November already, and it brings NaNo to plenty of minds and keyboards. It’s this month’s question, too.
This is my Insecure Writers Support Group post, in which we share our successes and failures as writers, our insecurities, in fact. Anyone can join in, just sign up at the IWSG Sign-up page, write a blog post on the first Wednesday of the month, and go back to that sign up page to link with everyone else–or a goodly sample. Our host is Alex J Cavanaugh, and cohosting this month are:
PJ Colando, Jean Davis,Lisa Buie Collard, and Diedre Knight!
Question of the Month
November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?
IWSG November 2023
I’ve never done NaNoWriMo in November, but I have done several Camp Nanos, in April and/or July. Many of the Princelings series books were drafted, edited and finalised at Camp, and all three Viridian series, too.
I find the concept of NaNo very helpful. It helps to focus on getting a set amount done every day for a month. Actually, I generally set my target for the month, and carry on writing for as long as I want each day, and not worry about days that have to be missed.
Which is one of the things that mystifies me about November as National Novel Writing Month in the USA. Don’t you have a major holiday week in the middle of it? How to you fit in all the family things–and, moms, the cooking–with a daily schedule of writing?
For me November used to be a busy month, although I can’t tell you now what I used to do, apart from get Christmas cards sorted, presents and start thinking about putting the tree up, and all that stuff. I suppose since there are long dark evenings (afternoons for some of us), writing is a good occupation in November. But personally I prefer the rhythm of spring to get my creative juices going.
I’ve no plans for a new novel yet, though.
That’s great Camp NaNo works for you. Yes, Thanksgiving in the middle of it all does keep some writers from participating.
It’s good that you discovered that Camp NaNo works better for you. It is hard to meet the word count of NaNo in November with the holidays.
I just realized I haven’t been getting notices about your posts–which is why I didn’t respond to things like your review of my book! Aiee!
I always figured that putting NaNo in November was meant to show us that if we can do it during a month like that, we can write like a demon at any time! I used to use it as an excuse to take myself away from the family stuff for a while every day during the holiday. It’s harder now that I’m the mom of adult children and the host of the events, but we’ll see how it goes.
I wondered where you were, but I thought it might be Maine! Some other bits stopped working last weekend. Seems like the latest update has fouled new things.
November is a busy festival month in India. One really needs to squeeze in the time for writing.
Yes, we do have a major holiday in the middle of November. The problem with us American is we don’t always think things through. I swear our country’s moto sometimes is YOLO!
As some movie character or comedian said, “You do you”, which was intended to convey that one shouldn’t bow to the opinions and judgments of others.
You keep to the track that works for you. It’s your writing, your intentions, your goals.
I’ve done CampNaNo, too! I really like being able to set my own word limit.
I’ve done NaNo a couple of times, but November is way too hot to spend the day in my study writing 🙂 Besides, it’s too much pressure for me to write that fast. I’m glad Camp NaNo has worked so well for you.
Ronel visiting for IWSG day Done and Dusted. An Author’s Year in Review 2023