National Novel Writing Month is about a week away; the time of year when thousands of people around the world agree to sit down daily, write 1600 words, towards a goal of 50,000 words by the end of the November.
I’ve attempted NaNoWriMo (much cooler abbreviation) three times in the past five years. The first time, Thanksgiving did me in. I didn’t finish. The second time, I finished on time, and turned the manuscript into my first published novel, Saving Peace. The third time, I didn’t hit 50,000 by December 1st, but I did by the 5th or so. The manuscript turned into my third published novel, The Dohmestics. This is my fourth time out at NaNo and I’m more excited than ever and ready to share.
Sign up to NaNoWriMo with me as your writing coach in the online learning environment known as a MOOC. Completely free! I will post weekly assignments, advice, examples to help us get to our goal of a completed first draft. You’ll also have access to a discussion forum where all other learners will be posting examples, asking questions, and commiserating in our race to 50,000 words. Even if you don’t ‘finish’ or ‘win’, NaNo is fantastic fun because we are all in it together. This is the second MOOC I’ve taught; the first one was a Personal Essay course that had 100 people sign up, 50 people make it to week one, and 20 or so complete an essay.
What have you got to lose?
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Reader Comments
Good luck! Haven’t attempted it ever…though I have weeks where I surprise myself by the pace of my writing.
That’s what really matters: getting the pen moving across the page!
Ok, I’ll give it a go! Challenge accepted.
Looking forward to it, Sandy!
OH ! The registration is now closed ..
Hi Loay: We kicked off yesterday but if you’re really keen and want to catch up, you could join. Fill out the contact form and send me your Gmail address (you will need a Google+ profile enabled as well to participate in the forum).
i would like to join to see what its all about…..
Dear Lucia: Send a request to join our Google+ community which we are using as a class forum: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116458184504942172122
i am interested to see what this is like to do
Can I join too? The list said it started on 3rd Nov.
Come on in Lynn. But be warned: after today, it’s going to be tough to catch up (says the woman down on her word count). https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116458184504942172122
I’d like to join too!
Sure Kip. Click the Google+ community link or search for the Come NaNo with this MO MOOC on Google+. You will need a gmail account and Google+ profile.
Hi,it’s the early hours of the 3rd and I have just found out about your course. I tried to sign up but its closed!!! The 3rd hasn’t really started here….can you help? Thanks. ps I trued NaNoWriMo last year and this would be e great help.
Come on in Lynn! https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116458184504942172122
I just saw the posting for this and it said it started today. I just went to the Google+ and requested to be in the forum.
You’re in Crystal. See you in the forum.
AHH! Just saw this class and would hate to miss out. Any chance there is still a “seat” left?
Join us Leslie! And don’t fall behind on your word count :). That’s my mantra for this year. https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/116458184504942172122
Hi Mohana, Do you have any plans to do a course like this in 2014?
Hi Adrian: I’m not sure yet but I have had several inquiries that make me curious about starting it up again. Depends on how the start of the semester goes. Sign up for the newsletter (link in the side bar) and you’ll get a note in October if we do the NaNo MOOC again. Thanks for stopping by and for your interest.
Hello. How can I enroll and when is a next class? Maybe you could also recommend other on-line classes please? Thank you
Hello there: You can sign up via this link.
Coursea and EdX are other great online course repositories. Hope to see you online for NaNoWriMo which starts on Saturday!
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