Let’s start off by answering the question you might be asking. What the heck is NaNoWriMo and what does that stand for? I’m sure you have seen the words NaNoWriMo floating around if you are any kind of writer.
What is NaNoWriMo?
NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month and it is a non-profit writing event held in November. Where authors all over the world try to write 50k words in the month of November. Some succeed and others don’t. The community is wonderful and it never hurts to get started on your novel no matter if you win or lose.
What makes Camp different from the November NaNoWriMo?
Camp NaNoWriMo is a twice a year event hosted by the same group, taking place in April and July every year. Camp is more flexible; you can set any writing goal, edit, revise, outline, whatever type of project you desire.
Why would I want to do this to myself?
There are many reasons why we do this. It encourages a writer to get in the routine of writing. Some people work well under pressure of a deadline, while others like the community aspects of an event like this. Not only will you find groups and a forum on the NaNoWriMo site but you can find groups on any type of social media. Encouraging each other on their goals. The other lovely thing is that even if you don’t meet your goal you still have words on the page and no one can take that from you.
Now that we’ve settled that, and you’re still with me. Let’s get on to how to start and prepare. Here is what Camp NaNoWriMo says about it. “To participate in Camp NaNoWriMo, just announce a project, then make sure to check “Associate with a NaNoWriMo event”, and select the current Camp NaNoWriMo event. Once you’ve done that, you should be ready to start tracking your project! You’ll be able to start tracking your writing on April 1 / July 1 on our website!.
Once you’ve reached your writing goal, the site will automatically confirm your win, and you’ll receive a certificate celebrating your achievement, along with a bunch of other winner goodies!”
You can find the social media badges and banners here https://nanowrimo.org/what-is-camp-nanowrimo
Let’s break this down.
Come up with a project.
For camp you can do any type of project:
Write a draft of any size
Outline a story
Revise a draft
Edit a draft
Format a draft
Take a few moments and think about what you would like to try as a challenge for the month? I will share my goal later in this blog.
Make a plan
After you have your project. Make a plan.
For any project, it is best to start with a calendar of the month. Mark off any days you know you won’t be able to work on your project for any reason. I take one day off a week for rest and to catch up on other projects like housework.
You might also want to take off days if you live with a chronic illness.
After you have marked these days off, look at how many days you have left to work.
Count those days and make a realistic and low goal for each working day.
Don’t push yourself too hard, remember that it is always a nice surprise if you exceed your goal.
Sign up
Go to the NaNoWriMo site and create your project and associate the project with the event of your choice. You can also work with the site during the off-season.
But you might be saying wait, Ms. Crow!
What do I do if I’m not drafting? What if I’m revising or editing where a word count won’t work? Here is their solution to this issue.
I’m using the time so my project looks like I’m writing 1800 words but really I’m going to work for 1800 minutes this month on my revision project.
Announce
Spread the word, use their badges, make your own art and tell everyone what you’re working on. I’m sure your friends will be happy to cheer you on.
Here is my art for my project.
Get some writing buddies
This is the lovely component of these types of challenges, community. You can find groups and the forum on the site. Join groups on your favorite social media. Here are some lovely groups to join.
Heart Breathings Word Sprint Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/hbwordsprints
#LGBTQWriMo on Twitter and Instagram
Just to name my two favorites.
Join some sprints
You can search for sprints.
To search YouTube simply go to the search menu bar and type in writing sprints live and it will give you a list of sprints that are happening.
On Twitch go to the search bar and type in writing sprints.
The Facebook group I listed above has sprints every day.
I’m hosting sprints on my Discord server for the whole month.
Simply go here and scroll down to the Discord form and fill it out to get your link.
Don’t be discouraged, ask for encouragement
Talk to your friends and writing buddies when you get into a slump or don’t think you’re going to make it. That is what we are here for. Every time you sit down and put words on the page you are winning even if you think they are the worst. Because some will never get that far because of fear.
Reward yourself
This has always been a hard one for me. When you make your plan include rewards for achievements. I have to make sure that my rewards are not food-based because of my health which makes it doubly hard but I’ve been very creative of late.
More resources
NaNoWriMo Pep Talks https://nanowrimo.org/pep-talks
Quick Character generator https://www.rangen.co.uk/chars/quickchargen.php
Reverse Dictionary https://www.onelook.com/reverse-dictionary.shtml
To get a copy of my Sprint Tracker Sheet and Short Story Outline Worksheet simply comment on this post asking for a copy of these items.
What I’m doing for July Camp NaNoWriMo
I’m revising the novel I drafted in November 2020 Obsidian Vendetta with a goal of spending 1800 minutes revising on the project in July.
Avril Florez, a half-fairy detective for Fort Worth Texas PIR (Paranormal Investigation and Registration) must find a killer and prove the Master Vampire’s innocence before she is ordered to execute him for going rogue. All while her personal life falls apart and adding to that stress she becomes a new Godmother and is unsure if the Master Vampire really wants her to save his hide. Thank goodness she doesn't believe in relationships in the first place. After all, everyone who pretends to love you leaves in the end.
A P.I.R. Novel
If you enjoy my content please think about buying me a Cup of Tea.
What I’m reading
I’ve not read any of the others in the series but I think I will because this one is so good so far.
What I’m watching
Challenge
Not only am I revising this next month I’m also taking part in a challenge set by the owner of the Facebook Group Heart Breathings. It’s the don’t break the chain. So I’ll be revising every day of the month so I don’t break the chain of writing work.
Writing Prompt of the week
On my Discord server, we do a writing prompt of the week now. If you would like you can come over and write with us or you can share your results from the prompt in the comments of this post.
Prompt
I’ll share with you mine.
The five things I need to accomplish before December will be accomplished in this amazing order.
Use my magical abilities to generate sales for my collection of symbols on a group of pressed wood pulp or the collection of 1’s and 0’s in the electronic ether that surrounds this roundish rock in the milky way galaxy.
Tell the story of heartbreak and lies of omission. When is it better to not tell someone they have a being that contains a bit of their genetic code? Maybe when it is more important that they live their most authentic life in peace.
Share the lovely tale of a platonic relationship between a convicted con and a bodyguard who shared a traumatic few months trying to protect the woman they both care for. After all, you can’t leave a buddy behind to suffer if you can do something about it.
Compose a mystery of missing shifter youth. Only one person realizes that it's more than the usual scapegoats the powers that be construct to cover up their incompetence.
And lastly take a leisurely break from spinning tales from the imaginary cast in my head. So I can do all the other work that is required to be even somewhat professional as a spinner of tales.
What do you have to look forward to next month?
I’m hosting guest authors next month so please give them some love.
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This month's writing journey.
21455 words this month 147825 words so far this year.
I finished drafting a novella When I Left this month and prepared for Camp NaNoWriMo
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