It’s been a while since I posted a blog, the reason for this is I have been taking part in this years NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which is write a novel of no less that 50,000 words in 30 days, starting on the 1st November and ending tomorrow (30th November).
I have been threatening to write a novel for a number of years now but have either got bored, lost interest in the plot and/or characters, needless to say I have never got past 5, 000 or 6,000 words before so, when I saw a news item about NaNoWriMo I thought this is the way to do it, my thinking is if I sign up and tell all my friends and family that I’m doing it then I will be forced to complete, and folks that’s exactly what’s happened, on the 25th November 2011 I completed my first novel, I have the winner avatar to prove it,
NaNoWriMo Winner !
and a winners certificate, the most surprising thing for me was I completed 53,487 words 5 days early. I’m currently editing the book and will more than likely be adding more to it to expand the plot, and characters in it, but I’m also going to try and self publish it as well, hopefully in the new year.
I won’t lie to you that it’s been easy, it hasn’t but, what I will say is, it’s surprising to see what can be done when you put your mind to it and also the inspiration that you can get, whilst writing this one I have came up with a sequel, (probably be next years NaNo entry) plus two more ideas that I will be working on, the creativity level has rocketed since I took on this competition at the start of the month.
Basically what I saying is don’t put something off because you haven’t managed to complete it in the past, or you don’t think you can do it, because I really do believe that there is a novel in every one of us, I’m living proof, oh and while I’m at it, I don’t think I will be winning any Booker prizes just yet, and have no illusions that my novel is any good, and although I’m looking to self publish, I will be very surprised if anyone buys it, I didn’t undertake this to make money, just to see if I could, now, if I do make anything out of my writing, I won’t be complaining.
So for anyone who reads this, if you have aspirations to write, have a go next year you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve.
‘Till the next time……
Anarchy, Peace, Freedom, Equality
Alan Louttit 