I keep talking about National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo), but haven’t mentioned that November is also National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.) I enjoy NaNoWriMo, and have even made the 50,000 word mark a couple of times, but have yet to go back and make anything marketable out of that pile of words.
Even so,I am at it again. To me, it’s fun exercise. Y’know, runners like to run, so they have marathons. Writers like to write, so they do NaBlo/NaNo stuff.
Are any of you doing both NaBlo and NaNo this year?
I found a humorous article describing how to write like Nicholas Sparks via a link on A2eatWrite’s blog. I understand how authors can use things such as the Hero’s Journey as a framework for their stories, but isn’t it interesting how formulaic Mr. Sparks is? Do you think it’s intentional on his part? I ask, because the quotes in the article make it sound like he is unaware of this. Make sure you scroll to the bottom of the article if you check this out, there are some hilarious parody book covers.
As for today’s picture, I’m not really sure what to say other than I still have much to learn about Texan culture…
Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
You are doing both? Wow. Impressive. I tried NaNowriMo one year and made it to the halfway point but couldn’t keep up. I have done Nablopomo the last few years, four now? five maybe? It is nice to carve out a bit of time to write each day doing that, but at the same time hard not to feel a bit like “enough about me, what do you think of me?”
You do a wonderful job with making it personal and bringing the focus out wider.
Jyllian: I intend to keep the NaBloPoMo momentum going this year. It’s my 4th year, and I have gotten a lot out of it every single time. I get a kick out of your blog and am glad you have kept it going. :) ~Tui
NaBlo is tough enough, I don’t think I could ever survive NaNo. I’ve had to write a few research theses in my time, and I think those experiences exhausted a large chunk of my lifetime wordcount.
H Lydia, Yeah, writing a bunch is not everyone’s idea of fun! I’m enjoying your NaBlo posts, speaking of! Very cute cat you have. :) ~Tui
I have definitely thought about NaNoWriMo, but have yet to try it. Maybe next year. My idea is that by then most of this stuff on the house will be done and/or I will be living in a place that doesn’t need all this stuff done. I have no idea who Nicholas Sparks is. Is that bad? Formulaic writing? Is that somewhat like formulaic painting? I dislike most formula painting. (Think Bob Ross. Although he was a personable enough man…formula painting is just not for me.) When I am done with this comment I will click your link and see who Mr. Sparks is.
Hi Sheila,
Yeah, I’d say formulaic writing is on par with formulaic paintings. Bob Ross was endearing: “happy little clouds,” and all!
I bet you recognized some of Mr Sparks titles when you checked out the article, though, eh? I’m not into tear-jerking love stories where one person dies, so I think I’ll be skipping most of his stuff.
I’ll bug you about NaNoWriMo next year, then. :)
~Tui