Fetteroll

November is National Novel Writing Month. The challenge is to turn out a
50,000 word novel in a month -- regardless of quality :-)

Take this to heart:

> Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in
> NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze
> approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the
> fly.

:-)

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

You can sign up there. It doesn't cost anything (unless you want to make a
donation) and there's no obligation. (You have to be at least 13 to
register.) Kathryn and I are going to give it a try. :-)

Joyce

> What is NaNoWriMo?
>
> National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel
> writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a
> 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.
>
> Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over talent and craft, NaNoWriMo is a
> novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a
> novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.
> Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in
> NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze
> approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the
> fly.
>
> Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing.
> By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission
> to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create.
> To build without tearing down.
>
> As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all
> around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants are going
> through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel. Wrimos
> meet throughout the month to offer encouragement, commiseration, and -- when
> the thing is done -- the kind of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten
> animals and small children.
>
> In 2003, we had about 25,000 participants. Over 3500 of them crossed the 50k
> finish line by the midnight deadline, entering into the annals of NaNoWriMo
> superstardom forever. They started the month as auto mechanics, out-of-work
> actors, and middle school English teachers. They walked away novelists.
>
> So, to recap:
>
> What: Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month's time.
>
> Who: You! We can't do this unless we have some other people trying it as well.
> Let's write laughably awful yet lengthy prose together.
>
> Why: The reasons are endless! To actively participate in one of our era's most
> enchanting art forms! To write without having to obsess over quality. To be
> able to make obscure references to passages from your novel at parties. To be
> able to mock real novelists who dawdle on and on, taking far longer than 30
> days to produce their work.
>
> When: Sign-ups began October 1, 2004. Writing begins November 1. To be added
> to the official list of winners, you must reach the 50,000-word mark by
> November 30 at midnight. Once your novel has been verified by our web-based
> team of robotic word counters, the partying begins.