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By SHARON K. GILBERT
November 1, 2008
OK, ALL YOU writers out there! Sharpen your pencils, poison your pens, or just nimble up those typing fingers, because it’s National Novel Writing Month! That’s right, the thirty days of November offer up a once a year chance to throw caution to the wind and write like there’s no tomorrow.
Derek and I have participating in NaNoWriMo since 2002, and it’s an exercise that clears the cobs and dusts out the attic, so to speak. I love it, because it’s the one time of the year that I can say to myself: Forget the housework and the other daily nags, just write!
The challenge of NaNoWriMo is to finish a novel of at least 50,000 words. Truthfully, many who reach that numerical goal probably don’t have a finished novel yet, but the discipline gained in setting daily goals and reaching them is immeasurable.
This year, I’m working on two books at the same time. I’m drastically late in releasing Doctrines of Demons, which had undergone two re-writes, and I’m now on my third. So, I’ll be finishing that this month while writing Powers and Principalities at the same time. Sound crazy? No doubt, it is, but that’s half the fun. Going crazy.
Regarding Doctrines of Demons, let me tell you that it’s been an uphill climb to get this book right. I haven’t wanted to release something that felt untrue to the characters. Last week, I finally hit on it, and I’ve been typing like mad ever since.
Today is Day One of the 50k marathon, so I’ll most likely head to the local junk food section and stock up on Krispy Kremes and good coffee beans. I suggest you do the same. Writing in a whirlwind is insane but invigorating, and I highly recommend it!
If you haven’t already joined NaNo, just head over to the website (nanowrimo.org) and sign up! It’s free (though donations are appreciated), and all you have to do to win is write 50k or more words before midnight on November 30th. Come on! Join me! My username there is ‘WriteSister’.
Ok, back to the plot…..let’s see, where did I put that shovel?…
Sharon:
Always love to read your books ~ Was hooked after the first one few years ago!
Try to keep up with you & Derek, but
you guys move more than I do ~ Glad
someone does…..My prayers are with
you!
Larry Taylor
Mena, Arkansas
[Stan Deyo jokes with me that this may
be Arkansas Islands one day]