Things Every One's Talking About: NANOWRIMO

Since people in the writing world typically post about the same nonsense over and over again. I'm going to join in the on the fun, especially when it's a topic I can get behind. So if I see a bunch of posts over a few weeks that deal with the same stuff I'll chime in. What the hey, right?

This week every one's talking about: NANOWRIMO

It's around the bend, 10 days away in fact, and people are blogging, shop talking and app downloading in preparation. Some do it for fun, some do it because they genuinely want new material to work with in the new year, and others just do it because they do it every year. Sounds like a new sexual position, but alas it's writing. Hardcore, labor intensive writing. You're expected to produce 50,000 words in a month.

To most this may not be hard, but factor in the Thanksgiving turkey stuff fest, the biggest shopping day of the year, and the bed binge afterward... 50K doesn't seem so easy now does it? If you're still saying it's easy then you're probably published or you don't care about the quality of what you produce. This is a creative juice fest for sure. It's about the fast draft and downloading as many creative ideas onto your word document as possible.

Will I Nano? Yes Mork! I will, Nanu Nanu. My goal isn't to start from scratch. I got a head start plopping 20k down on my current novel in 10 days. I figure this gives me a 10 day rest period if I need it. I'm also shooting for 80k or around about in there.

Will I post updates or use fancy gizmos for motivation? No, but there's plenty available. You can find all sorts of motivating apps and tools to help you gear up. From plotting outlines to Write or Die. I don't buy into those app dealies. I tend to use my critique partner for motivation. Every time we talk we experience a sudden urge to produce words. So it's a win-win!

So enough about me, what about you? Will you Nanu Nanu? What tips and stratagems can you offer?

Funday Monday - November 7, 2011

Another Funday Monday is here! I'm too chipper, I know, but if it makes you feel any better I'm singing the Mickey Mouse themed "Monday Sucks" song.

Now that I've made you feel rotten with the Monday anthem, let's see if I can cheer you up. Here's my top 4 for Monday. Seeing that we're now in the throes of NaNoWriMo the theme for this week is based on idea generators.

1. Language is a Virus- This site has tons of writing exercises, tips, and idea generators. I got a good case of the giggles when I clicked on their name generator. I tend to laugh at the idea of calling my character Lovie Starbuck Lorene. But to each their own, it could be useful. There are lots of process suggestions and other things to check out. I recommend that you do not visit this site until you have time to waste... simply because I found myself peeking at things for more than an hour.

2. Seventh Sanctum- Generators for just about anything and everything. I'm a geek for comics, superheroes, and fantasy. For those out there wanting to explore their geek-gene this site will let you do it. Character Generators to names of Equipment or Candies-- this particular site has just about everything. It's chock full of creative goodness. *Caution* I have no clue how often generated ideas are repeated so it's likely that others may stumble upon the same things. Still it could spawn some latent ideas in your brain.

3. Mad Libs World- I threw this in just for fun. Simply because I love the wacky combinations that come from a Mad Lib. They're hilarious; especially when you let the kids fill 'em in. This site has several including a Christmas Carol one. If you're stuck coming up with the next scene unwind with a little Mad Lib.

4. One Hundred Bad NaNoWriMo Ideas- Alrighty this is a list that made me laugh. Honestly I wanted to share with everyone else and encourage others to come up with an equally giggle worthy bad idea. I really laughed because this list almost crossed out every idea I had (not really, but close). There are a few moments of  "eh?". But it's all in good fun. So tell me... what's your seriously bad NaNoWriMo Idea??

That wraps my opportunity to cheer you up! Here's to National Novel Writing Month. I hope that everyone's attempt is well worth the struggle... that sounded horrible : > p
Good Luck and good day!

Funday Monday- October 17, 2011

My life's been a little bit like a crack-addled hamster running a wheel. Regardless here I am trying to bring some fun to this wonderful Monday. My reason for the Monday being wonderful-- My car is running again. If you've ever lost your flex pipe and catalytic converter in one day then you'll know why I'm so joyous.

Now, to the top 4 (there was 5, but the website didn't work... grrr, people fix your sites).

4. NANOWRIMO- the countdown is on! Personally, I've never participated in the official Nanowrimo contest, but I do believe that National Writing Month should be a time for writers to diligently dedicate that 20 minutes to writing on their novel. I will say if you haven't checked out the site yet there are a ton of resources, even resources for young writers. It would be great to see writing classes at colleges and high schools get involved in something like this.

3. Concord Free Press- Like free books. Well, Concord Free Press has cornered the market. This particular publishing company allows you to get a free book when you donate to a local charity. Now, you can't pick and choose the book you want. They offer so many copies of a particular book and then switch to a new one. If you want to know the why? click here

2. Romance Bandits- This particular group of ladies has been featured on my Funday Monday posts before. I enjoyed their blog when it was stationed here in the blogger world. Now they've upgraded to their own website. Romance Bandits features 19 authors and 1 out of control rooster... a golden rooster that is.

1. Tee Fury- This is a great site. They carry exclusive, obscure, limited edition cheap t-shirt. They sell 1 t-shirt at a time for 24 hours only. Yep, that's right you can only buy each shirt for 24 hours. How's that for being one of few to have something unique and special. Today's shirt was from the movie Labyrinth, which is a personal favorite of mine. Who knows what's in store for tomorrow. I encourage you to check it out. P.S. the Labyrinth Tee is still available for another hour.

That wraps it. I'm working away on too many things to count, but know that there's more where this came from. *Side note- I have no idea where that came from.

Big thanks to @delilahsdawson, @janet_reid, and @annacampbelloz for assisting, unknowingly to this week's Funday Monday.

NanoWriMo

So, the month of November is here and NanoWriMo has officially begun.

Am I taking part... ummmm, sort of. Not really, but I will try to accomplish more in the ways of writing this month than in the month of October.

I am back again toiling at Helium and posted a new intro for another novel idea that has been tossing around in my brain. I really need to work on editing the original book I finished in January. Re-tool and edit the synopsis and query into a fine piece of literature.

Unfortunately the new idea beckoned to me tonight and I went ahead a jotted down a few hundred words of effort. Time is my enemy... my goals of being published by 2012 are severely dwindling.

So, NanoWriMo, serious NO GO! But with every effort I will re-dedicated more of my time to writing. In fact I already am with this blog post :) Talley-Ho, Tweedle-Loo!