November 1st signals the kickoff of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) or NaNo for short. Once more, authors and wannabes sign up, pledging to write 50,000 words. I succumbed to temptation, selected a story idea, wrote an outline, and committed to completing 1,667 words every day. Then I changed my mind. Not on competing, but on how to win.
I discovered Reverse NaNo. This format front-loads the word count, taking advantage of the excitement that accompanies the start of any new project. Day One requires a word count of 3,346 with falling requirements on successive days. By November 15, the halfway point, I have fewer than the prescribed daily minimum to add. On the final day, I need a single word to reach the goal.
I am very excited about this approach and eager to try it. I am looking forward to this because, in previous years, life drama intervened, with random days where I couldn’t complete the target. Making up a missed day was difficult. With successive fewer words, staying even does not feel as daunting. I’m planning a good night’s sleep before I am off to the races.
Are you taking part in NaNo?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Jo Hawk 
I have always wanted to do this, just not sure I can follow the rules 🙂
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I hate following the rules. Give it a try. You can modify the it to fit your needs. The encouragement is a wonderful boost to your writing goals. 🙂👍🖋
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Thank you for the encouragement. I have tried to force myself to sign up many times but after reading all the rules and having to upload my word count every day, it sounded more like a chore than a fun thing to do to work on my book. So, thank you again………
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There is no requirement to upload your word count every day. You may elect to upload your words at the end (a one time deal) if you want to validate your “winning” status.
That being said, please don’t force yourself to do anything that feels like a burden. It is supposed to be fun.
I hope you can find the spirit of NaNo and challenge yourself to write a little more this month. Whatever you decide to do, it is the right thing. 🙂👍
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You talked me into it JoHawk! 🙂 Thank you so very much……….now do I go to the “main” website to signup?
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Congratulations!
Try https://www.nanowrimo.org/
Let me know your user name and I will add you as a buddy. 👍
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Ok, I signed up! I am CharlieLee 🙂 I have no idea what to do once I was in the website but at least I am signed up. Thank you so very much for the encouragement! I deeply appreciate it.
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Sent you an invite. You can set up a project and note it as NaNo2019. Don’t worry too much about that, think about writing something fun. I’m looking forward to a great month 👍
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thank you I will see if I can figure out where to find your invite! 🙂 Thank you again 🙂
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Go for it!
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Thanks. I am excited to get started. ☕🖋☕🖋
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Interesting method. I wish you luck, I just saw this on Twitter, how on earth will people manage?
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I have done it twice now. Where there is a will there is a way. A good supply of coffee helps. 🙂☕
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I just couldn’t do it, work and kids, cooking and wife, dog walks and shopping. I’d be a wreck!!
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It is a commitment,.but I have been in training. We will see how it goes.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thank you for the reblog. Happy November. 🍁🍂🍃
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Oh… I completely forgot about this. Now we are on Day 3. I don’t see the rules on the site, maybe I am not finding them. Can I sign up for my own writing, but not upload anything? Would mainly sign up to push myself daily and be a buddy. What do you think?
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I think that is a brilliant idea. Modify NaNo to fit your needs. I am a fan of pushing toward your goals. Even if that means baby steps Go for it. You may not write 50k words, but I bet you will write more than last month.
They revamped the website and I can’t find anything. 🙂
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Ok, I signed up. I am “BrilliantV” if you want to be buddies. 🙂
About how many words a day do you need to do?
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I sent you an Invite. To reach 50k in 30 days you need 1,667 words per day. If you haven’t written anything yet your daily total increases to 1,852. 😀
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Ok… I am on it! Thanks, NaNo Buddy!
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😊👍
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