NaNo Re-run

Yes, it's that time of year again.  In a few short days, writers from around Australia and New Zealand - and indeed the world - will be clearing their desks and schedules to once again write 50,000 words on their current WIP.

It's Novel Writing month and it's not too late to join.

What is NaNo?

What is NaNoWriMo, you might ask? NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. NaNo (for short) is a global and voluntary program in which millions of writers band together on the interwebs and encourage each to write 50,000 words or more. Here's a fuller explanation.

Why do NaNo?

Here's what a number of past participants have to say:

" It motivates me and then as I push myself to bang out the necessary word count my creative brain blocks the picky editor brain and great words and ideas are released."   

Jo Wanmer

"Nanowrimo is a great incentive to begin or complete a project but we have to remember that Nano is made for us (like the Sabbath 😊) we are not made for Nano! Use it as a tool to focus your writing but don't feel miserable if life gets in the way and you can't finish." 

Sue Jeffrey

"NaNo provides a great motivation to get that first draft written. One of my polished NaNo stories ended up winning my category of ACFW's 'First Impressions' contest, which ultimately got me a US agent and my publishing contract, so you could say I'm a fan of NaNoWriMo!" 

Carolyn Miller

But is NaNo really any good?

Some people will warn you not to do NaNo for a variety of reasons. 

• Writing fast (and without plans) results in unholy mess.
• The pressure of a deadline is too stressful.
• I can only write when the muse calls.
• I'd rather be editing, writing poetry, a graphic novel or have a smaller word goal.
• You can't really write a novel in a month.

Yes, can be, hmmm, fair enough, yes - true.

Here's the thing. I think writers often misunderstand the goal of NaNoWriMo and maybe in part that is because of its name. NaNo is about first drafts - and first drafts by their nature are messy - that's why manuscripts usually go through several drafts.

So yes, when December 1st comes around, it's not time to upload the result into KDP, Smashwords or Draft2Digital. This is just the start of the journey, not the finish line. Still, having 50,000 words (or even 20,000 or 10,000 or 60,000) is probably more than you would have had and once you get into the flow, you may be surprised at the words, ideas, scenes and plot twists that emerge.

Benefits of NaNoWriMo:

• It helps discipline - by getting into the practice of writing daily, and writing even when the muse is being coquettish. Sometimes just sitting down and writing ignites creativity. (It may take a day or a few.)
• Writing fast encourages the internal editor to take a short break while your writing brain gets the words down on paper - and that is often a good thing.
• Having a messy draft is better than having no draft at all.
• Plan to prepare in October (plans, character profiles, etc) and edit in December (or maybe January/February)
• It's a wonderful feeling hitting 'validate' and knowing you've finished. Yippee, congrats, Winner!!! 
• And there is always the option of being a NaNo rebel (yes, that's allowed too.)

So if you haven't done NaNo before - maybe this could be your year.  

If you have done it before, why not give it another go? 

Think about it, pray, take a risk.

For more reasons to do NaNo check here.

How to prepare for NaNo.

• Decide on a project (though you can change this if you want to)
• Sign up  - here
• Plan - if you are a plotter work out your outlines, character profiles, setting etc
• If you are a panster do research, find inspiration or just relax
• Clear your schedule as much as possible
• Tell people you are doing NaNo
• Connect with NaNo Buddies online or the local meet-ups to be encouraged and inspired
• Believe in yourself, you can do it
• And remember, even if you write 10,000 words not 50,000 - you are still a winner.

To connect up with others doing NaNo - there are two Facebook groups you can join ACW-NaNoNauts  and S'mores, Snores and Word Scores

Looking forward to doing NaNo with you this year.  :)

For more information - ACW 2015 series on NaNoWriMo:

Part One: What is NaNoWriMo? 3rd August 2015

Part Two:Why do NaNo? (Pros and Cons)  7 September 2015 

Part Three: Preparing for NaNo   5 October 2015 

Part Four: Ready, Set, Go  2 November 2015

Part Five:  Is there life after NaNo?  30 November 2015

Image of Ant's To Dos courtesy of SweetCrisis at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image of Slippery Surface Sign by Jeanette O'Hagan c 2014

Jeanette O’Hagan first started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of nine. She enjoys writing fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. 

