Alternatives to NaNoWriMo

So you’ve thought about NaNoWriMo but are not sure it’s for you?

You are in good company.  Lots and LOTS of people want to do it, but are afraid they can’t make it happen.  Lots of others have tried but didn’t make it to the finish line.

Or maybe you wanted to do it this year, but feel like it's too late to start.

Or maybe you did start, but it's just not coming together.

Never fear; there are alternatives to NaNoWriMo.

Don’t believe me?  Just keep reading!

I have somehow stumbled upon a plethora of articles about such alternatives - three, five, six, or nine of them, in fact.  Take your pick!

Here are a few samples to whet your “alternatives appetite.”  

…

Should you do NaNo?

• by Ellie Betts

Ellie swings back and forth between pros and cons… concluding with:  You know what?  Why not?  She speaks of her own NaNo attempt - and admits that failing NaNoWriMo was one of the best things that ever happened to her as a writer.

…

3 Alternatives to NaNoWrimo

• written by Emily Wenstrom
• presented by Joe Bunting at The Write Practice

Emily shares 3 catchy ideas that might work better for you:

1. Round of words in 80 days
2. 52 week short story challenge - inspired by Ray Bradbury who famously stated: It’s not possible to write 52 bad stories in a row.
3. Continuous Creation Challenge

…

Five alternatives to NaNoWriMo

• by Carrie Rembrandt

Writers don’t have to be novelists.

There is writerly life beyond novel writing!

1. The Notebook Project: One notebook, cover to cover, in 30 days
2. National Blog Posting Month: 30 blogs, 30 days.  I’ve discovered there are all kinds of these challenges and have actually participated in 31 Amazing Days - 31 because it was for the month of October.
3. Academic Writing Month  - Set your own goals based on these rules.  
4. Digital Writing Month 
5. Become a NaNo rebel - Actually NaNoWriMo organizers have set up an official forum devoted to NaNo rebels - for those writing non-fiction.

…

6  Alternatives to NaNoWriMo

• Dot and Dash

Sure enough, here’s one with SIX alternatives - although a few of them overlap with the previous article.

… and finally…

9 Alternatives to NaNoWriMo

Again, several overlaps with the articles above including poetry, blogging, and literary journals. Lots of fun stuff!

...

So there you go.  Lots of really cool options for you to try if you think that NaNoWriMo is too much.  Maybe you can tweak one of these to make your very own best version.

Images courtesy of National Novel Writing Month.

Amazing Day #31: Much to learn

I probably should not have taken on this challenge this year.

I was already over-committed.

WHAT was I thinking?

I guess I thought it seemed like a good thing.

A noble thing even.

To challenge myself to look for the amazing.

And yes, it has been a most excellent exercise.

It has been good for me - to force myself to take notice.

To discipline myself to articulate the thoughts.

And I did it.

I succeeded.

I finished.

’Twas an accomplishment.

…

I guess I can admit that it was a good thing and still admit that it was probably not a wise choice.

Once again I’ve been reminded that I cannot do all the good things.

Duh.
I'm still learning - or at least I hope I am - because I still have much to learn.

Maybe some day I’ll get to the point where I recognize this kind of wisdom BEFORE I take on something else.  

Now THAT would be amazing.

Amazing Day #30: Awesome

I keep thinking of that word.
Awesome.

During this month of amazing days...
Of watching for the amazing...
The word "awesome" often comes to mind.
That which inspires awe.
Or expresses awe.

Some think we over-use this word.

That we use it flippantly.

I suppose that could be true, but it’s a good word.

An important word.

There are lots of things in this life that inspire awe.

That evoke appreciation and gratitude.

That cause us to stop and notice.

I do not take this thing or this word lightly, but I do wish to notice the awesome.

I choose to watch for it.  

Sometimes even to search for it.

I think it is a worthwhile quest.
…

There is also much in this life that is not good or great.

There is much that is wrong.

Oppression and injustice are rampant.

It is easy for me to focus on the bad or the downright awful.

Yes, I’ve written about that before because the struggle is real.

Pessimism comes quite naturally for me.  Perhaps for most of us.

Worry, frustration, fear, and even panic can settle over us too quickly.

...

So which will I look for?

As much as I can manage to do so, I will think on the good things.

The things that are noble and true and right.

The pure.

The lovely.

The admirable.

The excellent and praiseworthy.

I will think on such things.

Amazing Day #29: the world in my kitchen

Plans change.

A trip to an apple orchard was scheduled.

Weather forecast called for rain.

Alternate plan: homemade pizza.

Hubby offers to teach students how to make pizza.

Three students say they can come and later cancel.

Will there be enough people to make it worthwhile?

Word spreads. 

More people sign up.

Will the house be too crowded?

Who knows what will happen?

Pizza time comes and so do the students - one, two or five at a time. They barely fit in our kitchen - from at least five countries.

They watch and listen. The brave ones make their own pizza.

We eat pizza.

