Monday's Muse~NaNoWriMo

The picture that inspired me this week is much different from what you're used to seeing here on Heather's Odyssey. If you spend much time on the web you've probably heard the shortened version of this header, NaNoWriMo. For those who don't know what it is, NaNoWriMo is a month where writers of all kinds come together to encourage one another to pump out words. 50K in 30 days is the goal, though no one minds if you fall a bit short. The spirit of NaNoWriMo is to get words on the page by dedicating an entire month to your writing.

Though I didn't participate this year I cheered from the sidelines and did my best to keep my word count high in honor of those who were taking part. Every time I saw a tweet, Facebook, or Scribblerati update from one of my friends about their NaNoWriMo progress it encouraged me to pick up the pencil and do a bit of writing myself. You were my inspiration not only this week, but the entire month of November and I want to say thank you. Though it's nowhere near the 50k many of you pumped out I did manage close to 25k which gave my new work in progress a fabulous start.

Did you participate? If so I'd love to know what your final word count was and what you thought of the whole experience.

Comments

  1. I've never participated in NaNo, but am always in awe of those who do. I just don't have the stamina to complete a novel in a month!

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  2. Heather,

    For someone who didn't participate, you did very well at 25,000 words. This is an impressive amount of writing.

    I didn't participate this year, but did cheer on fellow writers in their quest. One reason I didn't was because I knew I'd be on vacation in Florida for two weeks. I'm having a great time and the weather is beautiful!

    I am having blast in Orlando and I am thrilled that fellow HP fans are enjoying my adventures and pics. It's amazingly time consuming trying to keep up!

    I have just a few more posts left to cover the full Wizarding World experience. I hope to get over there today to enjoy the cool rides. Let's hope the crowds will be less today.

    Today's post features the wonderful shops and their amazing windows. I know you'll appreciate all the intricate details.

    Congrats again on a job well done.

    Michael

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  3. I didn't participate because I'm still revising my WiP, but two of my CPs did. I was so happy that they both reached 50,000 words within a day of each other. We're planning to do a version of Nano in January, too.

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  4. NaNo never seems to fall at the right time for me! I'm always already in the middle of a project. But, like you, I got a lot of inspiration and encouragement from the participants!

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  5. Hey Heather! Thanks for your lovely words about my post today. Kind of scary, posting my REAL work. lol I've been wondering why I never catch your posts. Duh, I wasn't following. Just remedied that. If you look in my archives for Oct/Nov, you'll see I wrote about this exact subject. I tried to help others prepare, but decided to opt out. I was rushing revisions for MB just so I could partake in NaNo. That didn't feel right.

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  6. This is my second unofficial NANO november. Like you I use the month to write as much as I can, spurred on by others dedicated to nano. I don't get anywhere near 50k, but I do get a whole lot more done, than I would've otherwise.

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  7. I know what you mean Alissa, same here! I'd love to be able to do it but I'm just too much of a perfectionist.

    Thank you Michael! I'm pretty happy with my progress and it was fun cheering on everyone. I'll have to drop by and check out more of your posts on Florida.

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  8. Melissa, that's awesome that two of your CP's reached their NaNo goals! My congrats to them!

    November is a busy time isn't it Elizabeth?! I'm often in the middle of a novel at this time. I'm hoping to participate next year though.

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  9. Salarsen, that's a great point about rushing. That's exactly what I don't want to do. I love the spirit of NaNo though and it's fun to cheer others on. I loved the teaser you gave us and I applaud your bravery for posting it!

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  10. Me too Elle! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I wrote just by trying to keep up with my friends. Unofficially participating worked out quite well! I'm glad to hear it did for you too.

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  11. I love the idea of NaNo and really want to participate next November. Your experience, Heather, and Elle's, makes it clear that even if we can't get to 50K we can make huge progress. That's so inspiring, I can hardly wait.

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  12. It is pretty amazing isn't it Linda? I hope to participate officially next year but even if I can't I'll be unofficially participating and cheering everyone on. Maybe we'll get to participate together!

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  13. I didn't participate this year, though I have in the past and "won" LOL.

    I have a WIP I'm trying to get through first edits on, so I'm doing a mini-nanoeditmo. But I've been cheering on all the other Nanoers! Glad you were able to get so much done!

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  14. Congrats on your past win Jamie! NaNoEditMo, I love that, what a great idea! It's hard not to get caught up in the spirit of it isn't it?

