Blogging NaNoWriMo: The Countdown

We're so excited for Dumblydorr's new series, in which she will document the madness of writing a novel in 30 days. We foresee blood, sweat, and victory dances. –Sparkitors

I first heard  about NaNoWriMo last December. That's National Novel Writing Month to all you lucky enough to be learning about it right NOW. When I learned about it last DECEMBER, it had ended just a few days earlier. I was devastated. How could I have missed one of the most important events of the year? Even worse, how could one of the nerdiest websites on the interwebz (Sparklife, I'm looking at you) have failed to teach me the wonders of this magical month until it was too late?

On a related note. guess who's doing NaNoWriMo this year and is so super excited she wants to write a freaking series about it? (Hint: It's me.) I've spent the year mentally preparing myself to run the longest mental marathon I have ever run. I've bugged every single one of my friends and casual acquaintances to do it with me (only one said yes). I've stocked up on so many pens that I'm metaphorically drowning in them. I. Am. Ready.

You may be wondering “What the fish fingers is NaNoWriMo?” It is this, and this, and a whole lot of this. More specifically, it's a wondrous event that begins on the first of November at 12:01 am and continues until midnight November 30. During this exciting/horrendous month, you will write a 50,000 word novel (or a shorter one, if you're under 18). Yes. You will write an entire novel in 30 days.

Does it have to be good? No. In fact, it will almost definitely be painfully bad, but on the bright side, it'll still be better than Twilight. And you can take December to tweak it to perfection! The whole point of NaNoWriMo is to write a ton, not to write well.

Why do NaNoWriMo? You mean aside from bragging rights, the power to make egotistical references to your first novel, the sense of achievement, and the sheer coolness of it all? How about this: maybe if you write it, Dan Bergstein'll blog it!

If you're not already thinking “Hey, this is the best idea ever!,” you're probably thinking: “Hey, fish guts, it's October. The whole point of NaNoWriMo is that it's in November! Why are you telling us about this stupid stuff now!?!”

My response, friends, is to go cry under my bed and then sulk. And THEN give you my official response:

BECAUSE YOU NEED TO START PLANNING THIS THING, SON!!!

Because you'll never write a book if you're struck down by writer's block on the first day! You need to take your medicine, assemble your equipment, and get a doctor on standby, just in case you're struck down by the writing fever.

1. Taking your medicine. In other words, reading. Read, read, read! Pick your favorite books, and make sure you have them at hand during November. My personal medicine cabinet contains the City of Dreaming books , Inkheart, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (and, of course, Harry Potter). Why do like these books? Why are they so incredibly awesome? Don't like books? Well, that sucks (I truly, truly pity you), but you better start liking them now.

2. Gathering your equipment. Find yourself a notebook and start carrying it around. Find one that'll fit easily into your bag, but still looks super cool. You will now start recording every single thought that pops into your head. Awesome name? Write it down. Cool simile? Write it down. Funny-looking chicken with one leg? Sketch it. This book will become your NaNoWriMo Bible, your source of writing inspiration.

3. Choosing your doctor: If you can find yourself David Tennant, you should stop reading this and go away,  because you've obviously succeeded in being the most awesome person alive. Doing anything more will probably cause the planet to explode. If you have not found Mr. Tennant, go find one of your friends to bounce ideas off of and to be your moral support during November. Bonus points if they end up doing NaNoWriMo with you!

The countdown is on: 13 days to NaNo.

We think every one of you should do NaNoWriMo. What will your book be about?

Related post: NaNoWriMo Made Me Go Crazy

Write for SparkLife, before you're up to your eyelids in debut novel!