Monday, November 3, 2014

November is National Novel Writing Month


A library shelf greeted me unexpectedly by surprise yesterday. The top shelf proudly displayed a sign, National Novel Writing Month with a beautifully designed page underneath that read, "Sharpen your nib and get creative - National Novel Writing Month."

The page (shown above) seemed to pop out at me so I browsed some of the many book titles on display. Two I ended up taking out, though one in particular jumped out at me: Writing for Children and Young Adults, a Self-Counsel Press writing series book by Dr. Marion Crook.

This book seemed to be a message to me as it reminded me of the 'career' card that I pulled from a small deck of 12 affirmation cards this morning. The cards were created by Anne Marie Evers, known as the 'affirmations lady.'

You may not believe in such things; however check the word 'synchronicity' as there were other indications through memory as well for me including an inspired story I wrote for young children.
Another, The True Secret of Writing: Connecting Life with Language written by Natalie Goldberg appealed to me as well as I had read her Writing Down the Bones book previously; it may have been a suggested reading during my expressive arts therapy program.

You can read a brief blurb about Natalie here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalie_Goldberg
or here at http://nataliegoldberg.com/.
November is apparently a heavy-duty writing month - must be the weather whoever originated that idea ;) - and is actually known as "National Novel Writing Month." It features a 30-day online writing challenge of a 50,000 word novel. NaNoWriMo (http://nanowrimo.org/) for short started 15 years ago! See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Novel_Writing_Month for details.

Now, I do not consider myself a novelist at all, albeit in about Grade 4, the idea of a story came to mind of a young girl and boy on an adventure. I think the girl's name was Susan, and the boy's name David, my favourite male name. Wow! Did I already know that back then?!

These characters, rather kids as they had no established character yet were pretty lifeless because I got as far as either one or two sentences to possibly a short paragraph at most.

And since then, now in fact, I think what happened? Why did I stop? Why did I not continue the journey, their journey to see where these two children would go? Where would their travels take them? What mischief would they get into, what troubles (problems) and surprises would await them?

Why hadn’t I continued to put pen to paper – no everyday computer back then! - instead of abandoning them?

Now, all I think I have left inside me, at present anyway, is at least one short story for young children that was inspired by a children's program that I ran a number of years ago.

Do you have at least one novel or book inside you? Would you consider participating in such a challenge: why or why not?

Written in response to Write Tribe Pro Blogger: November Challenges and Motivation (http://writetribe.com/challenges-and-motivation/) and is linked to NaBloPoMo and UltraBlogChallenge.

25 comments:

  1. I think you should translate this idea of Suasa and David into a tale Elly...I wanted to take part in NaNoWriMo but I have vague ideas not definite plot...But I do want to write something..I wish to !

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    1. Ah, too late for that tale Nabanita! ;) I have other books in mind, not a big novel...I don't think I'm a big novel writer. ;) <3

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  2. Oh, yes. I have many stories left inside me. Each one is longing to explode into the written word. You have a head start by starting to write when you were young. Go for it. In the end, your time on earth runs out. Be creative.

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    1. I think we all have stories, many stories inside us waiting to come out. It's just a matter of if that is our calling I think, though it needn't necessarily be so. Thanks for your kind and loving support Francene. :) <3

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  3. I have a lot of unfinished stories in notebooks still lying around the house. I used to take a large notebook on my travels and would write the stories as they came to me, but I'd always start a new one on a new journey. I've tried taking part in NaNo before, but never managed to keep going for various reasons. I prefer the freedom of writing when the muse strikes.

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    1. I hear you on that one Lexi. I prefer to write when my muse hits me; however, I know accomplished writers would beg to differ and say to write daily. I think whatever works for you! ;) <3

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  4. I think we all have a story to tell...we just have to get it out there. I have a few stories I suppose but I haven't yet taken up Nanowrimo...chicken, perhaps? Anyway, something to think about for next year I suppose...

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    1. Yes, we do indeed have stories to share, at least one Sanch. Whether it's our fate to share or not I suppose is up to us, right? When the time is right... ;) <3

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  5. Maybe you could write their story for november :) we would enjoy reading the tales.

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    1. Ah no! This was YEARS ago Rajlakshmi! I don't feel inclined to even start that story, though thanks! ;) <3

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  6. My first month-long challenge was the Nablopomo last year and it was what got me hooked on to blogging. Sad that I cannot do it this year, but the pain is a reminder that there are other things I need to focus on, for now. Good luck to you, dear Elly.

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    1. Oh wow! That's quite a start to blogging Shailaja! Did you actually write a novel...I would love to read it as I so enjoy your writing! :) <3

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  7. I have tons of stories and pieces of stories in notebooks and still in me that have not been penned yet. While I coach others to write, sometimes I need to sit myself down and take my own advice: a writer always writes.

    Anyway,...shall we see a novel from you by month's end? :)

    Whenever I taught writing to high school students, my motto was (and still is): Put Viagra in your ink; don't let your writing stink. Ha Ha! Teachers need creative ways to get students' attention, and that slogan was their favorite.

    Good luck in your endeavor, Elly!
    Blessings.
    Penny

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    1. Yes, it's interesting how we teach most what we need to learn Penny! A novel from moi? No, though thanks for asking. ;) Use whatever works eh! ;) Thanks Penny. :) <3

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  8. Not sure how many stories I have left in me. I have never aspired to be a novelist. I just write for the hell of it. :)

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    1. Kathy, you needn't have stories in order to write a novel. In fact, you needn't write a novel. But writing, unless technical, usually involves a story or stories...your blog for example has lots of stories. ;) Writing just for the sake of it is still a noble cause as it gives you and ultimately others pleasure in reading your work. :) <3

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  9. We all have stories to tell, don't we? :) And I think you should write and see what kind of adventure unfolds for Susan and David!

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    1. Yes, we do Aditi for sure! :) I have no desire to tell their tale, at least not anytime soon! ;) <3

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  10. I have heard of this novel writing month before. As alluring it sounds, I
    feel getting the perfect novel ready in 30 days isn't a good idea for me...
    my thoughts need time to brew :) I would love to see your story of David's
    adventure take form and complete :)

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    1. It needn't be perfect Asma as it's the first draft. However, the story of David is one I feel I do not wish to tell...that was then, this is now! ;) <3

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  12. I don't think you should stop. I think you have more than one story left. Just start putting down your thoughts, jot down your notes and see where it takes you

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    1. Carol, I only felt stopped by that one particular story written in about Grade 4. I definitely have at least one story perhaps more. In fact, I did have a thought today - oops! didn't write it down nor record it. If it is meant to be, it will come back. If not, oh well! ;) <3

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    2. You are really an inspiration, Elly. Writing a novel in one month is a gigantic task. Wish you all the best in your endeavour.

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    3. Ha! You are too funny Usha as I am not writing a novel this month! Hmmm...curious what I said that gave you that idea? I wonder if others thought the same! ;) <3

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