Camping Out

 I’m up past my bedtime.

Why? Some kind of April Fools’ joke on myself? No. I’m up until an hour that’s going to make it painful to get up for work in the morning because today (Monday, the day I’m writing this) is the first day of Camp NaNoWriMo.

Many of you may be familiar with NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month. Every November writers worldwide challenge themselves to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. From “Once upon a time” to “The end,” that works out to just under 1,700 words per day. A lofty goal. Lofty and intimidating.

The folks behind NaNoWriMo came up with a challenge meant to be less daunting—Camp NaNoWriMo. Camp happens twice a year, in April and July. Writing goals are flexible. A minimum of thirty somethings—words, pages, hours, whatever else you can quantify, your choice—and you’re in. Just like at summer camp, you can join a cabin, in this case a virtual one. Your cabin mates are your writing support group, a small group of campers you select yourself or trust to the magic of algorithms. There are also camp counselors, authors who give pep talks and advice and answer questions. Each camp counselor is responsible for putting together care packages, short snippets designed to inspire, for one week.

This year, I’m joining Camp NaNoWriMo as both a camper and a counselor. I’m sending out care packages this week, the first week of April. My first post, for April Fools’ Day, was on procrastination. Rather, how not to procrastinate. Which is funny because procrastination is my super power. I’m really, really good at it. Which is why I’m up past my bedtime.

But better late than not at all. I resisted the urge to say, “it’s too late” or “I’m too tired”. I wrote words. Words that start to tell a story. A story that I’ve set a goal of having half-finished by the end of Camp. I’m going to receive as well as send care packages. I’m going to be a part of this supportive, caring, loving writing community and challenge myself to power through.

 

Are you a procrastinator? Share your tips for breaking the habit.

Comments

[Mark]

I still haven’t written my review for Thursday yet. I don’t think I’m a good person to be asking about how not to procrastinate.

[Deb Romano]

Oh, gosh; I’m afraid I’m a procrastinator! Someone sent me a link the other day to The NY Times article about procrastination, and it’s given me a lot to think about.

(Right this minute I should be putting paperwork together to give to my accountant for my tax returns. Your blogpost is a whole more interesting!)

[Alexia]

Procrastinators unite! Eventually. After we take care of a few other things. We'll get around to it...

[Aimee Hix]

Similar to NaNoWriMo and Camp NaNo, I did a 100 words for 100 days challenge. That simple.

At least 100 words for 100 days. If you missed a day, you had to start back at day one.

It was a small enough word goal that it didn't feel daunting and I routinely wrote much more than 100 words but I had flexibility if I was sick.

And the losing and starting over aspect really nailed my feet to the floor.

That was the beginning of my first book, WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU. :)