This week, I signed up for Camp NaNo.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, Camp NaNo is an offshoot of NaNoWriMo, the (inter)National Novel Writing Month, which kicks off each November. The idea is that you write a novel in thirty days, with the target being 50,000 words.
Camp NaNo is much the same, only it’s in June and/or August. Again, they want you to write a novel from scratch during whichever month you choose to take part. As for me, well while I’m going to try my hardest to hit the 50K in June, I’ll be bending the rules somewhat. Instead of starting from scratch, I’ll be aiming to get 50,000 words written of my WIP. Currently my word count sits at about 62,000, so that will get me up above 110K, but then again with editing and the like I’m sure to drop that back to the 85K I’m aiming for for the final draft.
So, why am I doing it? The main reason is that my maternity leave is quickly running out, and my self-imposed deadline to get this story finished is when I go back to work at the start of August. I’m up for anything that will give me a boost in doing this (like the chapter-writing competition I spoke about the other week) so, when another writing buddy asked me if I was doing Camp NaNo, I said yes. I hadn’t even thought about it up to that point, but like I said, I might as well give it a go. I’ve had luck with NaNo in the two years I’ve done it, in that I’ve reached the 50K mark each time, so if I can get motivated each November to do that, then why not June?
NaNo works for me because there’s something really motivating about putting your word count in each day and seeing whether you’re on track or not, and I really strive to get above the red line and stay there. It’s the tracking process that I like. However, I’m aware that this doesn’t necessarily work for everyone so, on the off chance that I don’t get my word count up over June (and therefore get the novel so much closer to being finished), I’m asking what you do.
If you want to get inspired to do a lot of writing in a short time, how do you do it? Do you rely on external factors like I do (NaNo, writing contests with other writers), or are you able to find something from within? And how successful are you? I’d really love to know. 
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Oooh, I’ve never heard of this! I need some serious motivation, but right now I’m on a break (which in itself has been highly motivating). I have six kids (ages 2-13) and they’re homeschooled, so any hope of a routine will have to wait until they get older. ARGH!
You’ve not heard of NaNo? I admit I was well into my writing before I did, and it was within a writing community that it first cropped up. I love it, though.They set you a target of 1667 words per day and you can track yourself, compare your count with that of another person or the average for your town, that sort of thing. I find it hugely motivating.
Having said that, I struggle to find time for writing and I have far fewer children than you and don’t home school. I’m amazed you manage to achieve anything at all! Seriously, you deserve a medal for achieving what you have already.
I love NaNoWriMo. I find it really motivating. Have fun at summer camp! I may join up, but for August. I have too many projects going on in June.
It’s great, isn’t it? I of course have the opposite problem, what with going back to work in August and all. And it’s not summer camp for me – I’ll be huddled up in front of a campfire trying to get warm throughout the southern winter!
Deadlines always help a writer get the work done. It’s just too easy to get distracted. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m capable of watching paint dry. There’s just too many shiny, pretty things in the world to prevent me from sitting in a room all by myself and writing. You were smart to sign up for camp. Stay away from the poison oak though.
Yes, I could probably watch paint dry too. My problem is more about limited computer time, though, as I try to balance writing with real life. Not that I’m home schooling 6 kids, though, so I guess I shouldn’t complain. ; p I agree, though, that deadlines are a good way to motivate you. It’s best (at least for me) though if they are set by someone else, as self-imposed ones can more easily be extended, I find. Hence, NaNo
If you can find a way to balance motherhood and writing you should market it – you’ll make a zillion bucks. I still remember breastfeeding both of my kids and mentally working on scenes for a script I had to write. I have never since been more exhausted in my life. But I smile now remembering it.
Oh wow, thanks for the mention!
Yeah, I’m REALLY looking forward to it, too!! This is JUST what I needed to fight off the summer blues!! ^___^
You’re most welcome! I’m always keen to share the blog love
Hm…I think competitions like NaNo must inspire me more than I realize! During NaNo 2011, I wrote in a fury of activity! There were only a couple of days where I didn’t reach the 1500 wc mark, but I made those up like my pants were on fire!
But after that, Christmas came and….yeah. Since then, it’s been hard for me to really sit down and do the same thing. x_x;;;; Even with getting Scrivener half-price after winning! (Seriously, I wish I had had Scrivener about ten years ago!! Such an amazing piece of software!)
I’m relying on Camp NaNo to get my writing juices fired up again!
I’ve used NaNo for that very purpose before – getting myself back into that writing groove. Last year I wrote next to nothing between the baby’s arrival in March and November, but during NaNo I fell back in love with my story and made the 50K with time to spare. That counter is a really good way to stay motivated, isn’t it?
Good luck on camp, and I hope you get your groove back too
I’m a mommy of a troop and time for me is sparingly. As for deadlines, I have longer ones than short. HAve to:0) Continuous wiriting for me is easy, I just get lost into the story. I try to work on my WIP 3x a week and blog randomly :0) The NaNo, I heard about that a while ago , the summer camp is news,I’m contemplating… :0)
I hear you, truly I do. I work best with two types of deadlines – distant ones (ie, I will get my novel finished before I go back to work in August), but also shorter ones, to keep me on track to reach my distant one. The resolution to work on the story three times a week sounds very reasonable to me, though, and if you can keep that up then I dare say you’re achieving a lot. As for Camp NaNo, well, if you do decide to take part, best of luck! I’m looking forward to it.
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