And salad.

And chocolate zucchini cake.

The pizza mess is cleared off the kitchen table to accommodate a world map jigsaw puzzle - and discussion about Hinduism, Judaism and Christianity.

Chess players draw the heirloom rocking chairs close as they concentrate on the chess board perched on my old piano stool between them. 

Meanwhile peals of laughter come from the studio where others play Uno.  I shake my head in amazement and delight to hear the lively discussions flowing between English and Mandarin.

I find myself marveling about this amazing privilege.

I am SO grateful that we can live in this house and can host the world in our kitchen.

Amazing Day #28: connections

'Twas another amazing day at the cafe.

I had been working and writing while enjoying the pleasant ambiance.

A newcomer landed at the table next to me.  We exchanged glances and niceties and each went back to work but later chatted again from time to time.  Turned out we had at least one thing in common - our interest in writing. That's always fun to meet another writer - or a wannabe writer.  

...

And then...

I was cleaning out my e-mail inbox and a new message popped up from Meetups - about a writers' group starting up nearby.  The description sounded like it would be right down my alley - a place where I could belong.  That's no small thing because there are all kinds of writing groups - with different purposes and different formats and different genres - most of them focusing on fiction writing which is not me. I've tried out a couple groups with varying degrees of satisfaction.  So it was a little amazing to learn of one that seemed like such a good fit.  AND the first meeting is happening next week within a mile of my house! Now that is really amazing - because most of the groups I've been finding are in another city - near or far.  But this one is RIGHT here!  I've been searching for a writing group with those two criteria: close to home and with a format that feels right for me.  

Also I was able to forward the information on to my new friend who had just left the cafe minutes earlier - and she joined the group as well.

...

And then... in walked my friend and neighbor that I hadn't seen for awhile.  So wonderful to reconnect and catch up a bit.  

Sometimes I remember our days on the road and how lonely it could get.  Maybe lonely isn't the right word.  Maybe unconnected says it better.  'Twas a good experience in so many ways, but I really missed a sense of community.  Therefore on days like this one, I am extremely grateful for the connections in my life.  Every now and then I hear myself exclaim: I love my life!!!  This might have been one of those times - and amazing connections are certainly one of the big reasons.

...

Yep, yep.  Just another amazing day at the cafe.

I LOVE this place!

Amazing Day #27: Spectacular waves

Now THESE are amazing!!!

Amazing Day #26: Did he really say that?!?

Most of my "amazing day" posts have been about positive things.  
Maybe noble or inspiring or wonderful.
But I guess amazing doesn't always have to be great and wonderful.
It might just make you wonder.

Today's choice is one of those.
Something that just kinda' made me shake my head.
I had to wonder if I had heard correctly.
And I had to chuckle.

Disclaimer - two disclaimers actually:
(Well, I don't know that they are REALLY disclaimers - but I'm not feeling writerly enough today to figure out what to call them.  At any rate, here are two tidbits of background information.)

First, I always wanted to say "overheard on an airplane" as if I am some world traveler who flies to exotic places all the time.

Secondly, I absolutely LOVE Facebook memories.  You know, those "on this day" posts where Facebook shows you your activity on this date through the years.  So, so fun.  Kind of amazing actually. So...  this morning, the following gem popped up in my Facebook memories - from two years ago.  Early that morning I had been on an airplane and had heard this line.

Overheard on an airplane:

Older gentleman excitedly explaining

about how he was able

to help deliver a baby in the Philippines.

"Cut the unbiblical cord

with my pocket knife "

Wait; what...? 
He seemed to think it was pretty amazing.

Amazing Day #25: Art

I love this.
I think it is wonderfully amazing.
Or amazingly wonderfully...

People matching art...

Amazing Day #24: Progress

Good day.
Productive day.

We've been wanting to tackle the basement for awhile.  There are so many projects we would like to get done down there, but it felt a little overwhelming.  Plus there are so many other projects awaiting our attention. 

But a rainy day allowed us to get started down there today.  And I think we made more progress than either of us expected to.  I think that's pretty amazing - considering the fact that usually I am not able to do as much as I had hoped.  So yah, I'll take that.

Amazing Day #23: Positivity - Part Three

While typing yesterday’s post, I was also thinking of another friend who is in the middle of one of those hard times.  Right now.  This very minute.

Scary. Sad.  Painful. Overwhelming. Frightening. I was hoping that my words would not make her feel worse. I certainly did not intend to imply that we must project a cheery image at such times. 

You see, she also works at being positive - even in the midst of hard stuff.  Bad stuff.  I’ve seen her in hard times before.  Really painful stuff.  Heart-breaking stuff.  And I’ve watched her look for good stuff in the midst of the bad news.  I’ve seen her grasp on to whatever she could find.  I’ve seen her choose to appreciate even the tiniest tidbit of positivity.  

AND I’ve watched her come through on the other side of some of those times with grace and compassion - and a passion to help other people. 

I think that’s pretty amazing.

