07 Aug Seven Reasons Why You Should Become a 2018 WriMo
If you’ve ever wanted to write a novel, you really need to consider signing up to become a 2018 WriMo.
I know what you’re thinking:
I don’t have time.
I’d feel guilty writing when there are so many other demands on my schedule.
I don’t even know what the heck a WriMo is.
Well, I’m asking you to put those reservations aside just for the few minutes it takes to read this blog. As one who’s experienced being a WriMo, I’m pretty sure I can convince you to give it serious consideration.
What the Heck is a Wri-Mo?
If you’ve followed this blog, you may have read my posts on National Novel Writing Month. It’s a worldwide event in November, during which participants accept the challenge to write at least 50,000 words of fiction in thirty days, or an average of 1,667 words daily.
Participants in National Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, are affectionately referred to as WriMo’s.
Why do I Want to be a Wri-Mo?
(1) You’ll Put an End to Procrastination.
You know you want to write that novel! And there will never be enough time. You have to make time. So, stop making excuses and give it try! Besides, have you ever noticed how the busiest people seem to make time for one more thing, if it’s important to them?
Sleep and screen time are overrated. Cut back on one or both of those activities and use the extra time to write. It’s only for a month.
(2) You’ll Receive the Online Support You Need.
With over 300,000 participants, NaNoWriMo offers amazing online support. And it’s all free. Whether you need technical help on writing, a pat on the back, or fellow sufferers with whom to commiserate, you can have it with the click of a mouse.
(3) You’ll Connect with Local Writers.
Every region has municipal liaisons (ML’s) to help at the local level. This year, I’m taking on the responsibility of Co-ML for the Winston-Salem area. Check our regional website for upcoming events that will include a kickoff party, two Saturday write-ins at the BookMarks conference room, and at least two more opportunities to gather and socialize.
(4) You’ll Learn to Write Through Writers’ Block.
Because your goal is to complete a 50,000 word draft, you can’t take time to edit your work. You won’t be concerned with the quality of your writing, only the quantity. Thus, you’ll write whatever comes to mind, moving the story forward, never stopping to correct spelling or grammar.
Admittedly, your draft will really stink! But with 50,000 words, you’ll have completed the equivalent of a short novel. Then at least when you start to edit and revise, you’ll have something to work with. It’s way better than staring at a blank page.
(5) You’ll Create Your Own Structured Writing Environment.
The discipline of writing every day to a deadline, for thirty consecutive days, will help you create your own time and space for writing. Once you’ve established a routine, you’ll want to continue it, albeit with less intensity.
You’ll probably stuff your draft in a drawer and forget about it during the holidays. However, when you’re ready to begin again, you can pull it out and have something substantial to work with. A good New Year’s resolution would be to edit, revise, and publish your novel in time to start writing a new one during 2019 NaNoWriMo.
(6) You’ll Experience the Pride of Accomplishment.
There’s nothing that beats the pride you’ll feel from having set a lofty goal and met it. Grinding out an average of 1667 words a day to reach a 50,000 word goal is a loathsome task. But seeing the words add up as you post them to your NaNoWriMo dashboard, makes it all worthwhile.
Writers express the feeling in various ways, but I think Dorothy Parker said it best: ” I loathe writing, but I love having written.”
(7) You’ll Be a Winner No Matter What!
There’s no such thing as a WriMo loser. All WriMo’s are winners. Even if you don’t reach the 50,000 word goal, the fact that you participated is a great accomplishment. Many WriMo’s fall short of the goal, only to come back next year and finish their drafts.
As a matter of fact, that’s what happened to me. A winner in 2016, I couldn’t complete my 50,000 words of Rising Above It in 2017, because I was editing the draft I’d finished of Over the Mountain the year before. My plan is to return in 2018 to finish the 2017 draft.
What do I Have to Do to Become a WriMo?
It’s simple. Just follow the steps below or visit the NaNoWriMo Site.
August/September-Explore
- Sign up for an account on the NaNoWriMo website.
- Familiarize yourself with the resources available for planning and writing. Bookmark resources for future reading.
- Select your region and begin checking it for upcoming events in your area.
- Check the national website for updates and news on the launching of the new and vastly improved website.
October– NaNoPrep
- Begin creating you novel. You can give it a working title, write a description, and upload a picture of the cover onto your author dashboard.
- Plan and organize your ideas for the novel during NaNoPrep–e.g. list characters, loosely set up chapters.
- Use the NaNoPrep resources found on the menu at the top of the website. It’s entitled “Inspiration.”
- Check your regional website for forums to join and events to attend in November.
- Make a donation and receive your halo.
November–WriMo’s Write
- Begin writing like crazy.
- Update your word count on your dashboard periodically.
- Claim your badges for writing milestones on your dashboard.
- Check the regional and national websites for inspiration and encouragement.
- Once you’ve hit your goal, you can validate your project to officially join the NaNoWriMo’s winner’s circle.
You can Do It!
You can write that novel! All you have to do is take the first step and sign up as a 2018 WriMo. And when you do, don’t forget to tap me as a writing buddy. We’ll do this together, along with thousands of other WriMo’s all over the world.
Go ahead and take the plunge!
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