We’ve been complaining for over two years about the narrow depictions of African American women in popular culture. Those images won’t change until we provide an alternative, produce it, and distribute it. That’s why I am participating in National Novel Writing Month. It begins on November 1st! I’ve got one month to crank out at least 50,000 words. Although I doubt I will be getting on the internet much during November. I’m excited. This should be FUN!
For those who want to know what I am writing about, the best I can tell you at this point is that it will be scifi and the main character will not be beat down, broke, and struggling to make it out of the hood. She might even be immortal. Oh yes, and royalty 
Learn more about National Novel Writing Month.
What: Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month’s time.
Who: You! We can’t do this unless we have some other people trying it as well. Let’s write laughably awful yet lengthy prose together.
Why: The reasons are endless! To actively participate in one of our era’s most enchanting art forms! To write without having to obsess over quality. To be able to make obscure references to passages from our novels at parties. To be able to mock real novelists who dawdle on and on, taking far longer than 30 days to produce their work.
When: You can sign up anytime to add your name to the roster and browse the forums. Writing begins November 1. To be added to the official list of winners, you must reach the 50,000-word mark by November 30 at midnight. Once your novel has been verified by our web-based team of robotic word counters, the partying begins.
Still confused? Just visit the How NaNoWriMo Works page!
23 comments ↓
I feel like I’ve been doing NANOWRIMO for a year now. I’ve written six books since last August. I think my best was the 60k+ I did for Morning Star in one month. So yes, it can be done. Everybody get on board.
I signed up for this, too. This will be my first time doing it. Thank you for putting their icon on your blog–it reminded me that I wanted to give it a shot this year.
I’m going to write it using one of my manual portable typewriters — I don’t think that my eyesight can take 50,000 words in front of a computer screen. (I’ll scan the pages for the word count.)
This is my fourth year doing NaNoWriMo and will hopefully be the second year I reach the 50,000 word goal. It will also be my first attempt to write a racism-based piece. We’ll see how it goes.
This will be my 5 year in Nanowrimo. It is a fun ride and I hope that you enjoy it.
I don’t think i’m a good enough writer to join, let alone writing 50,000 words in a month, but i wish you all luck.
Thank you for this! I just signed up. I’m gonna do it!
I wish I had time to do this but I’m trying to graduate. maybe next year.
@deborah YAY! you can “friend” me on the nanowrimo site. My nick is the same.
@hp the point is that you don’t have to be a “good enough” writer. The challenge is to tell a story. It doesn’t have to be a well-written one
I share your concern that I will be a crappy writer, but I’m going to do it anyway. It may be 50,000 words of crap, but it will be my crap.
@hp
Under the rules it stated that they knew we’d be writing a bunch of crap. No kidding…I’m sure I saw that on the website at least twice….
Surely we can put out crap daily…I think we’re qualified. I’m sure we can do this hp…it’s only 30 days.
Think about it…in 30 days (starting November 1), you will be able to smugly add…”Yes, I’ve just finished my first novel.”
If not, don’t worry…I’ll put out enough crap for the both of us.
I was kidding, of course. I used to write short stories and poetry…after the hubby and kids, I just don’t seem to have time to write anymore…this is my inspiration to get back into the game.
I didn’t know that they would accept crap, now i can deliver that. lol!
Gem and Yme u two are funny.
Congratulations Gina and the WAOD readers. Sending you all positive vibes. I am going to use the time to complete my next non-fiction book draft. So I will be with you all in spirit. I needed this push! Peace and creativity, Ananda
Thank you Gina.I look forward to buying your book.Will you consider naming a character in the book Truth?lol’s
Ananda I also look forward to supporting your work as well.I’m sure that both Gina and Ananda will let us know when the books are finished and where we can purchase them.I will be impatiently waiting, lol’s.
Congratulations Gina and Ananda.
Wait, what is this im going to have to go to the website NanoWrimo.Are the finished products even going to be for sale?lol’s Got ahead of myself.I don’t think i’ll be able to do this but i’d still like to read all of your projects.
If I don’t get a book deal for the novel by March 2010, you best believe I’m going to self-publish that puppy. Not after I spent the whole month of November pouring my little heart out. Yest, Truth P I will name a character after you ,but I can’t guarantee the character will be human nor can I foreclose the possibility that the character won’t be a villain
@gina,
LOL, I said the exact thing about my novel. I have the publish or die psychie right now. I’ve self published before and it was a lot of fun and hard work. I got a lot great feedback from my readers.
I signed up for Novel in a month and I am looking forward to it helpling me break my procrastination habit. I’m writing a young adult romance novel.
umm…I am in!!!
Mee too!!
Thanks Gina.I’m very excited for you all.Looks like i’m gonna be doing alot of reading.I’m reading Gina’s first though, since she’s naming a character after me.lol’s
Ummmm (LD side eyes post and scratches chin), I know I have plenty to write about. This just might be the thearpy i’ve been looking for.
Yay NaNoWriMo! I’ve done it two years in a row (completed the first year, didn’t get very far the second) but it’s a GREAT experience! Thank you for reminding me about it, actually
It comes around so fast.
(As for me… I’m a lurker… Great blog BTW.)
And if anyone wants to friend me on NaNoWriMo, I’m coreycoreycorey
Just signed up. I know. I’m late. But like others have said, thank you for posting this link and being the inspiration. I’ve had at least three different stories rolling around in my head for several years. One is screaming to be born and now is the time.