So here’s the thing. We’re one month away from NaNoWriMo. That’s when crazy people such as myself write a 50K word novel from start to finish during the month of November. I did it last year…and it about killed me.
Seriously. I mean, I loved it. I loved the renewed feeling of discipline and the creativity of it all. I felt more like a productive writer that month than I had any other month previously. It kickstarted a lot of good habits in me, too. And got me a lot of good exposure for my work. Best of all I met a lot of other writers whom I consider to be awesome people.
But the pace of it was just too much. By the end of the month my husband was having to help me hobble from room to room and was literally having to cut my meat for me. Granted, a lot of that was due to having to cram during the med-free days. But that essentially meant that, realistically, I had about 12 days in November, where everyone else had 30. Not that I’m whinging. (But I am.)
So here’s the deal. I so badly want to go to NaNoWriMo 2010 events. And I want to try some of the goals. But I know I cannot possibly make the full goal AND have a healthy, happy Thanksgiving. So should I just join NaNoWriMo 10 and do what I can, knowing I have absolutely no intention of finishing? Or should I just let this parade pass me by?
As far as ethical dilemmas go, this isn’t quite the Waterloo I’m making it out to be. Nevertheless I am quandrified.
Just Another Pretty Farce 
Have you ever considered this? http://www.nuance.com/for-individuals/by-product/dragon-for-mac/index.htm
I use it for Windows and they really have finally got voice recognition down. The more I use it, the better it gets.
I had remembered how clunky and inaccurate the old VR softwares used to be and how they slowed the computer down to syrup speed, but Nuance really has got it working well.
It also allows you to give voice commands to your browser and many word processing apps as well. Try it out.
I don’t know enough about how the month is organized to know for sure whether other folks would consider you an interloper or not, but most formats I can imagine have people glad you’re there. I mean, surely what matters is the discipline and the participation, not the word count. Give yourself a parallel goal: a novella or novelette to finish in the month, and go for it.
nm stole my thunder. Go for a parallel goal that will satisfy your creativity and meet your health needs. And I know you don’t like to brag about yourself, but could you please guide us to a collection of your fiction writing? I enjoy your blog and overall writing style, so I’m pretty sure I would also take a liking to your stories.
I’m with nm: we writers need to stick together, and we would love to have you, Kat. And I know you need and want the fellowship that the write-ins and parties bring … as often as the little efl-gremlins allow you. So… go for it!
Besides, setting your own goals and writing as regularly as you can still fall within the principles and overall mission of NaNo — to help writers have the inspiration and impetus to write… and as close to daily as possible. “That’s what it’s all about!” {putting right foot in and shaking it all about… optional 😉 }
Yeah, what they said. Also, you might want to have some of the writers of your acquaintance commit to NaNoWriTri — a three-month triathalon of creativity to take you through the dark months.
CLC! Hi!
As goofy as it sounds, I can’t write fiction without typing it. I can barely get it done while handwriting it. I realise that is esoterically eccentric, but that seems to be my particular bent. If I’m typing, especially when I’m using my TypeClick program that makes my computer sound like my old IBM Selectric, I pound out some pretty good words. If I speak them they just aren’t there.
I am seriously considering that software for blog entries, though. Because these are written just as I would speak them. (Friends who know me in person have complained that I talk just like my blog. Which I thought was the point of the blog, but whatever.)
Brian,
Thanks for the kind words. Really–I’m not just saying that. It is a shot in the arm when people reassure me that I have an entertaining voice. For years I’ve insisted that I won’t post fiction on my blog for a number of reasons. The primary reason being that if I hope to be paid for it I shouldn’t give it away. Then I realised that I do need some lay feedback on my fiction AND that advice to not give away anything you were good enough to be paid for came from both The Joker and Harlan “I’m a Jerk” Ellison. So I’m rethinking it, kind of.
And of course since three of my Wise Women have weighed in with like advice, I’m going with it. It feels very Mythic to receive advice from three women.
You may now give me my hymation (or chiton) and circlet of green and fab antique gold armlets.
You have any huge beasties needing slaying? Oh, wait… Gob has that job.
😉
How about doing it, but giving yourself a word handicap? Say, 20,000 words? I mean, short stories are every bit as legit as mini novels. You’d keep the motivational structure without the huge commitment.