During the last month I entered a literary movement called NaNoWriMo.
This movement consists in challenging you to write a novel with 50,000 words during the month of November. It can be in any genre you wish, so you can easily select a theme that you feel comfortable with.
Much to my own fault and some sickness on the way I failed to accomplish the goal and ended only with 37,700 words.
However it was really important for me to have this experience, the challenge, the way the organisation keeps sending you pep-talks and helping you to thrive and not to lose hope that you will be able to accomplish that word count is really important. They focus on keeping you motivated and that by the simple fact that you tried, succeeding or not, you are already a winner.
I did it to prove myself that I could do it and although I didn't, it allowed me to learn and recognise my faults as a writer. It showed me what I need to improve, mainly it showed me that I would have reached that word count easily if I had sat in front of my laptop everyday during November...
NaNoWriMo is a program from The Office of Letters and Light, they are a non-profit organization that besides the one I entered also organises The Young Writers program (also in November) and Script Frenzy (April).
I find it amazing that these type of initiatives exist and bet on stimulating creativity on people.
The below is taken from their website, so that you can get a good grasp at what they are aiming.
I have added a couple of related links below where you can find more information about their programs.
I know I am participating again in 2012, are you? And next time I will be a "real" winner too!
"We believe in ambitious acts of the imagination.
The Office of Letters and Light organizes events where children and adults find the inspiration, encouragement, and structure they need to achieve their creative potential. Our programs are web-enabled challenges with vibrant real-world components, designed to foster self-expression while building community on local and global levels."
http://www.lettersandlight.org
http://www.nanowrimo.org
http://ywp.nanowrimo.org
http://www.scriptfrenzy.org
Sofia
