Comments on: NaNoWriMo: Writing with the Bulls http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/ Writing, Publishing, Social Media and Community Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:51:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Purple Monster » Blog Archive » Running With the Bulls - A Nano Analogy http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/comment-page-2/#comment-4250 Purple Monster » Blog Archive » Running With the Bulls - A Nano Analogy Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:22:50 +0000 http://editorunleashed.com/?p=4602#comment-4250 [...] Writing With The Bulls [...] [...] Writing With The Bulls [...]

]]> By: Bill Henderson http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/comment-page-2/#comment-4175 Bill Henderson Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:12:12 +0000 http://editorunleashed.com/?p=4602#comment-4175 That's a great idea--30 chapter headings. And applying Nanowrimo to manic depression is an amazing idea. It's odd and ironic how some of the mental or emotional conditions we struggle with in daily life (I have mine) are often viewed as fueling great creative work. It's true that manic depressives, in their "manic" periods, have written great stuff (Hemingway). But I imagine writers who struggle with this condition yearn most of all for consistency. You've recognized that consistency is the foundation idea Nanowrimo is built on and done something with it. That’s a great idea–30 chapter headings. And applying Nanowrimo to manic depression is an amazing idea. It’s odd and ironic how some of the mental or emotional conditions we struggle with in daily life (I have mine) are often viewed as fueling great creative work. It’s true that manic depressives, in their “manic” periods, have written great stuff (Hemingway). But I imagine writers who struggle with this condition yearn most of all for consistency. You’ve recognized that consistency is the foundation idea Nanowrimo is built on and done something with it.

]]> By: Alegra Clarke http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/comment-page-2/#comment-4170 Alegra Clarke Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:28:21 +0000 http://editorunleashed.com/?p=4602#comment-4170 Chairce - I love what you are doing. I know several people with manic depression and I can understand the power of what you are promoting based on witnessing what they struggle with, including, as you said, the fear that medication will dull their creativity and the vicious cycle of beginning things but not being able to finish them (something I think is powerful for all of us to experience!). I applaud your commitment and passion to enrolling and empowering more people through the NaNoWriMo medium. Chairce – I love what you are doing. I know several people with manic depression and I can understand the power of what you are promoting based on witnessing what they struggle with, including, as you said, the fear that medication will dull their creativity and the vicious cycle of beginning things but not being able to finish them (something I think is powerful for all of us to experience!). I applaud your commitment and passion to enrolling and empowering more people through the NaNoWriMo medium.

]]> By: Chairce http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/comment-page-2/#comment-4169 Chairce Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:23:57 +0000 http://editorunleashed.com/?p=4602#comment-4169 This was my third NaNo. I finished ten days early. What I do is think of 5000 word chapters, each with its own little arc. That gives me a 3 day-ish mini-goal that I can easily make in two if I am jazzed up enough. I am evangelical about NaNo, too, but in a sphere that is unusual. I run a forum for people with manic depression (Bipolar Disorder). I have it, too. Most of us are on medications like Lithium, which people generally believe kill creativity. I am proof it doesn't. Each of my NaNo novels was completed early, and each was then expanded to over 100,000 words. This year I brought two people with me and they finished, too. I wanted to mention this because the rate of manic depression among writers is higher than that for the genera population, and one of the biggest complaints of this neurological disorder is the inability to commit to or complete projects, most of all creative ones. My goal next year is to bring at least five with me. I know I can do it. :) This was my third NaNo. I finished ten days early. What I do is think of 5000 word chapters, each with its own little arc. That gives me a 3 day-ish mini-goal that I can easily make in two if I am jazzed up enough.

I am evangelical about NaNo, too, but in a sphere that is unusual. I run a forum for people with manic depression (Bipolar Disorder). I have it, too. Most of us are on medications like Lithium, which people generally believe kill creativity. I am proof it doesn’t. Each of my NaNo novels was completed early, and each was then expanded to over 100,000 words.

This year I brought two people with me and they finished, too. I wanted to mention this because the rate of manic depression among writers is higher than that for the genera population, and one of the biggest complaints of this neurological disorder is the inability to commit to or complete projects, most of all creative ones.

