I’ve made the pledge again this year to join NaNoWriMo, one of the most exciting literary event on the Interwebs. Just in case you haven’t heard about it before, it is an event held every year in November (now is their eleventh year) where a huge bunch of crazy writers tried to scram 50.000 words out of their system into their novel. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either (some people even finished at 100.000 words *gasp*). And of course, nobody would expect your novel to be brilliant in the end of the month either .

For me, NaNoWriMo is a great for two things. First, it is an opportunity to get rid of my inner editor, the sometimes too perfectionist inner me who always tried to criticize what I write. In November, she’s definitely going on a vacation! Second, you get to meet fellow writers, or at least people crazy enough to embark on this adventure with you. This is very helpful to know that you’re not alone and there are people who would be more than happy to support and help you. I met some new wonderful friends through NaNoWriMo and we became support groups for each other .

Now I’m still looking for an idea of what to write this year. I thought of finishing my novel but this might backfire because then I would care too much about the story and the characters (and believe me it might not be the best idea when you’re trying to write 2000 words a day and you have a day job). I wanted this one to be a novella, something only about 50-60.000 words so I can finish the story in one month. I’m currently reading novellas (The Reader – Bernhard Schlink, The Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde) to get some inspiration. If you come across other novella I should read, please let me know in the comments. Thank you!

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50.000 words in one month. It’s my second time, the first time is in 2006. I’m quite proud of myself because this month I also wrapped up my study with my final colloquium. Two big things achieved in November. Not bad

One thing I learned from my years of NaNoWriMo is just never give up. Refuse to give up. I’ve had obstacles too this month, I had to prepare my thesis presentation, which takes me the whole week (preparing, presenting, unwind from the stress of presenting). And then comes the usual devil of procrastination (this year’s suspects: facebook and plurk).

But I’m lucky, I’ve got advantages as well. I’m healthy, I don’t have any other obligations (pledging myself to be a full time author), and I have great support from my husband, my friends, especially fellow NaNoWriMo authors (yes I’m talking about you, wolfie, duckie, mike, miyu) whom I shared lots of word wars with.

In the end, I still have to write half of it in the final week. Here’s my progress graph:

Lots of reds and just a little green. Red means I didn’t get my target word count for the day but those bright greens means I did exceedingly well (I wrote 7000 words on Friday).

So, yeah, I did it! And now comes the more grueling task of finishing the novel and editing it. Bring it on!!!

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I must admit it is not as hard as I thought… Although I can’t keep up with the target of 2000 words a day, but almost 1500 isn’t that bad, considering I didn’t have so much experience before.

My story will be about a notebook and a girl. No plot information here… not just because I did not want to share it to everyone… but also because I haven’t been able to plan the whole thing… Aja aja fighting!!!

Till tomorrow…

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For one month in November 2006 I will write a 175 pages (50.000 words) novel. Damn excited and scared… Excited because I have the chance and the deadline to do it… But also scared because I have tons of things to do in November. Flying home to Indonesia, my brother-in-law’s wedding… but what’s success without challenges, right?

So… here goes!!!

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