writing challenge – Courtney Hunt

Happy NaNoWriMo

November 4, 2015November 1, 2015 Courtney Hunt

So, it’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) time again. NaNoWriMo is celebrated during the month of November. The concept is simple. Write 50k in a single month, on a single novel. Write the words? You won!

Over the years, I’ve done Nano on and off. I think I tried seven times and won twice. The Lost Art of Second Chances started out as my 2011 NaNoWriMo novel and I’d still like to revive my 2013 one someday.

I’m not participating this year, for the second year in a row. I’m still recovering from surgery for a start and can only sit at my desk for about two hours before needing to lay down with a heating pad. Also, right now, I’m writing the Cupid’s Coffeeshop series. They are novellas, each about 15k (I think). Also, now that I’ve established a writing habit and writing routine, 50k in a month isn’t really a challenge for me any more. It’s more like an average month.

I do love Nano though. I love the energy, enthusiasm, and optimism inherent in such a crazy, windmill-tilting goal. Developing a writing habit takes time and practice and Nano helped me with that.

For writers still struggling to set a writing habit or newbies who want to see what this writing lark is all about, National Novel Writing Month is a fantastic and fun thing to do. I believe everyone should try it at least once.
I’m just going to sit this year out. But, until then kids, have fun storming the castle!

Lost Art of Second Chances, Nanowrimo, Welcoming the Muse, Writing, writing challenge

Storming the Castle

November 12, 2014 Courtney Hunt

I’m not doing National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo) this year and it’s such an odd experience for me. Usually, in November, I’m putting everything in my life on hold to hit that 50K word count.

This year, I’m not participating for a couple of reasons.

1) We’re going on a long awaited family vacation and I didn’t want to impact that. Plus, getting ready for said vacation takes up a lot of time. I now understand my father, also an entrepreneur, always complaining about the ramp down and ramp up time before vacation when we were kids.

2) It falls at the wrong time in my process. I’m more focused on editing than drafting right now. I’m editing Welcoming the Muse and The Lost Art of Second Chances. The drafting I’m doing now is on shorter fanfic pieces for the holidays so I wouldn’t hit (and wouldn’t want to hit) 50K on them.

3) Now that I write full-time, Nano is not a challenge. I wrote 68K in November in fiction and more than that in fanfic and blog posts. It’s just another day’s work.

That said, I do love Nano. I love the energy and optimism around it. Of course, by now, mid-way in week two, that’s faded to bitter hatred but that’s normal, that’s just drafting. Nanowrimo taught me a lot and I’m grateful. Next year, I’ll be saddling up with you all. But, until then, kids, have fun storming the castle! 🙂

Lost Art of Second Chances, Nanowrimo, Welcoming the Muse, Writing, writing challenge

Inspiration for the Nano-ers

November 1, 2014December 9, 2016 Courtney Hunt

Happy November 1st!

While most of the world is still in a sugar coma from trick-or-treating yesterday, Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) kicks off today. Get cracking my friends.

I am not officially participating in Nano this year for two reasons. We are going on a long awaited family vacation during Thanksgiving week so I’m spending most of the month prepping for that. And also, it just doesn’t fall at the right time during my writing process this year. I’m working on getting Welcoming the Muse and The Lost Art of Second Chances through final edits.

I routinely write more than 50K a month now (last month alone clocked in at about 68K) but, for me, the key to winning Nano is get a lead and keep it. So, rack up those words Wrimos.

And just for a little bit of extra inspiration for you, here’s Ze Frank’s invocation for beginnings (probably NSFW for language). May your FLLDI be strong and take off that tutu.

Becoming a Writer, Writing, writing challenge

Writing Challenges

October 15, 2014September 4, 2015 Courtney Hunt

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is one of the biggest writing challenges of the year. The concept behind Nano is to write 50K words in a month at a breathtaking pace to outrun the inner critic and editor. At 1,667 words per day, there’s no time for anything but the words. I’ve done Nano multiple times and won twice. It’s a wonderful, if exhausting, experience.

I’ll definitely sign up this year and be writing at least part of the month. We’re going on a long-awaited vacation during Thanksgiving week and I’m pretty sure that Fox and the Pilot would object to me typing through it. Also, it happens to fall at the editing rather than drafting point in my process this year so…we’ll see. If I get though The Lost Art of Second Chances, than maybe I’ll start something new.

While Nano is the biggest and probably the best known writing challenge, my favorite is the monthly one on Twitter at www.writingchallenge.org I’ve been using it to write Bella’s story in LASC.

The concept is simple. Write 500 words per day or edit for at least one hour a day and tweet your results using the monthly hashtag. This month is #octwritingchallenge. Because participants are supposed to check the hashtag and root their fellow members on, the community is supportive and fun. I also like that it addresses not just the drafting process but also the editing time needed to whip a manuscript into shape.

October marks my second month participating in the challenge. If you’re writing or editing your masterpiece, come on over and join us!