“You’re doing what?!”
This is what I hear when I tell people I’m participating in NaNoWriMo this year.
Quite frankly, I hadn’t heard of it until my new-found blogging friend, Jaime Buckley threw down the gauntlet and challenged asked me to participate.
I looked at the criteria:
Write a fiction novel.
I have 1 month.
Minimum of 50,000 words
No way! I can’t write fiction. Have I ever written fiction in this space?! I’m not THAT kind of writer.
Then I took a shower.
As I lathered up my hair I had a story idea. An exciting story idea. Does anyone else encounter fabulous, amazing ideas in the shower? Most of mine sound good in my head while in the shower but then a few short minutes later when I’m drying off and the steam has left my brain, I wonder what the heck was I thinking?!
Anyway, after defogging my brain, the story idea that I thought of still seemed like a good idea.
So I sat down in front of my computer and signed up for the competition.
November… this is not good timing.
The month before Christmas.
We have major homeschool curriculum projects planned for November.
We’re attending a weekly homeschool novel study in November.
I have my homeschool facilitator meeting in November.
I haven’t started writing the blog posts I’ve planned for November.
What was I thinking?
However, in some ways this timing seems perfect. I mean, just one short week ago I was telling you how I have a new passion to write and publish a book. Plus in December I turn 40. FORTY! Imagine if I can accomplish my “life list” item of writing a book… before I’m 40?!
So here I am. Frantic, excited, and surging with creative energy. I’m going to do this. Or I’m going to drink lots of coffee and give myself a backache while trying to do this.
If you’re interested in following my progress, there’s a NaNoWriMo badge in my sidebar which will be monitoring my word count. I would love it if you would cheer me on to 50,000!
50,000 words in 30 days?! Jennifer is taking on the @NaNoWriMo challenge! #nanowrimo Click To Tweet
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I’m doing it too!!! I was inspired this past week and I think it is going to be AWESOME!!
WHAT?! Really?! What’s your user name? We can be writing buddies! I’m… wait for it… brace yourself… TheDeliberateMom – am I genius or what?! I’ll have no problems writing a 50,000 word fiction novel. LOL
My username is amdesimone (aka my username for everything pre-blog) and I just added you! This is going to be interesting!! Yay writing buddies!
WOW! Good luck! I don’t know if I could do fiction either. You’re so talented though, you’ll make it happen!
Awww, thanks for the encouraging words Erin. I’m blushing.
Really, whatever I accomplish would be more than if I wouldn’t participate. However, the “competitive” in me wants to meet that 50,000 word goal… just to prove it to myself.
Aww, huge congrats and wishing you tons of luck. I did NaNoWriMo two years ago. I signed up and then Hurricane Sandy happened. Somehow we got power back just in time to start writing the evening of Halloween. I did write over 50,000 words, but have never had enough or proper time to edit. So, the unedited manuscript sits saved in my DropBox still.
Lyssa over at Playing the Music of Life is invoking the Zokutuo clause and joining the challenge this year. The Zokutuo clause allows her to add 50,000 new words or edit/complete a manuscript that was written formerly at a NaNoWriMo. You could join us and do the Zokutuo clause too!
I’m excited AND really nervous!
I know you can do it! I just have complete faith in you and guess what, my brainstorms usually happen in the shower too. The shower is a great place to have those creative ideas to me at least. I can’t wait to read your book and I’m rooting and cheering for you all the way! Have a marvelous week my friend.
Yay! A fellow shower brainstormer! LOL
Thanks for the encouragement my friend. I’m super excited (and nervous)!
Wishing you a lovely week as well.
I remember this from last year! I think you are cra-zy! haha Hope it goes well girl!! Excited for you :)
Thanks for the encouragement my friend! I’m super excited and reeeeeally nervous!
OH, you’ve got this! I have faith in ya :)
Thanks for the encouragement Misty! I truly appreciate it.
