Imitation is flattery or in this case fatter

The recognition of NANOWRIMO is moving from writer groups to the popular jargon where it's being imitated. Have you seen NaBloPieMo? That's new to me also so had to click for more info. This is a pie a day for the month of November as a feature on BlogHer.com.

This reminded me of the old saying, "imitation is the most sincere form of flattery." Apparently this quote is so often imitated (or claimed) I found several alleged sources from Ghandi to Charles Colton. Imitation is a downhill slide that's exhilarating at the top, not bad during the ride and dull at the end. Such is the cycle of imitation in genres or books. Frankly, I'm ready for the Vampire and Zombie craze to hit the bottom. To make the stories different, writers go far outside the "norm" (strange word for the un-dead) to have Zombies who talk and Vampires with a tender side. Yawn. Pie baking is more interesting so slide a pie in the oven and see how many words you can write while it bakes!

Look who is cheering on NANOWRIMO

What do Sue Grafton, Piers Anthony, Jonathon Stroud and Meg Cabot have in common? (P.S. the answer is NOT bestsellers). These successful authors sent encouraging messages to the NANOWRIMO community. They know how it feels to face a blank screen and an equally blank brain that all writers experience on the way to composing something wonderful.

If you are among the writing fanatics participating in NANOWRIMO, congratulations! Whether or not those 50,000 words are the launching pad for your literary career or simply the motivation to start writing regularly, this event is worthwhile for each writer on a personal level. Write on!!!

NANOWRIMO v. 10/10/10

Laura Miller goes against the grain to "just say NO" to NANOWRIMO. Blasphemy you say?  No, it's switch pitch for the 10/10/10 project. This ambitious goal keeps writers reading, not their own words but those of others. Good writers are avid readers so this make sense.

Not inclined to indulge in what she calls "self agrandizing frenzy of NANOWRIMO", Laura Miller supports the challenge launched by Kalen Landow and Melissa King to read 10 books in 10 categories between January 1 and October 1. For maximum effectiveness, read books outside your writing genre or your favorite genre. For me that would be 10 books on Zombies, Vampires, Romance and Westerns.

January is coming soon. Would you make the 10/10/10 commitment? Think about what you might read in different genres. That seems to require a trip to Barnes & Noble or Borders, don't you agree? A nice afternoon in the bookstore with coffee sounds ideal. But it will have to wait until I finish my day job.

NANOWRIMO in action

Huddled in the corner of Panera Bread frantic fingers flew, rushing to meet the day's word count. Who are these strange creatures tied by electrical cords and mice? They are writers pursuing the elusive novel in a month. Yes, these writers celebrate NANOWRIMO by cranking out 50,000 words in a month. Such is the essence of National November Writing Month when writers choose to experience extreme frustration and stupendous joy in  rapid cycling positively manic.

St Petersburg members of Florida Writers Association gathered to write, empathize and encourage. Take this great idea and run with it. Call a few dedicated writers and invite them to join you for an early afternoon NANORIMO session as local restaurant, coffee shop or bookstore with free wireless internet access. Gather in a back corner so that the key taping, laughter and occasional weird plot twist conversations will not scare the locals. If possible get a free public service mention in the local newspaper. You may find that this fledgling group decides to stay together and become a regular writers critique group. That could be a value-added benefit of NANOWRIMO.

Ode to creativity

What better way to start NANOWRIMO than with a new video from Errol! Not sure about his novel, but his videos are fantastic. If this does not inspire you to start writing your novel this month, then nothing will. I had to pause and share this with you. After the fifth time of watching and laughing, GET BUSY WRITING.

Get ready for NANOWRIMO

November is known for more than turkeys and parades. To writers this is NANOWRIMO or National Novel Writing Month. Sound complicated? Errol tells the whole story in this 3 minute summary . If that doesn't inspire you, nothing will. So start your outline, research and plot notes. You are 30 days away from turning your ideas into a 50,000 word book. Remember to give your idea the "write twist" to stand out from the pack and possibly be the prizer winner!