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  15. I love Nano! I wanted to participate so badly. And I did actually get a high word count, but I had to spend the majority of my time on a revision I owe my agent. So that took top billing.

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  16. Me too Lisa. Congrats on getting a high word count despite not participating and doing revision for your agent! Wow, you go lady!

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  17. Heather, your word count is awesome! I did participate in Nano, and crossed the 50k line this morning at 50,234. There's still more story to write, but I do feel so good about finishing. Thanks for all your cheering, and good luck on your wip!

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  18. Thanks Julie, and congratulations on reaching and passing 50k! Best of luck on keeping those words flowing and finishing soon!

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  19. I did participate in NaNo, but won't be reaching the goal of 50,000. I only got a great head start with 6,000 words. Oh and great job on your fabulous start.

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  20. I'm doing Nano this year. Won 5 of past 6 years (the other year I didn't do it because my son was just born). I'll win again this year, only have about 3k to write between today and tomorrow. I love whole nano experience. It forces me to sit down and write. It really gets my creative juices flowing.

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  21. I've been a fellow cheerleader from the sidelines.
    :)
    Someday I'll do Nano, but this year my timing was totally off.

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  22. I don't do NaNo because of my genre, but I had a very productive month. The Nano fever is highly contagious! :-)

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  23. Fida, that's 6,000 words you didn't have before! Great job!

    Wow Nicole, that's fantastic! You go lady! Thank you so much for stopping by and following. It's great to have you here!

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  24. Me too Lydia, on both counts. Maybe we'll get to be each other's cheerleaders next year!

    Congrats on a productive month Shannon! That's what it's all about.

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  25. I didn't participate because I'd already started my wip. I'd planned to write an additional 50,000 words, but didn't come close. Editing, blogging, vacation, all got in the way. So December is my unofficial NaNo month. I'm going to finish my first draft. :D

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  26. Me too Stina. I was about a thousand words into it. Best of luck reaching 50k in December! You can do it.

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  27. great job on the 25k! that is a great accomplishment. i also agree than any writing is better than no writing at all. i didn't participate, but did get some writing done. i'm hoping to finish a wip by the end of december, so stina's unofficial nano sounds great! christy

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  28. Thanks Christy! I love that idea, let's have our own NaNo in December! I'll shoot for another 25k for a total of 50k by the end of November.

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  29. I love the new blog look! (I've been gone all month, so I'm not sure if it's new). I did participate in NaNo this year and last, and I am happy to say that I completed the 50k both years! An exhausting but rewarding experience :)

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  30. Kari, that's great! Congrats on reaching 50k and on completing NaNo successfully! I'm really looking forward to participating next year.

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  31. I'm still participating!! LOL Taking a short break and then its back to work. A few more words to go and I'll have my 50K. Yeah! But man it's been hard. Great job on your word count! That's what I love about NaNo. It works in so many different ways for so many different people. :)

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  32. You're so close Melissa, I have no doubt you'll make it! It has to be really tough. Each of you inspire me to push myself harder and I love that.

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  33. Heather, Thanks for sharing this incredible event. And 25,000 words? Wow! You are an inspiration as always.

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  34. You're welcome Karlene, and thank you! :-)

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  35. Congratulations, Heather, on the 25K this month. I really appreciated your encouraging comments on my blog. It's writers like you that make our community such a supportive and nonthreatening place to be. :D

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  36. Thank you Brendar for the congratulations and your sweet words.

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  37. Oh I hope you do it with us next year. :) It's a lot of fun. Well, fun like running a marathon or climbing a mountain. I'm not sure it's the best way to write a book...it leads to some pretty hellish revisions, but it's a good exercise in daily word count on deadline.

    Hugs,
    L

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  38. LOL! I love that Lola, it is kind of like the writer's equivalent of climbing Everest. I hope I get to do it next year too. You're right, it is an excellent exercise!

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  39. I did NaNo this year, and finished the month with 52,000. I really like NaNo because it's a bright spot of encouragement while drafting, but I've often drafted off NaNo too. This year it was a great excuse to put aside my editing (between draft 2 and 3) and write an idea that's been lingering. But I can understand why some people prefer to draft off NaNo too ... I'm just impressed by anyone who undertakes the goal of writing a book, no matter how they approach it.

    Happy weekend!

    Portia

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