‘Twas the night before NaNoWriMo and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The writing desk by the window was tidied with care,
In hopes that inspiration soon would be there;
Characters were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of plotlines danced in their heads.
The characters were so quiet, not a whistle or peep,
And had just settled down for a long creative sleep—
When out on the desk there arose such a clatter,
They sprang off the page to see what was the matter.
Away to the window they flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash.
The light on the page looked like new fallen snow,
They saw something dark spreading below;
When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a letter, quickly forming- large and clear,
With another following, so easy to decipher,
They knew in a moment it must be their writer.
More rapid than eagles the words they came,
And they whistled, and shouted, and call’d them by name: “Now! Characters, now! Plot, now! Problems and Solution, On! Tension, on! Motivation, on! Conflict and Resolution;
“To the start of the prologue! To the top of Chapter One!
“Now finally. Finally. Our story has begun!”
The writer had sat down with a goal that she could say
Was one thousand six hundred and sixty seven words a day
And laying her fingers to the keyboard
And writing, nearer her goal she soared.
She’d logged her progress as a NaNoWriMo member,
And the word count grew, until at the end of November:
She had a draft of 50,000 words in her sight Happy NaNoWriMo to all, and to all a good write!
So, I’m attempting NaNoWriMo this year- if anyone else is doing it let me know and we can be buddies 🙂
Thank you! It depends- it’s obviously tricky to find the time when you’re really busy and your college work should definitely come first. I do find it a really worthwhile thing because it gives you goals and a deadline. Even if you don’t reach the word count, carving out writing time every day can teach you a lot about you and the way you work. I do a lot on my lunch break and after work, which means I might have to make some social sacrifices, but it’s only for a month and sometimes writers have to do that kind of thing. I also find it really useful in pushing through writer’s-block problems, as the whole point is just to get the story out and not worry too much about it- December is for editing!
Erin Morgerstern (author of my favourite book) has a really great post about it here- http://erinmorgenstern.com/2010/11/on-nanowrimo-again/
Anyway, it was really helpful for me getting some longer projects off the ground, I’m hoping it’ll be the same this year! But, as I said- don’t fall behind with college stuff!
Oh my gosh, thank you so much! I will save those links. I’m glad you’re giving it a go as well, and I wish you nothing but the best of luck. While college might cause some turbulence, NaNo will give me another reason to write daily and to meet a word goal.
My inbox is always open if you wanna chat about it or swap ideas. Thank you again!
-Author S
No problem! Good luck if you do participate. You are also welcome to message me about it if you like 🙂 Also, I followed your twitter account a few days ago, so feel free to send a message there if that’s easier! Or if you signed up to the Nano website, I’m using the same username as I do here, so you can find me on there!
I am not signed up to the NaNo site. I’ve wanted to, but I don’t know whether it’s essential or not. Which is your twitter? Send me a message on there so I’ll know haha.
-Author S
You got this! Also, I’ve been thinking about it, but I don’t know if I should or would be able to because of college, any thoughts?
-Author S
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Thank you! It depends- it’s obviously tricky to find the time when you’re really busy and your college work should definitely come first. I do find it a really worthwhile thing because it gives you goals and a deadline. Even if you don’t reach the word count, carving out writing time every day can teach you a lot about you and the way you work. I do a lot on my lunch break and after work, which means I might have to make some social sacrifices, but it’s only for a month and sometimes writers have to do that kind of thing. I also find it really useful in pushing through writer’s-block problems, as the whole point is just to get the story out and not worry too much about it- December is for editing!
Erin Morgerstern (author of my favourite book) has a really great post about it here- http://erinmorgenstern.com/2010/11/on-nanowrimo-again/
And there’s a writing podcast I love listening to called Writing Excuses, who have some great things to say too-
http://www.writingexcuses.com/?s=Nanowrimo
Anyway, it was really helpful for me getting some longer projects off the ground, I’m hoping it’ll be the same this year! But, as I said- don’t fall behind with college stuff!
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Oh my gosh, thank you so much! I will save those links. I’m glad you’re giving it a go as well, and I wish you nothing but the best of luck. While college might cause some turbulence, NaNo will give me another reason to write daily and to meet a word goal.
My inbox is always open if you wanna chat about it or swap ideas. Thank you again!
-Author S
LikeLike
No problem! Good luck if you do participate. You are also welcome to message me about it if you like 🙂 Also, I followed your twitter account a few days ago, so feel free to send a message there if that’s easier! Or if you signed up to the Nano website, I’m using the same username as I do here, so you can find me on there!
LikeLike
I am not signed up to the NaNo site. I’ve wanted to, but I don’t know whether it’s essential or not. Which is your twitter? Send me a message on there so I’ll know haha.
-Author S
LikeLike