I’m sure I’ve said it before, but writing really is a lonely business, which is fine with me most of the time. A lot of writers, like me, are also introverts. But, once in a while, we need to come up for air.
I love going to writer conferences because there are so many like-minded people at them. They are my tribe, after all. That does not mean I spend every waking moment communing with the other attendees, though.
But it’s also great keeping in touch with all the other creators on the internet.
While I toil away at various tasks, including some actual writing, I can check to see what everyone else is up to and be inspired.
To that end, I’m planning to participate in two of the national challenges this November – PiBoIdMo and NaNoWriMo.
PiBoIdMo, which is the brain child of writer Tara Lazar (taralazar.com), challenges writers to come up with thirty new picture book ideas in thirty days. I have done this challenges a few times before. Granted, the ideas are not all winners, but I like that it gets me thinking in the right direction. Also, Tara has wonderful guest bloggers every day of the month and for the few days surrounding it. So I get even more inspiration and reminders that we’re all in this together. It’s great! Come join us.
NaNoWriMo (nanowrimo.org) – the National Novel Writing Month – encourages writers in all genres to just sit down and write. The idea is to write a 50,000-word novel, all during the month of November. Sometimes, you have to be reminded to put the butt in chair. I did this challenge in 2009. I think I’ve finally recovered.
I may be crazy, but at least I’m not alone.
Or maybe I’ll do the Mini WriMo. Hmm …
Childish Nonsense 
Leave a Reply