Every year I tell myself that this year I will do
NaNo (National Novel Writing Month, writing 50,000 words in 30 days). By
October, mysterious forces start working in my path to throw a multitude of
obstacles in my way. This year too is no different. I was quite enthusiastic
about NaNo. I had even decided on what project I would work on. I had even kind
of worked out my daily writing schedule. I had also visualized myself
completing the 50,000 words. Sigh. God had other plans for me.
I decided I would outline the NaNo book in October. But
the moment October arrived, just like the past two years, life and writing
waylaid me. This time it was revisions and edits. I ended up editing a collection
of long short stories, a Picture Book, I even wrote two new Picture Books (I
have never written a Picture Book before, so I really don’t know how it has
turned out.) I also started revising a book I had written 4 years back. I don’t
know why I did all that.
In November we in India also have our main festival
Diwali. If I were to do NaNo, I would lose out on quite a few days as Diwali is
my favourite festival. This year, I will be travelling in mid November for nearly
10 days. So, NaNo is really out of my reach. Maybe next time I will do NaNo and
not let anything come in my way.
For all my blog buddies taking the NaNo bus, I wish
you lots of good luck. I will be cheering you folks from the sidelines as
usual. For those who have done NaNo earlier what was your experience like? Did
you complete the 50,000 words it takes to win NaNo? What happened to your NaNo
book? Is it out on submission? Is it published? What are your views on NaNo?
I never keep an ambitious target, and write mostly for the fun of it:) On a serious note, I should consider what you say more objectively now, Rachna!
ReplyDeleteWell, you have legitimate excuses for not taking part - you've been very busy! There's also Camp NaNo, which happens in other months (June and August, I think). Nov isn't usually an ideal month for me either - we're usually away too, but this year it was Oct instead!
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing every year, thinking that maybe I will join in on NaNo. But, it wasn't to be this year either. Maybe next year...:) Like you, I'll be cheering the others on.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Don't feel bad about not doing NaNo. I don't think I'll ever be able to do it because with work and family, I couldn't reach those goals. I'm going to use it as a month to try to focus more on writing and researching agents. Though yesterday was a complete fail day.
ReplyDeleteSorry you can't participate! Maybe next year try June's BuNo instead?
ReplyDeleteI'm doing revisions this month, but I participated and won in 2010. That book became CassaFire.
Aw. Sorry Rachna. I love doing NaNo, but not this year. Revisions on my novel and several picture book drafts too. I am doing PiBoIdMo though. It's fun and I do it every year. I get a lot of wonderful ideas for my idea folder.
ReplyDeleteThe post was scheduled, but didn't post. I went in and posted it a moment ago. I have had so many problems since the hacking.
Happy weekend, friend.
I never do Nano, Rachna, so don't feel too bad about it. Diwali is too important for us Hindus to worry about writing crazy amounts every day!
ReplyDeleteJai
O... I know how disappointed you must be.... But there's always another time... :)
ReplyDeleteI've never participated in NaNo. The timing is usually off for me, and this year is no exception. Except usually we go away on vacation and we're not doing it this year. But alas, I'm almost finished my current draft and didn't want to stop until I do. Plus, I haven't started planning my next project.
ReplyDeleteMan, I'm full of excuses, aren't I? :D
I've never done NaNo either. Like you I've started out with good intentions and then other things always seem to come up. I do think it would be good for me to try, tho, just to push myself a little. Well, maybe someday... :-)
ReplyDeleteHi friends...I am seeing that many of you have not been able to do NaNo for various reasons. Lets hope we can do it some time in the near future. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI shall have to look into this. I've often come across NaNo and wondered... but never looked into it. Seems a big ask to me. I'm sure you've chosen the more rewarding path! Happy Diwali to you - if that's an appropriate blessing.
ReplyDeletei hope this month you make it despite the fact of festival Diwali...
ReplyDeleteelse there is Christmas n New Year awaiting you :P
I'm not after word count but to finish my current draft and get it off to my editor. Nano is a motivator so I should make progress and finish end of the month.
ReplyDeleteYou are working on so many interesting projects, Rachna. Enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have your hands full with various projects... and Diwali will keep you busy too... at the moment, you certainly don't need NaNo...
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad about it. It sounds as if you've got plenty to do. Maybe one year your calendar will be free in November?
ReplyDeleteNaNo is out of my reach this year as well. But it sounds like you still got a lot done! Yay!!!
ReplyDeleteI've tried, but always crashed and burned... I love the idea of it, though!!
ReplyDeleteI think Nano is a fun idea, but I'm not going to attempt it with a full time job and kids to deal with. I totally understand you not wanting to miss the festival, too. Have fun traveling!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel--Nano almost always never lines up for me, but this year it did, so I decided to go for it. Enjoy Diwali and your travels!
ReplyDeleteAngela
I drafted this summer, which means revising and editing in the fall and winter. Things happen for me too. I've been wanting to do NaNo, but there's always another project I'm working on.
ReplyDelete