I decided to do NaNoWriMo this year. I have done this competition three times and have won three times But I took a break since it is high pace and can be stressful especially if you are odd like me and take it seriously with winning being the only outcome. Writing 50,000 words in one month is crazy and thousands if not millions of people from across the world compete. Some meet in real life while others meet in online events.
One reason why I stopped is with winning three times meant I had three manuscripts that needed me to go over, fix and revise. I had manuscripts that had over 50k words. Those three have still not see the light outside my house for that takes a lot of time to get it in the best shape possible.
So, why try again? Well, first of all bragging rights in a good way. The prizes they give winners are not extravagant but cool. Plus I been working on an idea where the timeline was so messed up with an ending and beginning but little meat to the story line. I decided three days before Nov 1st I would make this project my project for the month. If nothing else it would be in decent shape for revising once the month was over.
To get my words in I do get up an hour to two hours earlier each day. We all know once the day starts life gets busy and the day goes by so fast. Before you know its evening and your words have not added up to the daily suggested words.
Granted my fibro is loving me so much right now, not. But at this pace I should be done, if I can maintain that is, in three weeks instead of four weeks and three days. That is worth it to me. I now just have to convince my body.
My word count as of today is after nine days is: 22,616
Do you compete in writing competitions? There are so many out there for writers. They can vary from genre, age group to paid or free. You can find them from organizations like the ones I am part of such as the SCWBI and NCWN and also in magazines such as Writer’s Digest.
Sharon C. Williams-Author 