Nanowrimo Wraps Up

November 29, 2010

On Monday (Nov. 29), the Lee’s Summit Branch wrapped up its first Nanowrimo group. Yep, a total of 7 brave souls embarked on a frenzied 30-day journey that for some of us ended with a completed novel, 50,000 words total. It can be done! I’ve seen it happen!

Unfortunately, I have to admit that my novel never really got off of the ground. 11,000 words in, I got stuck with characters that had no depth at all. Just between us, I had an eerie hankering to kill them all off. I guess there’s always next year.

The Nanowrimo experience taught me a lot, though. I've listed a few pearls of wisdom here:

• First, coffee is the great equalizer of men (and women).
• Second, plowing ahead means things may not always make sense, but editorial work is for the rewrite. Getting things on the page is what matters most.
• Third, perseverance pays off (BIG TIME).
• Lastly, one can survive on only a few hours sleep. (Note the use of a hypothetical "one," as in "one other than myself.")

Hope to see everyone again next year. I'm always game to try again in 2011.

Beth A.
Lee's Summit Branch