...

I realize that other readers may also be in the middle of crisis or pain or loss.  It could be that yesterday’s “sermon” from me may have felt heavy to you because of your current vulnerability. 

May I just remind you of something?  

That sermon may not be for you.  

Don’t take it on; okay?

Don't try to be all perky and positive.

Maybe instead you need to be patient with yourself and just soak up whatever love and encouragement that you can find today.  

Maybe it’s your turn to be on the receiving end of someone else’s positivity.

May it come your way!

May you be blessed with at least a little bit of peace and calm and comfort as you sort through your next steps.

Amazing Day #22: Positivity - Part Two

Sometimes I "worry" about the things I post.

I worry that they may seem braggy. 

I worry that I might be making my life sound way more exciting than it is... 

But then isn't that what we all do on social media?!?

We're supposed to do that; right?

But I do want to be honest.

I do want to give an accurate picture.

After all, not everything is fine and dandy.

It's not all beauty and wonder.

I don't want to be always gushing about how AMAZING everything is.

There is loss.

There is sadness.

There is fear.

There is yuckiness.

There is hard stuff.  

All kinds of hard stuff.

I guess I could write about those.

But wait; I DO write about those some of the time.

I do my share of grumping and moaning and groaning.

And downright complaining.

I don't think I'm in denial - at least not most of the time.

I do take time to mourn my losses. 

I want to grieve with those who grieve.

I want to give others time to mourn their losses. 

I don't expect others to be happy all the time.

 

Yes, I will face the not-fun stuff and deal with it when I need to.

And yes, I will write about that stuff.

However I don't want them to be my focus.

...

Here's the thing.

It is easy for me to be negative.

To get stressed out.

To feel overwhelmed.

To be frightened.

To panic about worst case scenarios.

Yep, worrying comes quite naturally for me.

Irritability and grumpiness often seem to be my default settings.

It takes effort and intentionality for me to focus on the good stuff.

The first step in that process is to find it.  

To look for it.

To notice it.

Then I guess the second step is to celebrate it.

To appreciate it.

I discovered that I need to practice.

To start searching and noticing and celebrating.

One year I decided to celebrate Thanks-giving EVERY DAY during November rather than just on one day.  I decided to look for one thing that I was thankful for every day that month.  And then one year I decided to continue my Thanks-giving by setting aside every Thursday as a day to be thankful - for something.  

Then there was the year that I accepted the 31 Amazing Days challenge - seeing if I could find something amazing every day during the month of October and to write about it.  Or maybe I could make something amazing happen!  And here I am doing that challenge again this year.

These are things I choose to do in order to build a habit of gratitude.  

To be more positive.

To focus on the good stuff more than the bad - or at least more often than if I didn't try.

To lift my eyes from the bad news and look for good news.

...

In summary...
Some people are naturally positive.
Some work at being positive. 
Then again some people are naturally positive, but they also work at being positive.

Yes, positivity and negativity are often personality traits.  

But...  

I believe that there is something we can do about our natural tendencies.  

I think that we can build good habits.  

I think that we can practice noticing good stuff.  

I think that we can choose our focus - at least more often than we might realize

Will it be easy?  

Will we always succeed?  

Nope.  But we can keep practicing.

Keep searching for the good stuff.

Start noticing and celebrating.

...

Cultivate gratitude.

That's what I want to do.

That makes sense to this farm girl.

Amazing Day #21: Beauty

Riding our bikes on the river trail along the shore of Mott Lake

Hard to believe it is late October.

Lots of fishermen on small boats

Even the riverboat is out - the Genesee Belle!  That's fun.

Riding through the woods

Leaves covering the paved trail

Crunching under our tires

A canopy of glorious leaves still on the trees.

What’s that?  Sounds like a train.  

Sure enough; the Huckleberry Railroad - chugging along on the opposite shore.

What a day!

What a ride!

Exhilarating

Exhausting

Rewarding

Wonderful

Beautiful

Amazing


...

Photo cred:  Bob Sims

Read about other amazing days here.

Amazing Day #20: A "maze" day

October 20.

One month into autumn, but still summer-like weather.

Gotta' love it

And ya' gotta' love all the opportunities around this town.

All the beautiful places to see and all the fun stuff to do.

Like a great day at Applewood.

Our grandkids had been there before so they served as our tour guides as we wandered around the grounds.  They wanted to start "at the maze" which puzzled the staff who didn't know of a maze.  Grandpa figured out that they were talking about the flower gardens.  

Any of the three gardens could certainly seem like a maze to a little tyke.

Even Batman could get lost among all those flowers.

We didn't arrange for an inside tour of the house this time, but do look forward to doing that next time.  

We did find lots of flowers to sniff and to inspect!  And lots of statues and fountains to enjoy and explore. And lots of pictures to shoot!

Applewood Estate is a marvelous place.  

Marvelous and amazing.

But beware; you never know who might be hiding in the lovely Tea House!