What year(s) did you participate in NaNoWriMo?
2007-2011
Tell us if you won or not, and what you learned from the experience
I’ve accomplished the 50,000 for the past three years and learned that not only is it possible to win but gets easier each year! Getting into the rhythm of writing takes some time but if you stick with it you’ll find that you can’t *not* write. The stories, ideas, relationships and scenes that only exist inside your head are begging to be shared and turned into written word.
What specific advice do you have for someone attempting NaNoWriMo ?
Don’t look at the 50,000 goal for at least 2 weeks into November, instead just write 2,000 words a day. Write long scenes, short scenes, completely pointless to the plot scenes. Write about the thoughts in your character’s head or how they make breakfast for dinner because waffles are crispy pancakes with pockets for maple syrup. Just write every day until you get to 2,000 words and keep going until you need to eat or sleep or use the bathroom.
After a few weeks you’ll find that you’re so much closer to the goal and you’ve already written more words than the average American will in a year.
In your opinion who do you think is a good fit to do the challenge and who is is *not* for.
I don’t think there are many groups who would not benefit from this challenge. If you honestly hate to write then get some software and dictate stories. Talk your novel into existence and at least you’ll have fun editing the typos.
Author Bio:
Kelly Azevedo is a 3 time NaNoWriMo winner who published her mystery/thriller in the summer of 2012 and then promptly removed it for further editing. Kelly runs She’s Got Systems and writes in her free time between travel, corralling 3 dogs and remodeling her home in Northern California. Which is to say she has no free time.
Website(s)
Author Home Page Link
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