ANYONE who wants to join us, PLEASE DO SO.
If you aren't SURE if you want to join us, but you MIGHT, PLEASE JOIN.
If you know you won't but want to offer immoral support (hey, I set it up--I can ask for whatever kind of support I want) PLEASE JOIN US!
We are under BuNoWriMo at Facebook. (there are 24 members already! If I was supposed to invite you and forgot, FORGIVE ME!--Alex, you weren't forgotten, but I can't find you, are you on FB?) We did it there because we figured no matter WHERE we did it, people would have to join SOMETHING, and people are mostly already THERE. If you DON'T really want a FACEBOOK account, sign on under a pen name and let us know... then you aren't stuck being friends with people you aren't really friends with. The plan is to stay 'invite only' until right before (Maybe Saturday) and give people a chance to voice objections--if no objections, we will go public. See, I'm a kindly, opinion seeking kind of ruler...
So I have no clue yet whether I am getting this cozy gig, so I am writing one thing or another, ne? Well if I write the ONE thing, I am four chapters in already, with some plot loops mapped out (if I can find them *shifty*). If I write the OTHER, I have an IDEA... Oh it's a wonderful, terrible, awful idea... I'm REALLY excited about it...
So last night I drew the 'institution'--oh, before you go getting all impressed with my art skills, I used graph paper and mostly counted squares (four feet per square, what size would this type of room have to be). I am no artiste, but I did always get As in mechanical drawing. I've also written a list of characters (institutional staff and 'residents'), though I have yet to name people... names have always just sort of come to me, but I am feeling a little blocked...
I've got the adrenaline rush going that only a WriMo seems to build. I am antsy with anticipation and excited to get going, and feeling a lot of love for my writer friends... It's a warm squishy sensation. Some of my friends who couldn't do it last time are in, though sadly, a couple who did are out... guess that is the cyclical nature of this thing... I think the real strength of WriMos is that such stamina is needed to finish a book, but stamina with an end in sight is SO MUCH easier than indefinite stamina.
Related... Sort of...
I had a couple friends who were AMAZING yesterday with their blogs... not that that doesn't happen all the time, but seriously... AMAZING.
The first two helped me think about my WRITING PREP (for the above)
Crazy Jane had a post about not getting complacent... making up your mind, and then following through at every level. It was a great reminder.
And then Erica at Chapter by Chapter did this experiment... blindfolded herself for four hours... just to see what her other four senses noticed because she felt like her writing descriptions depended too much on visual cues... COOL, huh? I love it when my writer friends are so smart!
And then finally...
What Have Books Meant to You?
Everything, right? I mean... we're WRITERS, most of us. We would not be called to do what we do, if we didn't love BOOKS. As a young reader, I had little guidance. My mom was only 18 when I was born and frankly, was clueless. We HAD books, and when I was REALLY little, it was fine... and I remember a couple really GREAT books she read to me (Tom Sawyer, Little Women), but she didn't know how to find appropriate chapter books for me AT ALL (and I think assumed they'd help me at school--wrong). So I stumbled around... reading skill slightly lagging my interests... it took until 7th grade when I discovered 'paranormal' before I found things that fit interest and skill. I think I've done far better by my kids, but part of that is that in the meantime, I became a real reader (and lover) of YA... and there is the internet to find recommendations... and my friend Leanne who's read EVERYTHING. But imagine if you didn't have access to books...
My Thursday Twin Natasha has found an organization dedicated to getting books to kids who would otherwise not have them. PLEASE go check out her blog today and pass it on! Books Make a Difference.
This is one of those feel good things that is EASY and HELPS... (love those).
27 comments:
Thank you dear bones! I'm glad you were galvanized. And as to your too many projects not sure which way to turn thing I'm going to quote one of my Buddhist teachers, Pema Chodron, "Rest in the insecurity. Remember that when we lose ground we habitually panic and look for something solid to hold onto: that's a description of samsara. Go at your own pace. And don't push it. but continue to train in resting with insecurity." I find that very helpful - perhaps you will too. And I'm sure Pema meant to add that you can rest NAKED in the insecurity!
I'll be away on vacation most of June and July, so I won't be able to join your wrimo, but I wish you and your group much success and FUN!
I LOVE the advice Jan gave above. Perfect.
Love,
Lola
Isn't it cool that within the space of about an hour, three cool gals from three different continents blogged about exactly the same thing!
Yes, I am talking BurNoWriMo, and I am so excited I got a rebel way to join in. Now to think of the story, because something tells me I really need to plan to be able to tell a story in 30 drabbles!
And not read Jan's post yet- yesterday was one of those bad bad days, and I can only do Jan when I have lots of time to digest.
*chews lip*
*looks around for second opinion*
I've never done a WriMo. I'm not going to write if there's some study abroad thing going on here, but... I think... I will. I think I could use another writing outlet. Is there somewhere I could find the rules/guidelines? I checked out the Burrow and the FB group yesterday, but I'm still not clear on a few things.
Jan--I like that idea of resting in insecurity... so much less tiring than panicking, ne?
Lola--I'd say sorry you'll be gone, but you get to go on vacation! w00t! (and yeah, Jan is cool)
Natasha-I need to hit the other blogs but YES, I am definitely feeling the excitement blossoming. Tummy flutters and the works.