Go for it! One of these times I plan to join in, too. To get a novel written in one month sounds great to me!
Thanks so much for the encouragement Susan! I’m thinking whatever I get done is better than not participating… right?!
LOL. Good luck. “It’s fun to do the impossible.” – Walt Disney :)
Ahhhh, thank you for the Walt Disney quote. It should be a fun and wildly crazy month!
Hi Jennifer! I have heard of this challenge before, but have never participated. I will be so interested in your progress and what the experience will be like!
I think a lot of writers get ideas in the shower. Personally, I get more inspired when out walking, but any repetitive activity that lets your brain walk free while your body knows what to do is the key!
Best of blessings on your new adventure :)
Ceil
Thanks Ceil! I’m super excited and I can’t wait to see where this journey brings me!
Oh my, you do have a ton going on! I fully support you in this challenge, Jennifer! Let me know if I can help with anything or if you need an editor. :)
You’re offering help?! What a sweetie you are Sarah! I have a family of “editors” – they are awesome. Although a guest post in November might lighten the load… are you interested?! No pressure but if you are, I would be delighted to have you!
I really hope I can pull this off. There is a lot going on but I want to do this. There is this burning desire to get it done, so I have to give it a fair shot.
Wow! I’m already impressed and proud of you. Yes, I do get inspiration to write when I am in the shower, but not fiction. I would love to write a Christian fiction novel, but it’s just not coming to me. Coming up with a great story is most of the battle. I know you will do well. Keep us posted on your progress. Praying for you!
Awww, thanks Heather. I’m going for Christian fiction which is funny because I’ve never read Christian fiction (aside from most of the Left Behind series). My biggest stumbling block when trying to think of an idea is how do I give God the glory when writing fiction… and then this idea came to me while in the shower. We’ll see how it goes!
Thanks for the prayers!
Good luck Jennifer! I have half a novel written and sadly that has taken me years to get there, but if anyone can do this, you can! Go Jennifer go!
I’m so excited about this challenge. I can’t wait to see where this new journey leads me!
You can totally do it!!! How exciting that you have an idea for the story!!! :-)
Thanks Susannah! I’m pretty pumped about it… now to pull it off.
Yay! I’m super excited to be participating in NaNo with you this year : ) It will be a blast! I’ll be posting a bunch of helpful links this week on my page, which I’m hoping will help others as much as they’re helping me!
Ooooh, I can’t wait to see what wisdom you share. Thanks for being my NaNoWriMo buddy. It’s less intimidating going into it with someone you “know”!
Good for you! That is awesome that you’re going for it!
Thanks Marie! I keep on thinking I must be crazy. This is the craziest goal I’ve ever gone for. It’s exhilarating!
Girl, you got this! Do I think you’re crazy? Yes. But I know you can do it!
And hold the phone for a sec. You’re turning 40? No way! You make 40 look good.
Happy Monday!
I’m totally crazy. Seriously, this is the most ambitious goal I’ve ever made for myself. How am I going to do it?! Eeeeek!
I don’t look like I’m turning 40?! Well thank you Tiffany. You just made my day!
This is awesomely inspiring news!!!! You go girls :)
Rachael @ Diamonds in the Rough
Thanks for the encouragement Rachael! It’s very exciting!
Fantastic Jennifer – I am very excited for you, however, 30 days does come quickly but I know you will do it!! Congratulations can’t wait to see the completed manuscript. GO Jennifer! xo
Thanks for the encouragement Cheri! I’m so excited and nervous for this. 30 days will fly by. Hopefully I can pull it off!
“Most of mine sound good in my head while in the shower but then a few short minutes later when I’m drying off and the steam has left my brain…”
Then figure out a way to waterproof your computer, little sister…cause you’re gonna ROCK!! HAHAHAHA!
I’m so pleased you accepted this ‘invitation’… (snicker)
I still have to write a book BEFORE I start writing a book…AND I have 2 of my kids joining me here at the house! WOOT!
