Let the Countdown Commence in Three, Two, One…

That’s right people. There are three days left in October. Halloween is only two days away, which means I will stock up on delicious, horribly non-nutritious snacks which I will desperately need for the month to follow.

No, I will not be trick-or-treating, and I don’t believe my children will either. Sadly, I fear we may be past that phase of life.

*sobs*

In lieu of the trick-or-treat stash, I shall be making the trek to Sam’s Club (because there is no Costco closer than three hours) to buy a giant bag of sugar-filled junk, and then I will dress up and sit on my porch to hand out half of it. The other half will be greedily and desperately stashed. I’m seriously going to need it. (Just like I needed all those adverbs!)

That’s right. The month following Halloween? November. Otherwise known as National Novel Writing Month. (At least, in America. I don’t know about my foreign friends, but hey—I think this could be a global thing. Anyone can participate!)

I have a few ideas, and two or three or six books that need to be written. So yeah. I plan to draft one of them in November. Please bear with me if I neglect this blog (though it’s not currently in the plans) and definitely stop by on November 6^th to enter in a massive, super fun contest to celebrate the release of the second edition of DESCENDANT, which also includes BONUS material.

This means that a whole LOT Of writers and authors will be signing out of social networking and neglecting blogs, housework, family, and holiday decorating in order to write entire novels in thirty days or less. Me included.

If you’re participating, friend me on the NaNoWriMo site. If not, enjoy your relaxing, craze-free November. It’s good to know the rest of the world still functions while we create worlds and then blow them asunder.

Let the countdown commence…

Do You NaNo?

And by that I mean do you plan to participate in the once-yearly National Novel Writing Month held in November? I’ve participated for two years in a row, and have to say, it’s a blast. Not only does it give me the freedom to write crap (which I do, but which is also much more easily fixable than a blank page) but it also forces me to pound out a rough draft in record time, without allowing me to think too hard about plot.

For a pantser like me, it’s completely exhilarating. And absolutely fulfilling. Because normally, it takes me a lot longer to complete a manuscript—even a rough draft. I just have too many distractions in my life, and pushing myself hard for one month of the year helps narrow my focus just long enough to accomplish something seriously awesome in a short amount of time.

So yes. I NaNo. And yes, I’ve figured out that it goes a lot smoother when I do some advance planning. And by some, I mean a small amount of plot structuring and some character developing.

This month I have goals to:

a) Write an outline that consists of maybes. (Because even a pantser needs a page of ideas that tell her where the story might go if I get stuck.)

b) Figure out my main characters, who they are, what they want, and why they can’t have it. (Because if I do that, maybe I won’t need the stinkin outline.)

c) Decide on a general location where this story might be set—even if it’s fictional. (Because that just makes it easier to see in my head.)

d) Figure out how in the heck I’m going to fit writing an entire 50,000 word novel into November this year, because my schedule’s already looking INSANE. This might require making a writing schedule that works around everything else. *gulps* Can we say challenging?


Writers: I recommend you try this once-a-year exercise dubbed NaNoWriMo, if for no other reason than to stimulate your brain.

Non-writers: Is there something you do once a year which stimulates you into temporary mass productivity? Tell me about it.

NaNo, NaNo, NaNo

It’s that time of year again. November is nearly upon us, and you know what that means, right?

*wiggles fingers and shakes out wrists*

No, I’m not talking about Halloween and dressing up and candy. Nor am I talking about the big turkey day complete with stuffing and pie. Or even all the excitement that is December. (Although, all those things are definitely worth anticipating.)

*rolls head from side-to-side*

Thousands of authors around the world are gearing up for this epic event. Are you ready? Yes?

*Does some full body stretching and ties on running shoes*

November is National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo, in which we all take a shiny new idea and sprint-write a book of at least 50,000 words in thirty days. Yes, you read that right. Thirty days. 3-0. I will be participating. Yes, I have an idea and characters and a non-outline, but a general direction.

And I am hereby announcing my intention to complete this challenge by midnight, November 30th. Wanna join? Check out the website, read the rules, and sign up. It’s free. It’s fun. It’s a great way to get that fiction novel written—or at the very least stretch your creative side longer, wider, and harder.

And when you do sign up, look for me! I’ll come be your NaNo friend. On your mark, get set, GO!

**Also, since November is all about giving thanks, I will be hosting some awesome follower appreciation giveaways—so be sure to keep your eyes open for those announcements.