Thursday, September 13, 2007

Follow Your Fingers

By Nichole Giles

Last week I told you that I am taking a 30-day writing challenge. This week I thought I’d update you on my progress. As a recap, this is a challenge to write 50,000 words in 30-days. This challenge is otherwise known as National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, (see http://www.nanowrimo.org/) and usually held in the month of November. I started the challenge on September 1st, knowing that November is a really busy month for me, and also having an idea in my head that I just couldn’t wait to get started writing.

Today is September 13, and I have officially written more than 23,700 words.

I have learned something in the last 13 days. In the past I have made vague outlines, researched ideas, and always done lots of pre-writing. This time, I started with two characters and one scene I could see in my head. And I have never been able to so freely allow the characters to lead me through the story. It’s an amazing feeling, and completely liberating. If you have any inclination for attempting this challenge, I highly recommend joining NaNoWriMo this coming November.

I recognize that I haven’t yet won this challenge, but I am confident in my abilities and determined that I will. And having announced this to all my readers, I expect you all to hold me to it!

4 comments:

Rebecca Talley said...

That's fantastic. Good for you. Woo hoo!!

Latterdayauthors.com holds BIAM (Book in a Month) events a few times a year. It's great fun and everyone is so supportive.

I'm proud of you for setting a goal and working to achieve it. Way to go.

Anonymous said...

Way to go Nichole.

Rebecca, tell me how to join Latterday authors. do I have to be published?

Keith Fisher

Nichole Giles said...

Thanks Rebecca, I'm proud of me too. I'll try to keep everyone updated.

Nichole

Nichole Giles said...

Thanks Keith.

Nichole