We’re gonna have early morning pow-wows before scripture study and homeschool begins. Oh yes, this house is being turned upsidown…and the BABY still hasn’t been born yet!! I think he’s going to be the first infant born….grounded, lol.
I have no idea what this is going to be like–but I’m dedicating my entire blog of November to be a day-by-day, play-by-play journal of my writing shenanigans.
LET THE FUN BEGIN (uhhh….soon)
-Jaime
Jaime… you’re so funny because I was trying to think of a way to capture those thoughts. I was thinking of audio recording them while showering LOL.
This will be fun. I am crazy. I don’t know if I can do the whole thing but I’m going to give it an honest shot.
Thanks for the challenge!
Now where’s this baby?! I’m getting out my megaphone:
“Come on little guy… everyone is waiting for you!”
I honestly don’t know if I can do this either–but I want to have fun trying!!
Here’s a weird/unusual thing….the midwife said she felt the baby was scared to come out. Literally.
He shifted up, under Kathi’s rib and nestled over her hip!
Kathi later said she was stressed about having everything ‘just right’ around the house–so she could go into labor…and felt bad that she said things out loud.
Soooo, she took a warm bath and talked to the baby…30 minutes later, he shifted to ‘the position.’ However, the contractions still have not resumed.
Hmph. He is the one calling the shots here….
I haven’t done NaNo for 3 or 4 years, and I want to do it again SO much. I feel exactly the same way every time I come close to signing up -“I’m going to do WHAT?!?”
I will probably sit on the bench and happily cheer on others who participate this year, and bide my time until the day when joining NaNo won’t threaten my sanity.
Well, if you absolutely decide not to participate this year, then you’re more than welcome to cheer me on! I’m so anxious about it. 2 kids, homeschooling, commitments… I don’t know if I can do it! Eeek! I’ve got to give it my best shot though.
Every year I tell myself I’m going to sign up for it and every year I chicken out. I don’t know if I can write a fiction story. I’m sure my husband could pull it off but me… fiction? Not sure. I too get crazy awesome ideas while in the shower. I’ll definitely be cheering you on and wishing you lots of success!
Yay! Another shower-inspired person to join the club! You should build up to it and try it next year then! We don’t know until we try… and that’s what I’m going to do. Try.
You can do it, Jennifer! You are amazing!
I’ve thought about doing NaNoWriMo (I think that’s what it is) before, but I never had an idea I’ve been super excited about. I can’t wait to hear more about yours!
I’m inspired by your awesomeness. Way to tackle a fun adventure!
Brittany
Thanks so much for the encouragement Brittany! Can you come back here every few days in November and cheer me on? LOL – I’m so nervous… I’m not a fiction writer, so this should be an interesting journey!
My oldest son has done Nanowrimo for the last three years and finished his books. He told me the beginning days are inspiring, but then you get into the grind. The middle of the month is hard, but if you stick to it – the end of the month is awesome! You have your novel written. :-) Go for it, and good luck!
Good for your son!
I figure I’ll have the most energy for it at the beginning so I’m going to write as much as I can in the first few days.
It will definitely be interesting.
Whoa! You may be a little crazy but why not? You can do it! Good luck!
Thanks for the encouragement Mandy! I need all the cheers, luck, and prayers I can get!
Cheering you on! ::Funky Cheerleader Dance!:: Even if you are just scribbling down bits on pieces of paper throughout your busy day, you can totally crank out those 50k words!
Awww, thanks for the awesome encouragement Judith!
What a true challenge! I hope you make it! I would love to write a book one day, and this is probably the challenge I should try to do that. But maybe I’ll wait until my girls are a little self-sufficient first. Go Jennifer!!
I’m very nervous yet excited about this challenge! Thanks for the encouragement my friend!
