5 REASONS TO PARTICIPATE IN CAMP NANOWRIMO

Saturday, March 11, 2017
Camp NaNoWriMo is in TWENTY DAYS! (and my birthday is in eight! totally not related to the topic but still important. Or... not. Ahem. *cough*) Twenty days isn't a lot of time -- especially if you're me and haven't even started plotting yet -- but it's enough time to prepare. (...I hope. xD)

I'm pretty sure most of you've heard of NaNoWriMo -- the challenge to write 50,000 words in a month. Camp NaNo is similar, but I might actually prefer it to the official NaNo due to the reason below. I love the hype of NaNo and the massive community, but Camp has always been so special. It takes place twice a year in April and July. (and if you ask me, which you didn't, but I'm telling you anyway, those are much better times than November.)

Also, guys... this is my SIXTH TIME participating in Camp NaNoWriMo. (Um, what?) And guess what? I'll be writing my sixth novel! I'm a bundle of squeals and excitement and nerves. I'm hoping I'll be able to find a solid plot for this novel... but I can already tell that this novel is going to be troublesome. Brainstorming has been tough. :P

Enough of me rambling. It's so much more fun to do crazy writing activities with frens, so here's why you should join me in the Camp NaNo insanity.

Let's face it: Editing isn't fun. (for most people -- there are a couple of you mutant writers out there. I don't understand you, but you're great anyways. Weird... but great. xD) Another fact: editing is necessary. (Unfortunately -- until a new breed of mutant writers are born with perfection in their veins.)

I usually spend one of the the Camp NaNos editing, and the motivation is JUST WHAT I NEED. It is sometimes looked down upon to be editing a novel for the official NaNoWriMo, but it's very much encouraged for Camp! This could be your sign to finally pick up that red pen and start editing.

Also, this year Camp NaNo is letting you choose a word, line, page, or hour count goal. If tracking time or pages works better, you can now do that without some weird minute to word count conversion.

OKAY, so maybe this isn't a perk for everyone. But I've never been a fan of camp, so this is the best case scenario for me! xD No mosquitoes, creepy crawlers, or sunburn... I'll get to write with air conditioning (or heat depending on how cold April is...), and I can retire to the comfort of my own bed when its finally time to rest.

(I mean... assuming that I'll actually sleep. maybe I'll just write all night and guzzle caffeine instead. MWAHAHA there's no stopping the writing beast.)

(Now that I think about it... going to a camp for Camp NaNo would be pretty epic. I could settle for a nice beach or mountainside resort. xD)

This is one of my favorite things about Camp NaNo -- the flexibility is amazing. Instead of doing the standard 50,000 words, you could be an overachiever and write 75,000! Or 200,000! Or 50,001! Or 49,999! The possibilities are endless! xD

Really, though. This is an extremely helpful perk. There's no shame with setting a goal of 10,000 -- that turns out to be a little more than 300 words a day. Tiny goals are manageable and not as intimidating. 10,000 words will still cut a nice chunk out of your WIP!

Plus, if you meet your goal early or decide that it's too much, Camp NaNo lets you change your goal until the 20th of the month. Then you're locked in and doomed with your choice. xD

Now this is my FAVORITE part about Camp NaNoWriMo. Cabins are made up of thirteen writers. They're sorted into a virtual message board cabin -- you have the choice of entering a cabin with strangers (possible new writer friends!) or friends. There's nothing quite like NaNo stress to bond you together as cabinmates. xD

NaNo always combines the cabin's word counts into a team goal, which is where it gets fun. My cabin becomes really competitive with making our goals and it's great. :P

And unlike normal summer camps, since the cabin is virtual, you won't be kept up with giggles or snores! xP (instead your characters will bother you into the long hours of the night, demanding that you keep them alive and stop torturing them. And when you finally do kill them, the echoes of their ghostly sobs will haunt your dreams forever and ever and ever!) (yay)

Finding time and finding motivation are two very difficult parts about writing. Though Camp NaNoWriMo won't magically give you extra time (I wish *cries*), there is an overflow of motivation. Thousands of other writers will be joining you on this crazy journey, so maybe this is the boost of determination you need to make the most out of the time you've been given.

