Monday, June 01, 2009

Write a novel in a year

Every November a group of writers challenge themselves to write a novel in a month in NaNoWriMo. As a result, I've written three novellas and a short story that I wouldn't otherwise have produced. None of them is publishable but I learnt a lot in the process and had huge amounts of fun.

Now comes a more realistic challenge. Karl Green, who is one of the London Nanowrimoers, has set up a Facebook group to challenge authors to write a novel in year by writing just 250 words a day, yielding a 91,250 word novel if you don't take any days off.

The group 250 Words Per Day x 1 Year = A Novel is open to anyone and I have been asked to invite my friends. Please consider yourself duly invited.

Unlike the fearsome challenge of the Scottish marsupial, there will be no bloodied claws urging you on and you will be expected to write more than twice as much as the koala demands. I think that the challenge may be too much for me at the moment as I'm averaging around 250 words a week. On a good week.

It just seems like such a good idea that I wanted to share it with you.

11 COMMENTS:

Bevie said...

I'd give it a go except that these kinds of things tend to have the opposite effect on me. Guess I lack discipline.

So you'll get a 13,000-word short story. You'll say more in those 13,000-words than I would in 90,000.

Thanks for the challenge.

P.S. I gave it the "oh dear" because I'm sure I cannot make this one.

JaneyV said...

I am sorely tempted but, like Bevie, my lack of discipline is a major factor here. I'm a bit wooly-headed these days. I will probably have to work longer hours from September and I fear that writing will be sidelined altogether soon. I think this is a terrific challenge though and I wish everyone who takes it up all the best.

fairyhedgehog said...

It's no good if it doesn't work for you, is it Bevie?

Jane, I'm sorry you're going to be working longer hours, although I know you like your job. I hope you'll still be able to do some writing.

Ms Scarlet said...

It's a good idea. I'd like to have this kind of discipline for myself!
Sx

laughingwolf said...

good plan, mayhap next year?

still bogged down in other writings...

Karl S. Green said...

Many thanks for promoting this! I'm hoping it'll be a success...

Robin B. said...

I'm still checking in and out on the novel I've already written - so I have to pass, but this does sound like a wonderful idea!

Good luck with it!

PJD said...

We shall see. Currently I'm barely keeping pace with Aerin's 1,000 word a month challenge. I got to 1,097 words this month... and that turned out to be 100% due to poems.

For me the biggest problem is the "xxxx a day" part. I can't imagine having time to commit to any one thing every day in a year. Even feeding the children falls off the list some days. I think.

writtenwyrdd said...

I'm afraid of these things. :)

McKoala said...

Inspired! However, I should be editing not writing for the next six months or so. Although I know what I want to write next, I'm trying to suppress it while I try and make some sense of what I have!

And, honestly, is it really going to work without CLAWS?

fairyhedgehog said...

Scarlet-Blue, Laughing Wolf and Robin: so it's good but not for you then. I think I agree. (It's good but not for me.)

Karl: No problems! I do think it's a great idea.

pjd: Those poor children! I know what you mean though, about doing something every single day.

ww: I didn't think you were afraid of anything! Or am I confusing you with one of your characters?

McK: Straight to the point as always and you've found the one flaw.

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