My goal next year is to bring at least five with me. I know I can do it. :)

]]> By: Top 10 NaNoWriMo-tivators (plus Some Cute Penguins) « Away with Words http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/comment-page-2/#comment-4101 Top 10 NaNoWriMo-tivators (plus Some Cute Penguins) « Away with Words Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:20:20 +0000 http://editorunleashed.com/?p=4602#comment-4101 [...] Writing with the Bulls. Writer Alegra Clarke guest blogs on Editor Unleashed and tells us why she takes up the challenge each year. Her blog home can be found at Eros-Alegra Clark. [...] [...] Writing with the Bulls. Writer Alegra Clarke guest blogs on Editor Unleashed and tells us why she takes up the challenge each year. Her blog home can be found at Eros-Alegra Clark. [...]

]]> By: Elizabeth Irwin http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/comment-page-2/#comment-4078 Elizabeth Irwin Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:52:45 +0000 http://editorunleashed.com/?p=4602#comment-4078 I am knee deep in NaNo but still about 15K off the mark for where I "should" be. NaNo has taught me valuable lessons in perseverance and focus better than five years of martial arts. It's also given me creative ways to tell my internal critic and internal editor, "Shut up. I'll call you when I need you." And as a freelance editor, that's saying something. Whatever you write for NaNoWriMo, it's important to remember that perfection is not the goal. Time at the keyboard equals words on the page, and that puts you closer to a Novel. Good luck! I am knee deep in NaNo but still about 15K off the mark for where I “should” be. NaNo has taught me valuable lessons in perseverance and focus better than five years of martial arts. It’s also given me creative ways to tell my internal critic and internal editor, “Shut up. I’ll call you when I need you.”

And as a freelance editor, that’s saying something.

Whatever you write for NaNoWriMo, it’s important to remember that perfection is not the goal. Time at the keyboard equals words on the page, and that puts you closer to a Novel. Good luck!

]]> By: Karen Marcus http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/comment-page-2/#comment-3820 Karen Marcus Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:06:45 +0000 http://editorunleashed.com/?p=4602#comment-3820 I recently discovered NaNoWriMo through Twitter. My first thought was, "Feh. I have no time." But, the idea took root in my mind and grew into the notion of an opportunity I have decided I can't pass up. I'm not necessarily expecting great results, but am expecting to have a great time trying. I recently discovered NaNoWriMo through Twitter. My first thought was, “Feh. I have no time.” But, the idea took root in my mind and grew into the notion of an opportunity I have decided I can’t pass up. I’m not necessarily expecting great results, but am expecting to have a great time trying.

]]> By: NaNoWriMo: Just Around the Corner http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/comment-page-2/#comment-3813 NaNoWriMo: Just Around the Corner Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:51:54 +0000 http://editorunleashed.com/?p=4602#comment-3813 [...] post is 3 years old, but it still has some great resources for writing and word count meters. NaNoWriMo: Writing with the Bulls An inspirational post by Alegra Clarke, who tells her readers why she enjoys this [...] [...] post is 3 years old, but it still has some great resources for writing and word count meters. NaNoWriMo: Writing with the Bulls An inspirational post by Alegra Clarke, who tells her readers why she enjoys this [...]

]]> By: alice hive http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/comment-page-2/#comment-3703 alice hive Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:39:58 +0000 http://editorunleashed.com/?p=4602#comment-3703 Great article! As an NaNoWriMo winner myself I can confirm your positive experiences. Great article! As an NaNoWriMo winner myself I can confirm your positive experiences.

]]> By: Sunday Wash-Up, 18th October « Shack's Comings and Goings http://editorunleashed.com/2009/10/12/nanowrimo-writing-with-the-bulls/comment-page-2/#comment-3702 Sunday Wash-Up, 18th October « Shack's Comings and Goings Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:01:03 +0000 http://editorunleashed.com/?p=4602#comment-3702 [...] NaNoWriMo: Writing with the Bulls Why do writers do it? Alegra Clarke tries to explain, but at the point where she describes running naked down the street, I start to feel that November as ‘the’ writing month may have been a poor choice. Brrrr! [...] [...] NaNoWriMo: Writing with the Bulls Why do writers do it? Alegra Clarke tries to explain, but at the point where she describes running naked down the street, I start to feel that November as ‘the’ writing month may have been a poor choice. Brrrr! [...]

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