Bridge--DO JOIN US! Basically it is just committing to writing 50K words in 30 days, but THEORETIOCALLY you shouldn't start before the 1st and you should be done by the 30th (and most books are LONGER than 50K) BUTT... (that two Ts is suppose to make it like the IFF from algebra, but it seems to be not quite working that way *snort*) any 50K is okay by us--continue a WiP, make substantial progress without finishing... whatever the case, just committing to writing. it averages 1667 words a day or about 12,500 a week, if it is easier to divy that way. If you have questions, just ask!
I love what Books Make a Difference is doing. I've had too many students who have few books in their homes. They read during the school year, and then their reading levels slide during the summer. Even though our city's library does reading contests, there are parents who don't take advantage of the opportunity.
I think I may have to find you on f.b.!
I so could not commit to doing something like that. I envy your courage!
I think I got invited on FB but not sure? Oi, where is my head half the time, need to find out cause I will be joining on the June journey. I'm excited and nervous. I think about it and then I get scared haha. But overall just excited. Thanks for linking my nutty blindfold post hehe, me stumbling and navigating my home like a zombie. I left an award for you on my post today =D technically last night but whatever haha.
Books, I was a phase reader until about 22. I went to a school where the mandatory reading sucked the joy out of everything so I resented reading for quite some time. Sad, I know. Great link for the books for kids I will check it out...that and if I am actually joined on FB
Theresa--Absolutely! I love the library stuff, but I think some families are SO BUSY (never mind the single parent ones that just don't have the time to get there). I use my library ALL the time, but it is a good system where I check out books on line and just have to stop and pick them up. Not all systems are so fabulous.
Sugar--sent you (at least I think it was you!) a friend request! (will invite you when accepted)
Oh, come on Jessica--all the cool kids are doing it! (kidding--sometimes things just don't fit)
Erica, you HAVE got a FB invite--I had to look around though--I get so many invites that I turned off notification and had to GO TO groups to see all that.
Just wanted to wish you all good luck! This sounds amazing. I'm not in (too busy in June) -- just saying I think it sounds amazing! I really love your design too.
This is probably one of the best ways to crank up the writing gears and shake off rust! Have fun!
Barbara
Awesomeness!! I can't wait..it is just the push I need to maybe-finish my wip!! Well...the first one..I have a bizillion more going..thanks Wt luff you!
Barbara-thank you! I agree that this kind of adrenaline really works to get it GOING. Appreciate the good wishes!
And Sugar-excellent! Glad you're joining us! luff-you back!
Got it, FB didn't alert me so I had to dig around for it, but now I am officially confirmed :)
Great idea! I'd love to start a new novel but I have to finish my edits first. Good luck with it, though!
Good luck! I considered it but my sister AND my Dad are getting married in June. I'm in both wedding parties and have revision deadlines. Rather than set myself up for failure, I'll probably pass THIS time.
Erica--You're IN!
Talli--Oh, come on...hurry the edits then join us!
Dawn: Poo! They'll understand! Okay, so they won't but maybe you could try to keep the pace except those couple weekends... Or set it at 2000 words a day to factor them in... (am I tempting you?)
Having succeeded last year at Nanowrimo, I may give this a try. Speed writing was always my style anyway!
This sounds like a no holds barred approach... jump and see what happens! I think it is great;
Can one join and be supportive? I don't know if I am up to the challenge yet. I want to write...there is so many ways to go. I guess I need a book, I mean a compass. Some direction then Grammar for dummies ;-D
Wow, amazing how much you pumped out today! Great links~
I can't commit to writing in June as I have too much going on, but I will be in the cheering section. If you could return the favor in November and cheer me on I would appreciate it.
All of you are welcome to join! We'd LOVE it. Find us on Facebook! Right now it SAYS closed, but that is just me respecting opinion of members--I wanted to make sure no one had any objection to being open--but if you ask to be let in, I will approve it!
James, I've written both fast and slow, and the fast is definitely a better way to get it all out!
Ellie-just joining us to WRITE is GREAT. You can either 'do your best' or set a different goal (I think a specific goal helps, but it can be a lesser goal).
Dragon's Muse-we are THRILLED to have cheerers, and HAPPY to reciprocate in November (probably a good portion of us will join you then, too!)
Hello! I was pointed here by a post from Debbie Ohi. Your timing is impeccable - I am starting the second draft of a NaNoWriMo novel in June. My plan is to write 100k in two months, so joining this group to do the first half of the draft should get things going nicely.
Thank you!
Found the Facebook group, joining request issued - and now I wait on tenterhooks...
We're happy to have you! Is Debbie Ohi Inkygirl, or do we have a second advocate out there?
I did the Young Writer's Program of NaNoWriMo back when I was 18 and belted out my first novel. After that I've started rewriting it and writing a new novel but I haven't had much time with college.
Since then I've mostly written Three Word Short Stories and even started as series. You can find out what I'm talking about in my blog, Random Ramblings of a Plane Watcher.
http://leiracarola.blogspot.com
Summer is the perfect time for me to sign up for a NaNo. I'm so happy you did this!
I am most definitely joining.
Here's a link to some writing starters that I created for NaNo. There are 6 sets altogether. Have fun!http://wrightwriter.wordpress.com/2009/10/19/writing-starters-instalment-1/
This is a really great Idea. I blogged about it. :)
http://parafantasy.blogspot.com/
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