Camp NaNo also starts on a Saturday, which means staying up late writing (or plotting, which is what I'll probably be doing :P) on Friday night and SLEEPING IN THE NEXT MORNING! I am ridiculously excited with how well this works out.

Don't forget to take advantage of word sprints and word wars! Shoot me a message -- I'm definitely willing for the extra motivation, and I'm sure any other writer would appreciate the nudge to being productive.

<3,
katie grace

are you doing camp nano?
what's your word goal?

56 comments :

  1. I'M SO EXCITED FOR CAMP THOUGH. YESSSS. *squeals* I've actually already gotten my cabin sorted and filled up with only one space spare! UM WHAT? Apparently my cabin is the epic place to be XD

    Ooh but a REAL LIFE camp for Camp NaNo would be the most epic thing of ever. *flails* Like whoa, that's just so cool. I can imagine being in a literal cabin with my minion cabiners and ackkkk that would be so fun. Absolutely no sleep would ever happen though. XD BUT THAT WOULDN'T MATTER AT ALL.

    Eeep yes. Camp NaNo literally changed my writing life, and this has now reminded me that I too was going to do a blog post about Camp. *shall do that sometime in the near future*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YESS I CANNOT WAIT! Ooh, that's awesome. xD I don't have mine filled yet, but it's getting close! You're very smart in setting up early so there's not last minute panic. :P

      RIGHT? I feel like either thousands and thousands of words would get written, or none at all because we would be busy squealing and talking and too excited to even type. :P

      Camp is so great. <3 I can't wait to read your post!

      Delete
  2. Camp NaNo sounds amazing! I would like to participate in it someday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should totally do it! Maybe April will be the time to try it out? ;)

      Delete
  3. Camp NaNo is so enticing! I really will have to do it - that flexible word goal is something I really appreciate. ;)

    And all the best with your new project! I'm looking forward to hearing more about it. :) Also, happy early birthday!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DO ITT! :D

      Awh, thank you! I'm excited to work on it. You may or may not hear more about it depending on how plotting goes. :P And thanks! <3

      Delete
  4. This will be my second or third year of Camp! *can't be bothered checking b/c very lazy* I've never managed a full NaNo (50k, people? How do you do it? Are you actually people or are you a new breed of mutant writers? Or robots??)

    I haven't got a cabin yet, though. I'm a bit nervous because the year I tried a random cabin I got teens writing weird books that I wasn't very comfortable with... and other Camps, no one in the cabin talked. So yeah.

    Great article - reminds me of the good reasons I keep trying Camp - and I love your blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, that's awesome! I'm super impressed. (I know, 50k is crazy. I had to ease into it, but even that was hard!)

      Ugh, that's tough. I recommend maybe checking the forum for some cabinmates? I know there are specific threads made for finding cabinmates. :)

      Thank you! <3

      Delete
  5. Advanced Happy Birthday!!!!

    I MIGHT join Camp NaNo but for the half of April I'll be traveling as summer for me starts in... 6 days? But I'm planning to first draft throughout April and May. These are great tips, and it looks like Camp NaNo is a lot more flexible than the actual NaNoWriMo?

    - Andrea at A Surge of Thunder

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Andrea!

      DO IT. It will be extremely helpful for the half that you do participate in it. But I could how that might become a little crazy with vacationing. So maybe July could be a better choice.

      Regardless of what you decide, I hope the writing goes amazingly for you! And that you have lots of fun with your traveling. :D

      Delete
  6. I agree with everything on this post. :D

    I'm definitely doing Camp NaNoWriMo, though like you, I haven't figured out my project. I'm probably going to edit something; whether "something" is just continuing on my current project or working on Fight Song or returning to Mechanical Heart (which I actually wrote for LAST April's NaNo), I'm not yet certain. I reaaaaally want to write something original, though . . . but I know other things need to take priority.

    Happy early birthday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't remember if I've heard about Mechanical Heart or not? The name sounds familiar, and I think it was the project that sounded insanely interesting. (though pretty sure all your projects sound insanely interesting. xD) I hope to hear more about it!

      Thank you!

