Monday, October 29, 2012

I'm a Nut

A NaNo nut that is. (Well, I could qualify in a few nutty categories, but let's not go there).


NaNo is the National Novel Write Month event where tons of crazy folks attempt to write a 50k first draft in the 30 days of November. FUN!

I've done NaNo for a few years now. This year I participated in Camp NaNo thinking I would do that instead of the traditional NaNo. November is always crazy busy. It's report card time for me and these take hours and hours of work. Thankfully I've been working on them for the past few days, because I've jumped right back into the NaNo pool.

Why? Because I LOVE first draft writing. I love the little graphic on the site where you can see your word count grow. I love knowing I'm in the company of so many other writers. I love the word sprints. I love the silly questions on the Reference Desk forums. And I have a Shiny New Idea banging away at my skull.

So, if I'm not around, I'll be pounding away on the keyboard.

Send chocolate!

Any other NaNo nuts out there?

67 comments:

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I've never yet done it officially, but usually participate unofficially in both November and June simply because I catch the fever.

Jemi Fraser said...

Karen - it really is hard to ignore! Too much fun :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Not this year as I'm currently editing. But you can do it! You're the right kind of nut.

Jenna Blake Morris said...

It sounds fun! In a crazy busy sort of way. I thought about trying it, but December's a better month for me, so I'm probably going to try to do a personalised version of it then. I'll be watching for all the Nanoers' tips over this coming month, though.

Good luck with your Shiny New Idea!

Christy Mitchinson said...

I'm NaNo-ing, too! Which means that really I should have my head examined with all of the crap going on in my world these days. But I gave myself a ultimatum of sorts and started a 'write-along' with my CP, so I figure this will just add fuel to the fire. I'm under ChristyKate-- add me as a buddy and Good Luck! :)

Old Kitty said...

Well done you!!!! Am sending you tons and tons of virtual yummy chocolate!!! Enjoy and good luck! Take care
x

Jemi Fraser said...

Alex - thanks! I'm looking forward to letting this story out of my head! :)

Jenna - thanks! It is fun! I usually don't have trouble prompting myself to write first drafts, but NaNo is such fun! :)

Christy - yay!! I should have added my name - it's jemifraser. I'll add you tonight!

Old Kitty - yay!! I will stock up on the chocolate and spread it out over the month :) Thanks!

Yvonne Osborne said...

Good for you! Each year I say I'm going to do it then November arrives and I'm not ready. Keep us posted!

Jemi Fraser said...

Yvonne - Thanks! I love the nuttiness of NaNo and get sucked in every year - even when I'm not planning on it. Of course, I'm not much of a planner, so it's okay!

Mary said...

I don't know why I'm doing it but I'm joining you in the nuttiness! Yay for another nutty NaNo buddy!

Anonymous said...

I'm sending virtual chocolate. Good luck. I also love shiny new ideas and finishing a draft fast.

Jemi Fraser said...

Mary - yay!!! You're so crazy busy with your new school/job, I can't believe you're joining - love it!! :)

Medeia - yay!! Those shiny new ideas are so much fun! :)

JeffO said...

Jury is out for me, for reasons stated last week. Good luck, I'm rooting for you!

Jemi Fraser said...

Jeff - thanks! I'll take the support and pass some back your way :)

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Good for you, tackling NaNo in spite of report cards (which I am also facing).

NaNo is not for me, because it's just not the way I work. But I think I will be starting a new manuscript in November, so I'll be first drafting with you guys in spirit, if not shooting for 50k.

Laura S. said...

Fellow NaNo nut here!! This is my fourth year participating. I love knowing I'm writing a novel at the same time as hundreds of thousands of others, too! I'm sure we're still NaNo buddies. I'm Sunshine21

Jemi Fraser said...

Ms H - thanks! I'll need it :)

Dianne - I'm okay if I don't make the 50k - it just gives me a boost towards the end even if I don't make it. I like the habit of drafting without fear!

Laura - Yay!! I love that nano camaraderie too. I think we're still buddies too, but I'll check! :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

This nut has never been brave enough to try it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Diane - LOL :) It is a bit daunting, but I love the flow once the story gets going!

Beth Zimmerman said...

Wishing you well, Jemi! One of these days U'll jump into that craziness! Somehow I got on an email list for a local group of Nano crazies. Tempting ... but time doesn't currently allow!

Belle Wong said...

Joining you on the nut trail, Jemi :) I hadn't been planning to, because I started writing again two weeks ago, and didn't want to leave the momentum I've developed. Then I checked my stats and realized I've been doing a NaNo pace anyway! So this year I'm participating as a Rebel, and adding to an existing WIP!

Arlee Bird said...

I'm going to be backing off from NaNo just as I'm backing off from a lot of things of late. I need to catch up and not start any new projects.

Good luck with yours!

Lee
A Faraway View

Suzie F. said...

I've pretty much decided I'm going for it too. Good luck!

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - you're very busy at the moment, but one of these years, I bet you'd have a ball with NaNo - it's so much fun :)

Belle - yay!! I love the pacing and frenzy of the month - so much fun! :)

Lee - I totally understand. I've got a couple of projects I want to marinate for a bit, so NaNo is perfect timing for me :)

Suzie - yay! It's so much fun to have writing buddies :)

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Good luck with NaNo, Jemi!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Elizabeth! It'll be fun :)

Beth said...

