Contest Alert (sort of): National Novel Writing Month

October 30, 2:52 PMDenver Writing Community ExaminerJett Farrell

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A web-badge available to contestants

November is always a curious time of the year. Snowflakes begin to fill the air with their fluff, turkeys pray to their maker, shopping malls become war zones, and brides make a concentrated rush to the altar. Even more curiously than all these events, though, is what November means to many writers.

Remember Script Frenzy? That bizarre exercise in self-torture that takes place every July? The one where scriptwriters from across the country band together in an eclectic association to each write a 100 page script in 30 days?

This is Script Frenzy's big sister... And National Novel Writing Month makes her sibling look like a blushing sprite in comparison.

National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo as its commonly known) is a contest where there is no prize except that which you make. It's a challenge that many writers might see as equivalent to climbing Mount Everest: writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. This roughly translates out to 1,670 words a day. Purists begin this process with hardly a plot in mind, writing with "literary abandon". Others plan months ahead of time what their November novel will be. It is considered a rule that the month must be used to start a fresh novel so the writer isn't left in a position where they're miserable because they care about the characters too much... but I have seen this bent, and even myself have added 50,000 words to an ongoing project during the event without much in the way of woe. Tread wisely though, again the purists in the NaNo community don't care for this approach, and it can water down the experience a bit. Also the format must be a novel of some variety. Screenwriters, playwrights, and comic book writers get their event in July again.

This marathon accomplishes a number of things. For many would-be writers, a festival of creativity like this is just the kick in the pants needed to actually write the novel they've been dawdling over. For others, it's a test of fortitude, creativity, and discipline. For some, it's a writer's equivalent to thrill seeking.

Tempted yet? Willing to embrace the lifestyle of writing outside your comfort zone and burning the candle at both ends? Here's a few tips:

• If you can afford it, head over to the bookstore and pick up the "No Plot, No Problem: Novel Writing Kit". While this sounds like another one of those 'Writer's Toolbox' gimmicks, it is actually one of the cooler ones out there. Within the kit is a condensed version of "No Plot, No Problem" (the handbook of National Novel Writing Month and a guide to writing a novel in 30 days), a snazzy word count calender, encouragement stickers, coupons that you can use to get your family and friends involved (aka, if you don't meet you word count a certain week, you'll dress up as Bettie Paige for your husband... or college fraternity! Or make them dress up for you, cue evil laughter...), a mysterious envelope only to be opened at the utmost end of need, and a button that says "Novelist". You don't get that button, or the certificate with it unless you complete the challenge. To be completely honest, I'm a sucker for things like this and having these sorts of visual aids did help me survive my personal run through NaNoWriMo.
• Whether you get the kit or not, take advantage of the hype and do get friends and family involved. Keep a blog and word count widget on your MySpace or Facebook. Become a Tweeter! Let your loved ones be your support group. Work out a prize with them for if you complete the challenge (dinner at your favorite restaurant maybe? Sports tickets? A massage?). The process is even more fun if you actually do make an event out of it and your inner circle knows that.
• Embrace the NaNoWriMo community. Both on their forums and in your own city, NaNoWriMo writers' groups exist and can be a very fun lot to spend time with. Check out the Denver specific forum and definitely make sure your home location is registered correctly. You'll get updates on when NaNo events in town are occurring.
• Soldier through it. If you start NaNoWriMo, fight with everything you've got to finish it. The prize I haven't mentioned is the self-enrichment that such a task provides at completion.