
Here goes. In November there is an international event that lasts the whole month, National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, where people from all over the world attempt to write 50,000 words over the 30 days of November. In the summer there are extra events where people can try their hand at writing any length of novel or even something that isn’t a novel at all, there are lots of people doing poetry and comics, for example.
So that’s Camp NaNoWriMo, this time around I am aiming for 50,000 words. I should get it done, I usually manage it, but I can’t let myself get too distracted or think it’s easy, because it’s the times that I do that that I end up failing. Or I end up having to write 10,000 words on the last day and that is not fun!
Unlike a lot of people I won’t be writing something new, instead I will be redrafting and rewriting a novel that I actually wrote a couple of years back in a Camp NaNo. I’ve been given some advice on some structure and voice issues in the book so I am working on them. There’s a good reason why people say that most of writing is editing, it’s the truth.
I love the community and sense of drive that Camp NaNo inspires in me and the other people who take part in it. It really is inspiring to know that around the world there are thousands of people working to the same or similar goals as you. And in a time like this when, let’s face it, any sense of normality has been thrown out the window, it’s nice to have something to make you feel a little more grounded.
Anyway, that’s my pitch for Camp NaNo, it’s great if you are regularly writing a lot because you can increase the amount you are aiming for, and it’s a fantastically inspiring thing to do if you don’t usually get to write much.
This is honestly something that I recommend to a lot of people because I think it is very valuable. Writing is a lonely occupation and it’s very easy to get stuck in your own head and worry that you aren’t getting anywhere. This gives you people to talk to, a whole community and special groups you can join for specific niches, and it gives you a goal and measurable stepping stones towards that goal. Also you get badges when you do things, sometimes, I think there are some for specific lengths you have to write and the number of days you write on? I’m not sure, I haven’t gotten them all yet and I don’t like to look ahead at things like that when I can be surprised instead.
Well, I hope I have inspired some of you to pick up a pen or put your fingers to a keyboard, see you next time,
K