Week 4: Camp NaNoWriMo – Not The End

Joynell Schultz, ,

When I first heard of November’s NaNoWriMo, I thought it was an insane idea. How can anyone write 50,000 words in one month? Anyone that does it must not have a family or a full time job, right?

Well, now, I’m realizing that it is possible. During July’s camp, my goal was 25K in the month and I surpassed it, reaching 42K. (I started my novel the last week of June, because I couldn’t wait, and I’m currently at 50K.)  I think if I wasn’t editing my other novel and reading a few manuscripts for others, I could have easily hit 50K this month. And, that’s with a 40+ hour per week job, a husband and two children at home (though, I probably didn’t really cook or clean this month – which I’m not complaining about), and a few little family weekend trips squeezed in.

I only have 6-7 chapters to go and I’ll have completed TWO novels in 2016 so far. With November’s NaNoWriMo, that’ll be THREE novels. And to think that when I started this blog I swore I’d never try to write another novel again!

Well, August’s goal is to figure out what to do next. What do you do with a finished novel? Is it ever really finished?  Stay tuned for my step-by-step saga. That whole process seems quite overwhelming.

So November, here I come! I’ll get to 50K, I’m sure of it. Now, I just need a new novel idea and I can begin outlining.

What I learned this July:  with a good outline, the writing part is easy.  Coming up with the story is the difficult part.

How did July’s Camp NaNoWriMo go for you? Did you reach your goals? (I hope so!)

22 Comments

  1. I thought NaNoWriMo was insane the first time I’d heard of it too! Thankfully, I started with Camp too, so I was able to set a lower goal and then work up toward 50K for my first real NaNo.

    I didn’t reach my goal this month, but I’m okay with that. Camp is very chill and I don’t ever feel like I really have to meet my goals. I’m going to finish up my goal this month.

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    1. So, you’ve met the 50K in November? That’s such a huge accomplishment!

      I love that camp in easy going as well. I didn’t meet my goal in April, so I was determined to do it in July.

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  2. The first time I came across it I had no idea what it was. Then I started reading how much pressure some people put themselves under to write 50k words, and I’d be rolling my eyes out in amazement. I can’t comment on that experience because I’ve never done it. I just don’t know that I have it in me and then it’s like; what do I write about? One day, maybe?

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    1. Yeah, 50K in a month is insane… Especially with Thanksgiving thrown in. There’s also something on writing 80K in 80 days… which is more manageable (website here: https://aroundofwordsin80days.wordpress.com/ ) We’ll see how November goes, otherwise this one is probably more my speed… But I could never write 80K in my first draft – I’m more of a skeleton writer, fleshing things out with each revision.

      Thanks for stopping by and the comment!

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    1. I really think you have the right idea here. A much needed break before jumping back into your story and characters. I’ve put my first book on hold for a little, and how can’t believe some of the things I had the characters doing! Definitely time for a revision!

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  6. Congratulations! Way to work incredibly hard in July 🙂 I didn’t reach my Camp NaNo goal, but I was so close! I’m using that momentum to keep revising my current work in progress in August. I feel like my manuscript is so close to be ready to query.

    I’m excited to keep following your writing journey!

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    1. As long as you keep moving forward, the goal doesn’t matter, right? I even lowered my goal for April’s camp and I still didn’t make it.

      Ohhh, querying a manuscript. I’d love to know how that goes. I’m hoping to get there soon too!

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    1. Good question! Not stupid at all. I didn’t know either until recently. It’s super easy and they’ll send you emails telling you when to do whatever tasks you should be doing. (Plus it’s all free!). Here’s the link: http://nanowrimo.org/ . Great suggestion on a short blot post. I’ll do that when the time gets a little closer.

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        1. November is the BIG one… 50,000 words in the month. April and July are “Camps” where you get to pick your project (does not need to be a novel, I had a few cabin mates writing poetry) and you pick your word count. It’s much more laid back, I’m told. The 50K in November is a huge commitment, but if you don’t make it, no worries.

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          2. Yeah, I’m trying my hardest to wrap up my two current novels before that, otherwise I’ll put them on hold. I really want to try it. I think the timing doesn’t work for a lot of people–especially those with real deadlines.

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          3. Unfortunately I am under contract for four novels and so with the timing, I just don’t know if I’ll be able to stop for a one month project….. I will certainly make an effort to be able to do it.

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