I’ve been swept up in this November insanity for a long time now.  This is my ninth year participating.  When I first started, I was a junior in college, double majoring in two different engineering degrees, and I would fit in my words in between my classes and occasionally writing deep into the night to catch up.  I’ve done Nano around working full-time and taking graduate engineering classes.

I know some people feel the need to switch it up.  I am not one of those people.  I like my first drafts viable, something I can tweak into something potentially sell-able, something that other people are going to want to read.  50K in a month is a reasonable goal.  Each story has its own quirks, its own issues, and is a journey all its own.

That being said, this year I am attempting 100K.  Part of this is because I’m only working part-time, and so I have more time than usual, but most of it is because I couldn’t pick what I wanted to work on, and the extra free time allowed me to say, “Oh, why not just do multiple books!”

We will see how it goes.

If you’re doing Nano, don’t be put off by the people who are going for 100K, 150K, 200K (or more).  Even though there is a large group component to Nano, in the end, it’s still your challenge.  Do what you need to do for you, not anyone else.  There’s nothing wrong in playing within the rules if they work for you.

This year, I wanted to try two in one.  Thus far, it’s been interesting.  I may get to 50K and declare it a year anyway.  I may get to 50K and decide I don’t want to switch to the other story because I’m having so much fun with the first one.

Here’s the thing: anything goes.  Have fun.  Just write.

My Nanowrimo Challenge
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2 thoughts on “My Nanowrimo Challenge

  • November 8, 2011 at 7:31 am
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    I’m trying Nano, but I don’t think it’s likely that I’ll finish on time, considering that I’m doing grad school and working full time and running a book blog. At the same time, my goal is more to write something concrete, because I know that I’ll always be busy and need to make time for writing. I don’t know how you did it while working and doing grad school! Best of luck!

    Reply
    • November 8, 2011 at 7:50 am
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      I’m pretty sure my husband didn’t see me the entire month. The grad school/full-time job was tough, but it also forced me to set aside the same time every day to get my words done. It’s one of the most consistent years I’ve ever had, word count-wise.

      Good luck to you as well!

      Reply

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Books by Kit Campbell

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Shards cover
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Hidden Worlds cover
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