Writing: NaNoWriMo!

I'VE FAILED THREE TIMES, BUT THIS IS MY YEAR!

NaNoWriMo is such a great writing project, but I've never been able to do it... so I decided to change it up a bit! What do you think?

[jessethereader]

I so resonate with the idea of caring about something, but not actually doing that said thing. I've wanted to write for awhile now and I've always had the dream of putting out a book, but in reality, I was never doing anything to achieve that dream. NaNoWriMo has pushed me to write everyday and that's just what I need. I have been meeting the word count goals, but I don't think NaNoWriMo is about meeting those goals. For me it's been about getting in the habit of writing daily and pushing myself to do something that I've been wanting to do for years. I love that what you're doing with NaNoWriMo! It's a unique take on it. :)

[msmallywelch]

Your poem was utter perfection! One thing that I admire about you, Ariel, is how you always do your own thing to help better your person. You are so inspiring to me!

[Kristina]

I loved this video, Ariel! Personally NaNoWriMo is the only thing that ever got me to actually sit down and write anything long form, and it took me "winning" 9 times before I actually worked up the courage to decide something was alright enough to warrant editing. I finally started editing a novel, and it feels amazing. NaNoWriMo clearly works for me, but it was also something I hid behind for many many years! It's interesting how I feel writers all have their unique struggle. I am so happy to see you've found a way to spark your own inspiration and thank you very much for sharing something with us!

[PippityBop]

How AMAZING was that poem. Honestly, stunning. You talented little mushroom you.
I don't have much to say about NaNoWriMo because I'm not a writer - but ABSOLUTELY relate with you about really caring about something that you rarely get the chance to put time into. I've barely drawn anything since graduating so I'm thinking about getting a teeny sketchbook and carrying it around with me. It feels so good when you eventually get to DOING the thing you love and miss so much (even though it's hard sometimes).

[lifeasnikki]

I almost didn't participate on NaNoWriMo this year, but I'm doing it and I'm loving so much! It has been working for me and I couldn't be happier. And it's a big challenge because I'm writing in English and that's my second language, so I know it's not the best, but I'm enjoying the experience.
Btw, I love this project you have with your boyfriend, it's such a sweet and creative way to keep in touch when you're far away! Keep writing Ariel, once sentence per day is better than no sentence at all!

[imagineworkshop]

The way you went about NaNo is similar to how I am doing it this year. Instead of pictures I use a random word generator and I have to incorporate that word into my story every single day. It has given my novel insane twists, but I absolutely love that. It's probably one of the best pieces I've ever written. The spontaneity is what keeps me writing every day.

[OliveTree]

Your poem was absolutely beautiful!!! The imagery you used was just so amazing, I felt like I was in that time of warm colors, but also felt the oncoming darkness - gave me chills. You're a truly beautiful person :)

[colourbooks]

Omg the poem about the leaves was so beautiful u could totally make every photo and poem you did into a book and I'd buy it

[sarabarbosa]

Omg, your poem was so beautiful, touching and dense. The way tou said the words, the way you wrote about a "normal" theme, everything was amazing.

[TheNerdyBookNerd]

This poem was so, SO beautiful! I really like your way of doing NaNoWriMo, and that you are doing this together! :) NaNo is going okay for me, but I had kind of hoped to win on Sunday and it seems a little unlikely that I will.

[RebeccaKSampson]

I love how you are making NaNo your own, really the point is to get into the habit of writing every day so I'm glad you're doing that. I am participating this year. Last year I got to 36K and I'm hoping to do even more now. The poem you shared was really lovely, thank you.

[MaddyLee]

I am participating in NaNoWriMo this year but I finished my first draft already with about 30k words. I know it's not 50k but I was satisfied with my word count since it is the first draft I have ever finished for a story I had planned to write. Now, I'm rereading it and taking notes for when I edit the crap out of the draft.

Ariel, I love your twist of NaNoWriMo! The pictures that your boyfriend sends you reminds me of this writing blog where they post pictures and us writers should write something about it. You poem was beautiful and definitely showed the struggles with long distance relationships (from what I have at least witnessed anyways).

Happy Writing!

[_yvonnerausch]

fire and ashes and fall and long distance relationships and frustration and almost winter and cold. Perfect different things laced up together beautifully. Congratulations

[maya.adastra]

That poem was sad, but so beautiful!!! I loved it and the imagery was amazing. I like how you've changed up NaNoWriMo and made it yours. At its heart NaNo is all about taking a month out of the year to devote to your creative expression. It doesn't matter how many words you write as long as you're writing. I am doing NaNo and have been reaching the daily word count goals, but am not overly focused on how much I'm writing. My goal per day is to just write and let the ideas flow. I don't even care if it any of it makes sense (that can be solved during revisions.) I just write and have fun.

[CharlieBookFanatic]

That poem was so beautiful. I honestly cried. Wow, Ariel.

[Amanda-kwuq]

Aw your poem was so beautiful, it made me cry :(
I've been in a long-distance relationship for almost three years, and you perfectly touch on some of the pain that comes with that kind of love.
You're an amazing writer, and I wish you love and strength :)

[JbbreadsBlogspot]

Ariel, what you've read is totally Literary worthy!! All your frustration and emotions just oozed out in your written poem with bursting words of descriptions. It's really good!

[amipop]

This is why I write on my own time, and not how much I can get done in a month. It'll just be sloppy, and I don't like seeing my writing so sloppy. Plus, I like understanding my characters, story, and plot and to not make writing seem like a chore and my story be half-assed.

Anyway, that poem was beautiful!!! Keep writing!! :)

[newbooksmell]

your poem is. SO. beautiful.

I appreciate it as someone who has been in a long distance relationship for 3 years - also having to deal with time zone issues and the Atlantic ocean making everything much more difficult. that said, I think your own NaNoWriMo was the best idea ever! I love this kind of project where people exchange photographs and stories. you could turn that into a project that lasts longer than NaNoWriMo itself. it would be lovely to follow that happening :)

[CarrieTakahata]

I like your NaNoWriMo process! I'm doing NaNoWriMo for the first time this year. I'm a poet so I'm trying to write 50 poems + brainstorming/mind dumping = 50, 000 words. I'm over halfway there! Good luck to you!