      Delete
  7. I'm so excited(and scared) for Camp NaNo!!! I wish you could be in my cabin tho :'(
    My goal is to finish CotN in NaNo, so we'll see how that goes. *screams*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *gasp* waaaht finish it completely? YOU GO GIRL YOU CAN DO THIS.

      I know I'll miss you guys but we talk so much anyways we'll be able to keep updated with progress. (plus I can just stalk your stalks or message you xD)

      Delete
  8. You almost convinced me... gah! Unfortunately, I won't have enough time to participate. Maybe the one during summer, yeah?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwwh, I wish finding time wasn't so hard. Yes! You could definitely participate in July's Camp NaNo. :D

      Delete
  9. Super pumped for Camp! Hopefully it will help me make a dent in my monster of a novel. :P

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am doing Camp Nano, but I do have the slight, eensy problem OF REPLOTTING EVERYTHING!! I'm actually going to be rewriting a Nano novel I wrote a while back, but I need to replot it like crazy, so I'm really cutting it close here. XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eek, we'll cut it close together. YOU CAN DO THIS. It seems like quite a few people are rewriting NaNo novels. It's an intimidating task. :P

      Delete
  11. Congrats on doing Camp so many times! You're a pro <3

    Yes, bah, editing :P I'm going to be going over beta-reader feedback all that month. However, I'm counting the hours I take to organize the information into my Camp goal of 50 hours, because that's still editing in my mind XD

    <3

    audrey caylin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hardly, but thanks. xD

      Eek, that is exciting! Organizing beta information is actually quite interesting and I enjoyed doing that. I became very motivated to fix allll the things. (and cringed that I sent the novel with all the mistakes in it. -.-)

      (and it totally counts as editing. ;)

      Delete
  12. I am now highly considering doing Camp NaNo this year.... *think think think* XD
    Katie, you are so funny!! This post was so informative and comical - I was smiling the whole time!
    Now I feel even more inspired to write today.... COME TO ME, LAPTOP! XD
    ~Jaclynn~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DO IT. *uses the force to convince you because that's a thing... right?* :P

      Aww, thank you! I HOPE YOU CAN WRITE ALL THE WORDS TODAY!

      Delete
  13. Ummm... Sounds interesting *wondering if I should try it out*

    ReplyDelete
  14. I hopefully plan to edit in April!! I mean, the ultimate plan was to edit in March and then write a new book for April but...*glares at the calendar* THAT didn't happen.😂 I also really like camps for the companionship...like even if you're suffering through word counts and characters being disagreeable, you know actual hundreds of other authors are too at that second!! IT'S SO COMFORTING.😂

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww stupid calendar. BUT YOU GOT THIIS. You editing books means one step closer to all of us someday reading one so yay! xD

      I KNOW EXACTLY. We're all in this together. :P

      Delete
  15. Yes! Camp NaNoWriMo! *cheers* I'm definitely going to participate this year! I'm hoping to write my third novel. My word count goal will probably be around 25k since school is still in session.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *gasp* You're writing a new novel? I must hear about this. o.o

      Delete
  16. Yayy! I'm so excited! I'm going for 100k, 50k for each novel. I decided to write two novels this April at the same time, partially to see what would happen XD. What's your new novel about? And, happy early birthday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dude, 100k? That's so awesome! (and insane)

      Well, it's going to be a prequel to my novel Where Shadows Lie. I'm still working on the premise and everything like that. It's confusing. xD

      Thank you!

      Delete
    2. Thanks! Insane is right up my alley. Your novel sounds cool!

      Delete
  17. I did Camp NaNo last year in July and loved it!!! For all the above reasons x)
    <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it awesome? Are you going to be participating this April?

      Delete
  18. Oh my goodness, your SIXTH Camp?! Good grief! That's amazing! I... have a confession. Despite being an avid NaNoer every year since 2010ish, I've never completed a camp. Ever. I've tried, sure, but most years I forget I'm even doing it. >.<
    Being in a cabin this year will surely help because I need to get this story re-written. XD My *goal* is 70k, but I have a feeling it will be lowered before the 20th of April...
    jeniquablog.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GASP. Well, this shall be the first time! Cabins are a huge motivator, so I'm glad you're in ours. I shall make sure to bug you for wars and make sure that you're joining in the fun. (we have a chatroom -- I'll send you the link.)

