Yes, you read that correctly. I’m a NaNo Rebel.
Last year, November 2010, I participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and met the goal of 50,000 words, going over by about 265 or so. I started with nothing and got the main part of a novel written .. if it can be edited to be suitable as one, that is. I even kept track here on my blog by making daily reports. This year, although my available time has changed considerably, I decided to try again – but as a Rebel.
What’s a NaNo Rebel, you ask? Someone who is participating in NaNoWriMo and bending the rules a bit. (There is actually a category for rebels, so it’s not considered cheating.) Instead of starting from scratch I am picking up where I stopped last year with the purpose of finishing the story I left unfinished. I ‘won’ last year by writing over 50000 words, but the story itself has not been completed. I would like to finish it during this year’s challenge, otherwise I may never get back to it.
You also may wonder how I am doing this time. Not well, I’m sorry to say. I got off to a slow start, not writing anything until day 7, and then I wrote less than 500 words. That is not good at all, seeing as by that time I should have had over 11000 words down. The ideal is to write 1667 words a day, so for day 22 (today) I should have over 36600 words written, but .. you guessed it! I’m nowhere near that number. I have over 5000 words written but much less than where it should be at this late date in the 30 days allotted. I’m in big trouble if I want to ‘win’ NaNoWriMo this time. Or should I see it as a HUGE challenge and try to get ‘er done anyway?
I also am again participating in PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) and have several more than the 22 ideas needed by this date. I’m not worried there, but I believe that I have fewer really good ideas this year. A scarce few of those may make good picture books, but I’m sort of pulling them from the bottom of the barrel, it seems.
I’m wondering if the way I have to divide my life now is what’s making the difference. My muse is not sure when to come out to play anymore. 🙂
Oh, well, I will keep plugging away at it.
Are you taking part in NaNoWriMo this year? Do you try any other writing challenges?
Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂
Polilla Writes 
You go! I am slowly reverting back to my rebel ways since I haven’t been able to keep up with my initial goals. Rebels rock on!
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yay! It’s nice to have a friend along with me in this NaNo Rebel journey. 🙂
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Because my life is much like yours, Polilla, with that dichotomy due to parent care needs, I don’t try to dedicate time to organized writing challenges except the ones I give myself! But I have found that because my writing time is limited the moments I do get are such great reasons for giving thanks!!
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Sue, you are wiser than I, and an inspiration to me. You have the ‘writing thing’ down, as a best selling author you know how to do it the right way .. whatever that may be. 😉
Sometimes I just add on too much for myself, but having completed NaNo once here I am trying again but with added challenges. Not wise, just recklessly making the attempt. 🙂 Seven days left and I have set myself up for failure .. even though I am of the belief that even trying means success on some level.
Thanks for your comment, Sue. Blessings.
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You have written over 5,000 words in the last 22 days? Wow! That’s much more than I have written. I don’t participate in NaNoWriMo because I know I’d never meet the goal. You’re doing great, Lynn. Being a rebel is much more interesting. Don’t you think?
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More interesting? hmmm I don’t know about that as a NaNo rebel, but being a rebel in other situations has its finer moments. 🙂
You always seem to throw a different light on things, Laura. 🙂 Thanks!
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I remember you being SO excited about it last year! Great to see you over at my place recently. You are one of the very first people that followed my blog when I started it. I will never forget you! 🙂
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Hi Esther! Great to see you back.
I had forgotten about being one of the first to your blog, you are certainly a busy blogger now and good at it, too. 🙂
(And I’m glad you will not forget me. That’s sweet.)
Thanks for taking time to visit me and leave a comment.
I wish you all the best on the soon arrival of your newest baby, and I pray all will go well for Baby and Mama.
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LIke Laura, I never even try for NaNoWriMo and I think you are very brave to do so Lynn. I think you are doing very well and I know you will feel better for making the effort. I am cheering for you!!
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Thank you, Darlene! I can certainly use the cheering section. 🙂 Not being able to keep writing steadily during the day, I write what I can when I can. Today was better, I got over 2000 words written, but oh my! I have so many more to capture and report before the final stroke of the clock on November 30! And, my story has developed in another direction but will all tie together — hopefully — by the end. Imagination amazes me! 🙂
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