She is writing her Akrad’s Legacy Series—a Young Adult secondary world fantasy fiction with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements. Her short stories and poems are published in a number of anthologies including Glimpses of Light, Another Time Another Place and Like a Girl. She has recently published her short novella, Heart of the Mountain and a flash fiction 'Space Junk' in Genrellly Speaking anthology.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and, more recently, a Master’s in writing. She is a member of a number of writers groups. She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends and pondering the meaning of life.  Jeanette lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.


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From Pookie to Christy

Pookie Rabbit, Big Ears, Noddy and The Famous Five glimmer through my childhood memories, but Pookie was the most fascinating story. Belinda was cross with Pookie because she was spring cleaning. How interesting. Flying rabbits, rebellion and spring cleaning were all new concepts to me.  They fired my always active imagination to another level.

I loved to read as a child. It inspired me and kept one of my feet in an imaginary world. Unlike my book worm sister, my other foot was always on the ground. If I had to choose between reading, driving a tractor or riding a horse, the farm won every time. Reading was for rainy days or long nights, or for avoiding unwanted tasks. When I read a story, I wanted a good one!

At senior high school I was confronted with Macbeth and Wuthering Heights. I didn't relate. Reading lost its appeal. My English teacher was less than complimentary about my writing efforts. At this time my beloved Father died. Our property and home had to be sold. Life shattered around me. My grief manifested through poetry, so precious it was stored in an apple box of valued mementos. Otherwise writing became the necessary tool one used to complete assignments.

In my early years of marriage I discovered Janette Oke. Wagon trains and adventures in the Wild West reignited my love for stories. I started to search for other Christian novels but many failed to hold my interest.

Then I read Catherine Marshall's saga, Christy. Thereafter, every book was measured against that standard. Most fell short. I read every non-fiction she wrote, but longed for another novel to transport me to that place of the unexpected and the inspiring. I searched for stories that challenged my faith and my destiny, not just allowed me to escape.

It wasn't until we suffered great heartbreak as a family that I pushed past my English teacher’s negativity and started to write again. Poetry flowed as pain and confusion found expression on paper. I yelled at God through my pen. I blasted cowards that wouldn't face wickedness in our midst. I tried to express deep love, pain and passion. After five years of drama our family reached a point of breakthrough. God was proved to be faithful, though many times I had accused Him of the opposite.

After that, I had a story I wanted to tell, evil that needed to be exposed and miracles to be recorded. Jottings and verse were one thing, but now I wanted to write a book, a good book. All original attempts were feeble and boring. Maybe my English teacher was correct. I mustn’t be able to write. I gave up.

Some years later, on holiday, I immersed myself in Francine Rivers’ novels. I reread ‘Redeeming Love’. Inspired, I decided to write my story as a novel. It was a crazy idea but the story flowed when I wasn't tied to historical accuracy, when concepts could come through fictional conversations whilst keeping events true to my memory. Two years later ‘Though the Bud be Bruised’ was published as a Caleb winner.

To my delight, readers learnt from it while being captivated by the story. It brought healing and restoration to some.  Others faced the evil of child abuse and argued against my conclusions. Yet they were all challenged and I am content. Yes, the story is sad but the ending is full of the wonder and grace of God. The book is full of little miracles, little God-instances. I wanted the world to know that God is mighty and faithful...if a tad slow. I wanted my readers to be inspired.

So I continue my search for great books. I read a lot of well written stories with interesting plots and unexpected twists, but few reach the ‘Christy’ standard. I want books that grapple with faith and real life issues through a good story. I seek books that show our struggle with God, without a sudden, easy, unrealistic fix. I loved 'Suzannah's Gold' by Carol Preston. Based on a real life story its full of unusual twists and turns instead of following the expected line.

And I continue to write, though life has been challenging since my first book was published. I have written two more novels, but editing is slow. These stories meet my criteria for good books but will publishers and readers agree with me? 

What is your idea of a really great book?

Jo Wanmer’s greatest passion is to see people touched by the love of

God. Her life’s purpose is to inspire others to reach their destinies, to go further than they can ask, think or imagine. She is a pastor and preacher, a writer and an encourager. Her God and her family are her two greatest loves.

Following the success of Though the Bud be Bruised, Jo has written El Shaddai and In the Shadow of El Shaddai. She is still editing, sharpening the stories so they will be transported clearly into her reader’s imagination.