The Challenge? 50,000 words on a page in November.
Is it Possible? That depends on each writer. We all have different end-result goals.
My Plan? Conquer that inner bogeyman by defining a specific goal!
After chickening out of NaNoWriMo eight years ago, and recently reflecting on my past writing successes (and failures) in those eight years, I’ve decided to take on the challenge this year!
Why? I have already written and published a fantasy fiction book without NaNoWriMo. The truth? Because I want to push myself to get my sequel into reader’s hands in a timelier manner, which then frees my mind to finish two other books I have been working on intermittently. For me, I need to get these full stories out of my head and onto the page!
Would I immediately attempt to publish any book I write in one month? NO! Hell, no! For me, it’s not about perfection (at this point). It’s not really about word-count, either (even though that’s the ultimate win for NaNoWriMo). It’s about what I personally need right now—to finish my sequel.
I am currently writing Act 2, and if I can get a complete draft done by the end of November, then I can get to my favorite part of writing…the art of revision! I am aware that revising is not everyone’s cup of tea…or coffee, whisky, wine…but this goes back to my original point: Each writer has unique and different end-result goals in mind.
I’ve recently listened to several podcasts about NaNoWriMo and prepping for this crazed month of furious and fast creating. I truly felt better when I learned only a small percentage of writers actually finish 50,000 words in one month. They call it “winning” NaNoWriMo. But there is also room for celebrating the progress everyone else makes too (which is secretly the point of NaNoWriMo). Any amount of word count that puts a writer closer to their personal end-result, the better.
We all win!
November is a busy month already and this challenge is a hefty goal for the fiercest of authors. I believe (in my naïve state of mind, never having attempted such a feat) that whatever each writer deems as their particular reason for such a challenge, that should be the focus.
That’s the bogeyman to defeat!
For me, I will indeed strive for 50,000 words in the month of November…because why not?! It’s scary, but ultimately, I want to get a full draft (even a semi-descriptive outlined mess) of the rest of acts 2 and 3 DONE for my sequel, Dream Keepers. If I can do that, I will have won NaNoWriMo (even if nobody else agrees).
This will be my SUCCESS! And if I fail, I at least hope to be closer to the end than I am right now. Again, I believe it’s a win-win situation. And you never know…
I wish every writer accepting the challenge of NaNoWriMo endurance and resilience in their quest. Conquer that personal bogeyman!
Happy Writing (because at least you’re writing),
Celaine Charles, October 31, 2021
P.S. If you want some encouragement along the way, I’ll be out there as cc_celainecharles on the NaNoWriMo site: https://nanowrimo.org/dashboard
Image Credit
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Categories: fiction, Thoughts on writing...
Tags: #amwriting, #amwritingfantasy, #amwritingyafantasy, #authors, #authorscommunity, #authorsunite, #finishthatdraft, #keepwriting, #nanowrimo, #nanowrimo2021, #Novemberwriting, #writers, #writerscommunity, #writershelpingwriters, #writingchallenge, #writingcommunity
Steps In Between 
Woohoo. Keep up the good work!!
Carmen
horses, harmony, healing, hope Carmen Peone carmenpeone.com
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Many thanks! 💕
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