National Novel Writing Month (NaNo)

It is November and it is that time again to for the annual NaNo Write!

Permission to forward from Latinadad
Helping Latino writers get published,
Marcela Landres
marcelalandres@yahoo.com
http://www.marcelalandres.com/

Saludos
The very idea behind NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)—namely,
writing an entire novel in 30 days—may seem wacky. But wackiness is
exactly what some writers need to finally get their novels out of their
heads and onto paper. Not convinced? Consider this: Kathy Cano Murillo
wrote the first draft of her novel "Love Shine" as a NaNoWriMo participant
and landed a two book deal with Grand Central Publishing. (You might
recall I interviewed Kathy in the February 2006 issue of Latinidad.) If
you're tired of talking about your novel and want to actually write it,
read on.


Recommendation
Don't be fooled by the facetious title—"No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress,
High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days" is a seriously smart
writing guide. Author Chris Baty, founder of National Novel Writing Month,
stuffs the slim volume with solid advice, notably his concept of "exuberant
imperfection." For the skeptics out there who think it isn't possible to write
a good novel in a month—you're right. The objective of NaNoWriMo isn't to
create a great novel or even a decent one but to simply push out the first
draft. Lani Diane Rich, a NaNoWriMo participant who, like Kathy Cano
Murillo, got a two book deal with a major publisher, says it best: "Crap you
can edit. A blank page will never be anything but."

Baty includes a helpful chart to keep track of your daily word count,
pointers on how to manage friends, family, and work during a month of
unapologetic neglect, and tried and true tips such as "stockpile chocolate
in all its mouth-watering forms." "No Plot? No Problem!" is intended to
accompany those who plunge headfirst into NaNoWriMo which starts
November 1st. If the idea appeals but this November is too soon for you,
use the book for support and inspiration during a month of your choosing.
Alternatively, if you're raring to participate in NaNoWriMo and don't have
time to read the book, everything you need to get going is on their web
site: http://www.nanowrimo.org/.