Camp NaNoWriMo

This is my official declaration that I am participating in Camp NaNoWriMo 2016. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is an organization that fosters creativity for writers world-wide. In November, millions (maybe?) of writers gather virtually and in person to encourage each other through writing a 50,000 word novel in one month. 

I took a crack at this in November. The first few days were great. I was meeting my word goal. The exposition was coming pretty naturally for me. It was once I got into the middle that things started to get complicated. My novel started falling apart. The original trajectory now seemed completely overwhelming, but that trajectory was essential to my characters. They needed to end up there. How could I get them there? On top of all of these really hard questions, about halfway through November, my Dad got sick, and motivation to write, let alone go to work every day, was at an all time low.I ended November with 30,056 words. For the first time I ever tried writing a novel all the way through, I count that as a success. 

Fast forward to July, where NaNoWriMo runs something called "Camp," another writing "contest" where people can compete against themselves. People can choose to write another novel, or they can work on screenplays and graphic novels or editing a former project. 

I've set my goal at 50,000 words. I don't have a job this summer, so I have the time. I've got a new (old) idea for a novel, thanks to digging around in my Mom's storage unit and finding some of my old writing binders from high school and college. 

I have a little less than one month to plan. For me, writing comes more easily when I have a general outline and general direction I am headed. The words flow from me, because I don't have to stop and think about what should happen next. So for now, I'm going to keep working on that outline.

This declaration is for you to hold me accountable. Ask me questions and make me answer them. Help me think through the plot holes. Cheer me on when I think there are no words left in me. I'm excited to give this another go. I hope you'll join me!