Writing in Public

Last year I participated in National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo. This occurs every November, and is free and open to all who want to take up the challenge (although donations are accepted¹ towards their non-profit youth and adult writing initiatives).




The point is to sit down and make yourself write 50,000 words. Any 50,000 words. They can be utter crap, or - well from my experience trying to write 50,000 words in 30 days results in utter crap. It would take a lot more time and effort to clean up the words, and make them shiny and presentable to the public. The goal, however, is to just get the words out. Don't think. Don't edit. Don't fret. Just hit the total in the time allotted, and feel the satisfaction of having a potential novel sitting on your computer.

I have a file which has the 50,000 words that I wrote in 2011. They are awful.² I had meant to clean the story up, put it somewhere people could read it, but life got in the way. So the file sits on my harddrive, and hasn't really been looked at since November 30, 2011.

I've been trying to think about ways of making this more interactive. To get people involved. To share the experience with my friends and complete strangers. This hasn't been an easy proposition. Asking someone, let alone the entire Internet, to commit to read 50,000 words in one month is almost as difficult as trying to write those words. Let's face it; popping in and out of a 50,000 word novel isn't a great deal of fun either.

I figured if I could find a way to write several somethings that people could choose to read (or not) as the month wore on and they had time available it might be a bit more interesting. I could have people's interest (or not), and make a better experience. No pressure to read the whole work, but the opportunity is there for anyone wishing to take up the challenge.

So here's my plan:

In November, I am going to write twenty-five stories of 2,000 words each - give or take.  At the very least, there will be enough stories of a decent length to make up 50,000 words. I believe that would fulfill the ideal, and offer some flexibility for all.

That is a lot of ideas for one person to think up, especially with the given time constraints. I have a general idea of a theme for the stories. This I will keep to myself, to keep a bit of mystery for NaNoWriMo³. But the twenty-five or so ideas... that's going to be a challenge.

To make it interactive, I'm going to ask for story ideas from anyone who is interested in tossing them out. I can't guarantee I will use all of them. I can guarantee I will read and consider them all. I will also guarantee that I will hit that 50,000 word mark.⁴

I will post all the stories right here for everyone to read.

How can you help? Leave ideas here, in the comments, between now and November 30. During the month of November, I will also be taking ideas on my Twitter account. If you know me in person you can send me a letter, talk to me at the water cooler, or take me out for coffee to explain how amazing your idea is.⁵

The countdown is on.

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¹ If at any point you would like to top up your 2012 tax deductions as well as help fund some great writing programs, you can visit The Office of Letters and Light website for more information on donations to the non-profit arm of NaNoWriMo.

²I have no delusions about one scene where the three main characters sit around for several pages drinking coffee and asking one another about what they think should be the next step in a murder investigation. One of those characters is a seasoned homicide detective.

³ And, honestly, to give myself some breathing room if it turns out I can't stay on the theme while trying to hit the writing limit. By the end of last November plot had gone well out the window as I focussed on hitting that 50,000 word mark.

⁴ Guaranteed, or your money back.

⁵ I will also accept dinner invitations and take bribes. Although these aren't strictly necessary, I feel I should leave the field open for any possibility.