Halloween is so yesterday, literally. Now it’s November and it’s time for all the writers in the world to grab their pens, keyboards, typewriters, and leftover fake blood to begin their novel. Confused? Let us tell you a bit more about NaNoWriMo!
National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short, actually started in 1999 by a group of 20-something-year-olds in the San Francisco Bay Area with nothing other to do than attempt writing novels. They were creative, they were passionate, and they decided to try writing an entire 50,000 word novel in one month. Now NaNoWriMo is an official organization and website where you can register to keep track of your word count, your story lines, and meet other writers that are hoping to do the same thing.
Why should I do it?
Other than the reason it’s probably the best way to motivate yourself and write a novel, it’s fun! NaNoWriMo isn’t just for people who want to be authors when they grow up, but it’s for creative souls who find themselves without a canvas to paint on or a guitar to strum.
You don’t have to be the best at grammar or spelling, and you don’t have to have the editing skills of a publishing house. What’s great is that this is about writing a draft to your novel, so don’t waste time trying to make it perfect. Just think up an idea and write, write, write!
How do I start?
Just think of an idea and write about it! When it gets tough, keep going and write those scenes you might hate later, but hey, you can edit those after NaNoWriMo.
Seriously, NaNoWriMo doesn’t have to be a Pulitzer prize winning piece. You can come up with a story about Ryan Murphy & the cast of Glee turning into fishes and getting lost in the ocean and the journey they go to find each other, and it’s still NaNoWriMo quality material.
I’m too nervous, I need some support.
Well we’re glad you’re reading this article, because you came to the right place! If you haven’t already joined http://nanowrimo.org, consider doing that first. And if you’re looking for a community of Hypable writers, look no further than our forums which is full of writers and already has a support topic for you inquiring about NaNoWriMo.
Now, go and write your novel and tell us how it goes! Will you be participating in this year’s NaNoWriMo? Let us know in the comments below.
Fun fact: The Night Circus began with NaNoWriMo
It’s proof that even a simple story in your mind could become one of the best things you accomplish.
Still nervous? Check out Erin Morgenstern’s pep talk for NaNoWriMo. It’s definitely worth the read.