11 May 2011

Rebel Forces


So, who's signed up for BuNoWriMo? You? Yeah, you in the red shirt? What are you waiting for? Look, I know we're a bunch of certifiable nutcases, but it's a lot of fun. Promise. We've even come up with various "oh crap I really don't think I can do a 50K novel" strategies for people who want to go rebel (who may or may not include yours truly {no really, I haven't decided yet}).

1. A drabble a day for 30 days. For those of you who are really new to the party (yes, you can have cake anyway), a drabble is a 100-word story. No more, no fewer. Last year there was a diary version, a children's tale version, and probably more I didn't know about. It provides discipline and commitment without the massive output expectations.

2. Tag-team it. I'm considering this one; as far as I can tell, the easiest way is to stick your file in Google Docs so everyone participating can access and add to it when it's their turn. 1667 words a day, and who cares who wrote 'em! A cohesive storyline probably helps a bit though.

3. Try to add 50K to a WiP, rather than working from scratch. Need a kick in the rear for a stagnated tale? Or maybe you've got what's turning out to be an 800-page monster *cough*Tami*cough* and just need to make some progress. 50,000 words are 50,000 words, whatever they're part of, after all.

4. Make it up as you go along. Hey, we're easy (errrrm... no, not that way). You won't get beaten with a ruler or even made to stand in the corner if you don't quite make it all the way through - though you might not get the invite to the official winners' party (hey guys? Are we having a party???), any kind of progress beats sitting on your rear end and watching your screensaver cycle again... and again... and again...

No more excuses! Here's the link. Click it. You know you want to. We have cookies. Errrm... somewhere.

Image: Made for me by Joris Ammerlaan

10 comments:

Unknown said...

This kills me.... A, because I plan to write (even though my plans always fall through), and B, I am wearing a red shirt today. Divine intervention. Now I HAVE to stick to my plan. ;)

Jan Morrison said...

I'll think about it. I would have to do number 3 as I'm now working on my manuscript from two nanos ago! yikes. so yes. I don't need fifty thousand more words however. I just need to finish the first draft all the way through - maybe another 20 thou. So those 20 thou and revision at whatever the going rate is. One hour of revising equals a thousand words?
still thinking...

Stacy Gail said...

I'm going to be a rebel, but I'm going to do it. Two 30K novellas in 30 days should make up for the rebelliousness, ne? :)

ViolaNut said...

Amy - did we not warn you that there are psychic webcams hooked up to this blog? Oops. ;-)

Jan - sounds fine to me. Hell, I had to write around 9000 words of an adjunct knitting pattern to make my count last year when my original project was "finished" at barely over 40K!

Stacy - you are one insane penguin, you know that, right? ;-)

Natasha said...

I'm joining in but as a rebel. Don't know what form my rebellion will take (I'm not sure if I want another 30 drabble long children's story on my hands), but participate I will.
Bring on the Rebels!!!

ViolaNut said...

Natasha - you crept in while I was posting, you sneaky thing you! ;-) Let's have a Rebel Tent. Or Rebel Hot Tub. Or something. *snort*

ViolaNut said...

For those who originally commented on this post - Blogger ate the comments, we didn't delete them, so don't worry, we don't hate you. :-)

Sue said...

hmm, maybe I could do something, but the novel writing bug has never hit me - possibly drabbles? BUT and it's a big but, I'll be travelling for the month, and internet connection will be intermittent or non-existent, so I won't be able to join in. Gosh it all sounds like a lot of fun though. Maybe I can do my own little thing on paper... Have fun everyone!

Natasha said...

@ Sue- go for it. A drabble a day is what I did last year, and I was more than happy with the process.
You don't need connectivity- since it is 100 words, you can use pen and paper instead.

Sue said...

thanks Rayna. I'm in! I'll post the results when I get in range again. It could be either late June or mid July.