This section is dedicated to the wonderful challenge that is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short.) Chances are, if you’re a writer, you have heard of this before. If you’re not and/or you haven’t, then what are you waiting for?
During the 30 days of November, writers of all styles and genres are challenged by the Office of Letters and Light to write a novel that is 50,000 words or more in length. This is the recommended minimum length for a published novel, though most novels are longer. The words do not have to be good, or big, or beautiful, but they have to end up on a computer screen by November 30th. Those who succeed in cresting the 50,000 mark are considered to have “won” NaNoWriMo for that year. “Winning” is kind of a misnomer, since there is no competition aside from your own struggle against things like writer’s block, distractions and excuses. If you beat the word count, you win. Period.
The main goals of the challenge are to teach writers to maintain pace and keep writing, even when things get difficult or frustrating, and prove that anyone can write a novel if they are willing to put the time and effort into doing so. Thousands of participants win each year, and that number is growing with time. The prize for winning consists of knowing that you (yes, you!) wrote a novel from start to finish, and that you now have something that, with a little time and patience in editing, might someday become your first published novel! That’s it. For most writers, this is the very definition of winning.
My first year participating in NaNoWriMo was 2009. I won that year, and have gone on to win in 2010 and 2011 as well. I am a staunch advocate for this challenge and think that every single person who wants to become a writer should do this. It is a lot of hard work, and there will be days where you just want to throw in the towel and plop down in front of the TV with a pint of your favorite ice cream, but if you can stick with it and keep coming back for more, it is the best feeling in the world to know you survived and made it through. The biggest challenge you will have to face is yourself, and for many of us, we are our own worst enemies. It is learning to beat our own fears, insecurities and excuses that make us worthy of the talent we have. If we can do this, we can do anything.
Createspace offers winners of NaNoWriMo free copies of their work in print each year. Many people use this opportunity to polish their story and submit it for traditional publication, while others submit their work straight to self-publication. Still others use this as a way to hold a copy of their book – however raw it may be! – in their hands, knowing that it marks the beginning of something special. I have always been the latter.
Despite my very clear and very honest warnings that these are not “real” books and are not ready for distribution yet, my friends and family have insisted on acquiring book copies and PDFs of my work. (I love you guys, even if you exasperate me!) They are very much first drafts, as anything freshly minted from NaNoWriMo will be. I will not be making book copies available to my readers here for this reason. I refuse to have you pay for something that I would not send to a traditional publisher yet.
However, for those that are willing to accept the imperfections and raw, shotgun-fueled word count, I have decided to offer copies of my PDFs. My hope is to get lots of feedback so that I know where I can improve when it comes time to sit down and take a serious look at editing. If you take the time to read them, I ask that you please take the time to send me a comment or email letting me know what you thought of them. I am trying to learn and grow into a writer that is ready for true publication, and without feedback, getting there is difficult, if not impossible. Rest assured I know they are not perfect; criticism is just as welcome as praise. Be honest and I will appreciate every comment.
To find the PDFs, select which novel you’re interested in by using the menu at the top of the screen. They are listed in the drop-down menu that appears when your mouse cursor is resting over the word “NaNoWriMo.”