November 1-30 is National Novel Writing Month, AKA: NaNoWriMo. Writing a 50,000 word novel in one month equals a minimum of 1,667 words per day...every day. Mind you, this is a 30 day month in which the kids inexplicably have 15 days off of school!
It kind of feels like sticking your head in a giant, evil clown's mouth. The National Novel Writing Month was started by a guy named Chris Baty. And it is a little batty. But it's also lots of fun. That's what I'll be doing starting Nov. 1.
Before I disappear into NaNo land for a month, Happy Halloween! Here in Chi Town, we have a fun filled day ahead. It goes something like this:
VolunteerAtChildrensInternationalFilmFestivalCarveGiantPumpkins
TrickOrTreatWickerParkClarkCostumeContest444FullertonTrunkOr
TreatFlatTopGrillBernardMeetTwoNewHumansBornSinceSummer
WhomWeHaven'tMetYetAndAttendThreeHalloweenParties.
Then we have to find time to chain saw up our beloved willow tree, that split off at the trunk, and fell over in the big storms yesterday, obstructing our whole yard! Then we have a variety show sketch to write, rehearse, record and make shadow puppets for.....and a mobile stage to build. And we have homework to finish. I'll sleep when I'm old.
After all that, we have a quiet, low key Sunday planned. We'll change our clocks, grateful for that xtra fall back hour, but a bit sad about the extra darkness and steadily creeping cold. We'll have a mellow brunch with a small group of friends and create Day of the Dead alters from found, natural objects.
In the evening, we'll be back into the fray, with a giant NaNoWriMo Kick Off Party of over 130 people. The past two years, I've succeeded in writing a 50,000 word novel, from scratch, in 30 days. It's manic, crazy, hard, and fun....and somewhat addictive.
They have a young writers version with more age appropriate word count goals and Dugan won last year. This year Du-Jay and Sagezilla are collaborating, and plan to write another 3,000 word novel, which is pretty rockin' awesome for 1st and 3rd grade authors. The contest has them excited about writing and provides a wonderful web site full of creative ideas, silly writing prompts, and a safe space for connecting with other kid writers, from kindergarten through high school. I'd highly recommend both the adult and kids divisions.
If you work well to a deadline, enjoy a nearly insurmountable challenge, or have had delusions of writing a novel all your life, but kept letting your day job, or endless errands intrude. NaNoWriMo is worth devoting a month of your life to.