Best wishes at your attempt at NANO! It is so fun and exciting. A writing group I belonged to did their own version in January, many years ago. It takes a lot of dedication but 50000 words is doable. I finished that January challenge (with a really bad, made for lifetime story) but the sense of accomplishment was worth it.) Write daily and don’t worry about the content – don’t let yourself get caught up in rewriting – editing is later. If you get stuck just let your mind wander and put down whatever comes to mind. And above all else – Have Fun!!
Thank you so much for the tips and advice Laura! I’ll keep them in mind during this journey.
It should be quite the adventure.
I’ve heard about this from a few fellow bloggers and vloggers. It sounds like fun. Not sure if I can add one more thing to the crazy list but love it!
I wish I had known about it sooner. I only had two weeks to plan for it.
Maybe you could join next year and take the next year to plan for how you’ll do it!
Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me!
Ohhhhhh, how exciting and invigorating for you. Wish I had the courage to do this. We just got back last night from The University of Iowa, hoping our oldest will get to study Creative Writing there, she wants to write for a living. GOOD LUCK!!!!
Thank you so much for the encouragement. This will definitely be an adventure!
That is SO awesome!!!! I will definitely be cheering you on, and you made me laugh with that last bit about drinking lots of coffee and getting a backache doing this, hahaha! Either way, you’ll do it!
And if you can do all of that, I can at least get my November posts out! I am like, waaaaay less busy than you, I have no excuse.
I’m so pumped Jessica! I spent this afternoon cleaning my workspace, creating my writing calendar, arranging writing playlists, and making my shopping list of things I need (beef jerky, candles, fingerless gloves, coffee, tea, etc.).
I may not know how to write a fiction book but I do know how to plan!
Thanks for the encouragement.
I feel like I should do this challenge because I started writing a book in October 2012, I have 19,000 something words, and I haven’t touched in since October 9, 2013. UGH! I don’t know what happened, I just lost my motivation! Jennifer…you are inspiring me!!!!!!!!! I believe in you!
You NEED to finish that book girl!
I just spent the entire afternoon rearranging my desk area, planning my writing calendar, and making a list of all the things I need to buy to make this a success (candles, coffee, granola bars, beef jerky, fingerless gloves, etc.).
I hope I can do it but even if I don’t any words written are better than none!
Hi Jennifer, it sounds as you are going to be one busy Mum! I totally know where you are coming from with the shower ideas, except my ideas usually happen just as I am drifting off to sleep and seem totally ridiculous in the light of day.
My daughter did the Camp NaNoWriMo back in June or July and is thinking about signing up for the November one, but is worried about juggling her school work with her writing. I think it is a great challenge and one that you will excel at.
Accomplishing a life list item before you reach 40, will give you plenty of time to accomplish any others you may have.
Can’t wait to see what you write!
I think I’m crazy… but anything I accomplish is better than if I didn’t do anything at all.
Your not crazy (well maybe a little!). Even if you only manage 20,000, 30,000 or 40,000 words in November and finish it at a later date, that push will help you to achieve your goal.
It’s often the crazy things we do in life that give us the biggest buzz. The fact that you signed up is the first baby step in writing that book and if your main goal is to write a book, then you are already part way there…
Wishing you plenty of inspiration!…
Awesome encouragement Debbie. Thanks so much :)
Hi Jennifer!
No you are not crazy at all. Nor are you the only one to come up with the most brilliant ideas in the shower…happens all the time around here not just me but the kids and hubby as well. I think you can do it…No, I know you can do it! I wrote a tween novel with about 30,000 words in less than a month. I am finishing up the last of the editing, FINALLY! I even started the sequel immediately after the first book a few years ago. I can’t wait to read the great novel you write as I have always enjoyed everything you have written! Fingers crossed and prayers being said for you!
Enjoy your evening!
xxxx
Lysa
It’s reassuring to hear I’m not crazy… and that others get brilliant ideas in the shower too!
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I hope it is a great novel… I’m putting my heart into it!