November 2009

This November I will be participating for the 3rd year in a row National Novel Writing Month, aka nanowrimo. I would be honored if you would join me in your own quest to write a novel. Haven't you always wanted to write a book? Some ideas floating around in your head about maybe writing about this fairy princess, or an alien from another world, or a Space Marine Army taking over the entire world, or maybe just an autobiography?

Nanowrimo is a free service offered to those that would like encouragement, others just "like you". It gives you the support and commitment and structure you need to get it done. The premise behind Nano is to set a deadline of 30 days. You have 30 days to write 50,000 words, which is only like 1666 words a day. If you complete the task of 50,000 words within those 30 days, you will receive a Winners Certificate you can frame and hang on your wall at home. It gives you the personal accomplishment and the paper to prove it. Most of you write 2000 words in emails alone each day, how hard could it be to write your thoughts and ideas down during that time instead. Yes you will neglect some friends, and you may become withdrawn and house confined but it gives you the incentive to do it! There are so many other people in the world that are doing the exact same thing, and you've got Nano in common. There are forums to browse in there, that can keep you captivated for hours alone just reading others posts!

I completed my first year in Nano in 2007, where I wrote A Castle Inside that was just published earlier this week. I have been excited to share the news about that with everyone. In 2008, I conquered the Nano quest again, but will admit I had a hard time. I ended up writing nearly 25,000 words in a span over 24 hours to get the task completed just a day before the deadline. But I am proud to announce that I completed it for a 2nd year in a row. This year I will partake in it for a 3rd time, with hopes of writing a Murder/Mystery. I am eagerly awaiting November 1! Let the writing begin!

Feel free to sign up for Nanowrimo, it's free. Of course they accept donations to keep the lights on, and fund other programs such as Young Writers Program that provides kids and teens with a month-long language arts experience that improves self-esteem, teaches perseverance, and radically alters their relationship to writing and literature. or Script Frenzy by writing a movie, play, TV show, or graphic novel with us in April!.

Look for me pati_blue, I'll be in the forums periodically and am in the Ann Arbor, MI region. Feel free to send a buddy request, I can be a writing buddy!