Congratulations! As I did last year, I'll be participating in a mini-NaNoWriMo, for 20,000 words. I really admire anyone who tackles 50,000. Good luck!

Julie Flanders said...

I've signed up for my first ever NaNo this year. I'm really excited about it! I'm JulieAF over there is you want to buddy up.

Good luck! :)

Jen said...

From one NaNo Nut to another, I'll be cheering you on and sending chocolates! Send me coffee! With school AND a Nano novel AND Thanksgiving AND ... well, you get the picture! I'll look you up in NaNo land...feel free to do the same!

Best of luck and let the writing begin!
Cheers,
Jen

Anonymous said...

Hey Jemi, I'm NaNoing again this year. I'm Susanne_D

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - that's a good goal! I think it's just the whole feeling of euphoria of getting the words down that does it for me! :)

Julie - awesome! It's so much fun!! I'll add you tonight :)

Jen - yay!! It's so crazy for the whole month - but it's also so much fun! We'll be crazy together :)

Susanne - yay! I don't think I have you on my list - I'll go fix that! :)

Vikki T said...

Good luck!

This will be my 3rd year as a participant, my first year as an ML. Can't wait!

Xx

Jean Oram said...

I love NaNo too. And that word count bar is seriously a motivator for me!

Jemi Fraser said...

Vikki - that's awesome! I bet you'll have a blast as ML! Have fun!

Jean - that bar really spurs me on. I really don't like losing :)

Jack said...

I am certain you can make it. I am glad you are joining the rest of us nuts.

Jemi Fraser said...

Jack - it's fun when you're not the only nut around!! :)

Anonymous said...

Jedi, Happy to be a fellow nutcase. It is going to be a crazy, wild month and I can't wait because like you I love the experience of writing the first draft. Add me as a buddy on the nanowrimo site - sydliyah. Good luck.

Jemi Fraser said...

Sydney - I will do that! It's always great to meet another nut :) It's going to be a great month!

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Love the first draft! And I love it even more when I'm silly about it, which is my entire approach this NaNo. We'll see what comes of it. Go, Write, Win!

Jemi Fraser said...

Susan - Sounds like we're going to have a LOT of fun this month. Can't wait to get going!! :)

Deniz Bevan said...

I'm a nut too! We're buddies already, right?

Stephanie Thornton said...

You're definitely going to need that chocolate! I'm so close to finished in my WIP--I have to have it wrapped up as all you NaNoers are reading the finish line!

Tammy Theriault said...

good luck! looks like a tough thing to do...major props to you! new follower here, great blog!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Deniz - I'm pretty sure we are, but I'll check!! :)

Stephanie - good luck with it! I can't wait to see yours on the shelves :)

Tammy - it's a lot of fun - but it isn't easy. There are days where you wonder what in the hang you were doing!! :) Thanks for the follow :)

Carol Kilgore said...

Have fun with NaNo!

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

Good for you! With a new idea and lots of chocolate, you're well prepared. Have a great time full of inspiration and fabulous writing.

A said...

You're such an inspiration Jemi!!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Carol - thanks! I will :)

Cynthia - it'll be great! I love the whole NaNo experience! Hope you're doing well!

Agnes - awwww - you're a sweetie! I'm hoping to have fun! :)

DMS said...

Wow! Report cards and NaNo! Happy writing and lots of typing. :)
~Jess

Jemi Fraser said...

Jess - I know - I think I'm nuts!! But it'll be fun :)

Golden Eagle said...

Count me in with the NaNo nut category. :) Looking forward to tomorrow!

Jemi Fraser said...

Golden Eagle - yay!! I'm chomping at the bit to get this story started! I even have a glimmer of an idea where it's going! :)

Michelle Wallace said...

I admire all you NaNoNutties... 50 000 words in one month? Phew!
I write far too slow.

DEZMOND said...

I've always suspected you writers are a bunch of crazy wackoes :)
Good luck with the NaNoWriWhateveritiscalled :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Michelle - I didn't have a clue how hard it was the first time I signed up - thankfully! Now I have a hard time missing it :)

Dezzy - we are!!! thanks - I'm definitely going to need some luck :)

Romance Reader said...

All the best!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Nas!! :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Sending trolley-loads of virtual chocolate your way!! Good luck with NaNo!! I wish I had more time to do it this year.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynda - chocolate gratefully accepted! I'm hoping I have the time too! :)

Theresa Milstein said...

Good luck to you and all the crazy, I mean, BRAVE people! ; )

Jemi Fraser said...

Theresa - actually, I think you had it right the first time!!!! :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

I'm going to squeeze in as many NaNo words as I can, but I only have 22 days to write this month because of travel and holiday company. I guess we'll see what happens.

Jemi Fraser said...

Pat - that'll be a little tougher - but no matter how many words you get, it's a boost! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm a Nano Nut. I'm also a Goofy Goober. You have to watch Spongebob to get that. Good luck to you and keep pounding away!

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephen - good luck to you too! I'm afraid (or glad actually...) that I've never watched Sponge Bob, but I do know the theme song. Not sure, but I think that solidifies the Nut title :)

Anonymous said...

Best wishes with Nano again this year Jemi! I did it last year, as a personal challenge for myself, and it felt great do have finished 35K words by the end of it. I look forward to reading how you did!

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynn - thanks! I'm loving it so far. A few scenes have literally flown out of my fingers and magically appeared on the page. I'm a bit over 30k right now :)