NaNoWriMo? StoryStorm?
NaNoWriMo, StoryStorm, 12x12, ReForReMo, etcetera.
All worthwhile contests and events. Do you participate in any?
NaNoWriMo is one I’ve ‘entered’ many times, but never completed. Most of the time, I set a goal of poems, and picture book manuscripts, and, in the distant past, getting in 50,000 words for fantasy novels. I once hit 35,000 words, but that’s as close as I’ve gotten to 50K. I never hit my goals for poems AND PB manuscripts, but have hit for one or the other. I’ve had word goals for early chapter books, and for middle grade fantasy books, but never came close to reaching them. For me, getting in those high numbers are not a goal I want to really do. It leaves me feeling like I’m just practicing writing, rather than going for quality. Yes, I do practice writing, often, but doing this much in one month is not for me (anymore!).
StoryStorm, formally called PiBoIdMo, is about creating thirty (PB) ideas in a month. This, I love. I’ve gotten so much joy out of reading different authors posts for how they get ideas, to perusing art work on line for inspiration, as well as doing a favorite ast time of mine- people watching. I’ve hit over thirty ideas each time, and will do this event year after year. Most of the ideas I get are for PBs, though I’ve also gotten ideas for CBs, MG, and YA.
12x12 is Julie Hedlund’s 12x12 Picture Book Challenge. I did 12x12 for five years, but did not join last year. I may this year, but I’m not sure. The goal is to write twelve picture book manuscripts in twelve months. I’ve ‘won’ 12x12 four out of five years I was in it. There are two levels of 12x12, with Gold being the highest. A bonus of being a Gold level member, over the Silver level, is being able to submit to one of two featured agents each month, and having your PB being placed at the top of the slush pile. A draw back is that I usually only get an actual rejection from about 60% of whomever I submit to. I also have not submitted each month as both agents may not be for me when I research them. It happens! 12x12 is also a cost for each of the levels, so that’s another consideration. I didn’t join last year as I was saving money for a week long writing conference during the summer, and I may go there again. A plus of being a member is the AMAZING level of support you get from other writers as ALL levels from beginner to already published.
ReForReMo is Reading For Research Month. I signed up once, but I never completed it. The idea is to read a book each day that can serve as a mentor text to help you with your own writing. There are daily posts all month long during the heat of the event, and weekly posts throughout the year. It’s another great opportunity to help you learn to delve deeper into the craft of writing.
Did I miss any? Let me know!
What’s your favorite? Let us know!