What year(s) did you participate in NaNoWriMo?
2011
Tell us if you won or not, and what you learned from the experience
I won. It was exciting and informative, not only about the craft of writing but about myself as well. I found that I could do it… I could write a novel! I had always been told to write, had always wanted to do more than ad copy and blog posts, but I needed a little push. I needed something to kick me over the line and NaNo was that kick for me.
I just couldn’t entertain the idea of failure. It’s one thing to be judged against another and find that they do it better. I can live with that. But, to set a goal and fail because I didn’t try hard enough was unacceptable to me.
The whole experience changed me. I have since published a novel, (not my NaNo story), and am currently working on the sequel. My involvement with NaNo has put me in wonderful company, and allowed me the opportunity to connect with many authors and writers from whom I can learn.
My experience is the beginning of a classic NaNo success story.
What specific advice do you have for someone attempting NaNoWriMo ?
Don’t stop. Don’t edit until the end. Keep writing. If the chapter you’re working on sucks, bail and start the next one. Churn, churn, churn out those words. When you get close to your mark, you can edit, but while you’re struggling at the 35k mark, just keep going.
I built a playlist of about 5o songs, and played it from the beginning every time I sat down to write. After a while, the opening notes of the first song set the tone and opened the door into the world I was creating. I used only instrumentals, so no words from the artists would interfere with mine.
In your opinion who do you think is a good fit to do the challenge and who is is *not* for.
If you think it’s for you, go for it. If not, you have your reasons. I’m not qualified to judge others.
Author Bio:
Jeff Davis has worked with some of the finest high technology teams in the business, and has delivered to some of the world’s most recognizable companies the high quality graphics, multimedia and print materials they demand, all over the world. IBM, Cable & Wireless, Target, Carrier and many more companies have experienced the benefits of Jeff’s artistic vision and solid work ethic.
He majored in art and design throughout his education years, and continues to regard himself as a student of the history and reinvention of popular culture.
As an author, Jeff hopes to bring his unique ideas to life in this medium.
A visitor to his studio office will be treated to the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Sheryl Crow, Kate Bush and traditional Celtic music. Jeff resides an hour north of Manhattan, N.Y. with his wife and two children.
Website(s)
Author Home Page Link
Link to author page on another service
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/NoodleBoosters
https://twitter.com/JDSavageTV
http://pinterest.com/jdsptv/
Read Jeff’s Author Interview here.
