This post is part of Patty Wysong's
A to Z meme. This week's letter is "N."
A lot of my writer friends are gearing up for what may be the craziest idea anyone ever came up with.
Yes, one week from today, hundreds of thousands of writers will attempt to write an entire novel, basically from scratch, in a month.
If you are unfamiliar, November 2013 is the 15th annual National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. The goal is to write a 50,000-word novel between November 1 and 30. (more details on the FaithWriters blog today, actually - a FW regular and NaNoer is guest posting)
I tried it once a couple years ago. I did NOT succeed (was about 20,000 words short), but I DID learn a lot about myself (check out this old post of mine if you're interested).
Guess what? I'm NOT doing NaNoWriMo again in 2013. But I am giving something else a try - something more in line with my new writing focus.
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| Click here to check it out! |
When I was looking through children's author blogs looking for ideas/a blogging focus to go along with my new children's book writing focus, I found this little challenge at the blog of children's author Tara Lazar. She is the creator of Picture Book Idea Month (PiBoIdMo - doesn't roll off the tongue as nicely as NaNo - but oh well), in its fifth year. In her words:
Sounds like fun, a super way to get those creative juices going, and besides - isn't that logo adorable? There were will also be posts by professional authors and illustrators all month- including Jan Yolen, Laurie Keller (a favorite at our house) and MORE. And those who complete the challenge can win prizes!
Personally, I'm fairly certain something like this is just what I need to make the leap - in my writing AND my mind - into writing children's books. And a bonus? There is NO way I'll be 20,000 words short on December 1!
I'm pretty excited about this new adventure I'm planning to take on in November. I'm praying that, by the end of the month, I'll know if picture books are truly where God is calling me to use His writing gift to me.
Tired of novelists having all the fun in November with NaNoWriMo, I created PiBoIdMo as a 30-day challenge for picture book writers. The challenge is to create 30 picture book ideas in 30 days. You don’t have to write a manuscript (but you can if the mood strikes). You don’t need potential best-seller ideas. You might think of a clever title. Or a name for a character. Or just a silly thing like “purple polka-dot pony.” The object is to heighten your picture-book-idea-generating senses. Ideas may build upon other ideas and your list of potential stories will grow stronger as the days pass.
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| A Laurie Keller we love - got a signed copy! |
Personally, I'm fairly certain something like this is just what I need to make the leap - in my writing AND my mind - into writing children's books. And a bonus? There is NO way I'll be 20,000 words short on December 1!
I'm pretty excited about this new adventure I'm planning to take on in November. I'm praying that, by the end of the month, I'll know if picture books are truly where God is calling me to use His writing gift to me.
Are you doing/have you done NaNoWriMo, PiBoIdMo, or anything like it? Got plans for anything new in November?
Scripture Stories: Timeless Truths
Check out these "N" posts, and/or add your own!
Check out these "N" posts, and/or add your own!
I didn't know this one was out there. Good to know for furture refference.
ReplyDeleteI'm still on the fence about NANO I've done it and also not participated. It's a crazy month.
Diana
This one sounds more doable (in November, anyway) than NaNo. For me. Which, of course, doesn't necessarily mean I'll meet the challenge - but still :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Diana!
That does sound like fun! Hope you are successful with getting it started!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barb! Definitely looking forward to it.
DeleteI like this idea! You could broaden it out to any number of writing applications. 30 creative novel plots. 30 ways to end your novel. 30 hours of research. 30 hours of working on your novel - the basic idea is to do an idea/hour a day. Thanks for the boost.
ReplyDeleteOh - good point! Never thought of that - but LOVE it! Might have to attempt something like that another month. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've never heard of this, but I'm so happy you found this, Joanne. I'll be rooting for you! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dora! Amazing what you find when you're looking through hundreds of children's author blogs! LOL
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I love this idea!
ReplyDeleteMe too! Can't wait to get started. Thanks for stopping by, Karla!
DeleteHow cool! Picture books for children...I love em even still! I'm sure you'll do great, Joanne. *wink* As far as NaNoWriMo is concerned...well, I'm still up in the air about writing fiction. But my sister, Karla keeps her finger in my back, pushing me closer and closer to the edge of jumping in and going for it! LoL! One of these days...maybe....if God says I can. *sheepish grin* Good luck with your PiBoIdMo!
ReplyDeleteYanno, you could ALWAYS do a NaNoWriMo for nonfiction! I will say that all those folks alongside me was VERY motivating (and I wasn't a "true" NaNoer anyway, because I had started a bit before November that year).
DeleteYou just do what God calls ya to - and it'll all be good ;) Thanks for stopping by!