Camp NaNoWriMo 2020

It hasn’t been long, but I already have another writing update for you.

Are you aware that November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? Did you know that every November, an online community of writers all do the best to write 50,000 word novels from November 1 to November 30th? It’s a cool idea, right? You sign up and get connected with other passionate writers. Suddenly, the blank pages in front of you don’t seem so daunting. You have thousands of people facing the same challenge and supporting you along the way.

But how can I expect to craft a publishable novel in just 30 days? I won’t be. I’m well aware that the project I complete at the end of the month won’t be a masterpiece. It’ll be a …one-half draft? Not exactly a zero draft, but definitely not a completed first draft. It’ll require edits, redrafting, and likely, restructuring my timeline (because in my mind everything can happen in a single week).

The point is, at least for me, it is a way to force me to write and finally finish my draft. You know I plan out word count goals and try to hold myself accountable in my planner. Why not add a bit more fun and earn some badges and connect with fellow writers during the process?

Now, we finally reach the important question. Why am I talking about NaNoWriMo, which happens in November, at the end of June? Because I have impulsively decided to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo. Camp occurs in April and July. The theory is the same. You set a word count goal and can connect with fellow writers to stay motivated. The difference is, you don’t have to write a novel. You can work on any writing project. In fact, I will be continuing with the novel draft I’m working on but my goal is to finish it during Camp NaNoWriMo.

As you may know from my last writing update, I started my draft in the beginning of February when I was really needing some representation in my life. Then I dropped it for 4 months!!!! I picked it back up last month and have been writing a few hundred words a day. I have it outlined (that’s correct I am more of an outliner than a pantser) and the only thing stopping me from finishing this draft is motivation.

So, on July 1 my timer officially begins. I set my word count goal based on how much more I think I need to complete it. Who knows if the story will be complete when I do hit that number, but I do know that when I hit the goal, my draft will have doubled in length. That’s a lot more progress than I would have made going at my current pace.

If you are interested in Camp NaNoWriMo and wanting to work on a creative project, it’s free to sign up. You just register and the project begins July 1. Once you register, the website opens up a lot of resources and pep talks by some well-known authors (Jasmine Guillory anyone!?) to keep you going. If you are interested in joining a writing group with me, let me know on one of my platforms and we can get one started!

I’ll try and update once a week during Camp NaNoWriMo and let you know how it’s going. Until July 1, I’ll keep working on my draft and start prepping to make sure I can hit that word count goal!