      That's such an ambitious goal! Mine will probably be up there as well, so we can do this together. xD

      Delete
  19. I ALMOST FEEL INSPIRED TO DO CAMP NANO AFTER THIS POST. I really wasn't planning on it, but DUDE. THIS POST IS GOOD. The virtual cabinmates and word wars honestly sound like the bomb.

    BUT *sigh* since I have to go to school I probably won't be in this one. MAYBE in July's? I don't know yet haha

    But I'm planning on going to a writer's conference in April SO THAT COUNTS FOR SOMETHING xD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YESS THEY'RE SO AMAZING.

      Awwhh sadness. Okay well tell me if you are doing it or not in July because then you could be in my cabin. xD

      OOH WHAT WRITER'S CONFERENCE? ahh that will be so exciting! :D

      Delete
  20. I am doing Nano... AND I'M SO EXCITED. My goal is to write 50,00 words of my new novel, Hiraeth. Right now, I'm plotting and researching since it's a historical.

    Micaiah
    www.notebooksandnovels.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YAY! That's awesome! Ooh, have you done a historical novel before? I feel like that'd be hard. o.O

      Delete
    2. I've done a historical novella before, but this is a totally different time period.

      Delete
  21. *flails* i'm so excited and nervous and everything - this will be my fifth time for camp *thumbs up* and I may be writing a whole novel (or not. who knows - I don't even have a word count estimate for this thing yet lol)

    NANO HERE WE COME *flies off to plot*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FIFTH TIME? Dude you're a pro at this. xD

      Mwahah DO ALL THE PLOTTING. I shall be joining you shortly. I just have to finish these dreaded rewrites... -.-

      Delete
  22. I'm so sad that I can't do Camp! But I'd miss at least ten days of it completely, so there's no way. *cries* I really want to do it in July!!!!

    And tbh the fact that you don't actually have to go to a camp is the true best thing. I always hated camps. XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwhhh, that's sad. *sniff* I really hope you can do it in July as well! It always helps make me feel productive in the summer. :P

      RIGHT? I'M SO GLAD I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. All of my friends LOVE camp but... eh. I'm not a fan. :P

      Delete
  23. So I'm thinking of trying this out for the first time ever on a novel that I've already started but need the motivation to keep going. I haven't ever had the chance to do NaNoWriMo before so I'm completely new to all of it. Any tips or tricks for a newby?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, motivation is tough. One thing that really helped me through NaNoWriMo is word warring with other writer friends -- you set an amount of time (ten minutes or so), and both write frantically to see who can get the most words. It's more for motivation purposes than an actual competition, but it's crazy insane how much you can get done with those!

      And... just stick with it. It's so easy to give up on a project, but if you really want to continue, just keep chugging along. Write on paper if that helps, or take a break to brainstorm. Skip ahead to a scene you're looking forward to. But one way or another it has to get written, so just powering through and getting the words on the paper is really the only way. You can do this! <3

      Delete
    2. Thanks Katie! Word wars do sound like a lot of fun, I will have to try and find someone to do it with. I think my main problem is my hectic lifestyle - by the time I'm home I just want to relax! But I need to be tougher and more committed!!! Must be motivated!

      Delete
  24. ...if I already commented I am so sorry but I can't find it and so I'll assume I didn't write one. Of course I could be going blind as well.
    CAMP IM SUPER EXCITED but also -_-. I has a lovely story about travel and adorable siblings and Italy, but then POOF turns out I have to edit my second draft of Red King. *sniffs*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doesn't look like you did! xD

      EWWW EDITING. *sniff* I'll be editing for July and not looking forward to it. -.- But hopefully you can write a new novel in July? Editing the second drafts is the worst. I hope it goes easily for you!

      Delete
  25. I swear I'll do this one day, but every time NaNo or a Camp NaNo comes around I look at my life and think "Wow, this could not possibly ever be anything but a disaster". Hopefully this July I'll be able to pull it off, though! I've been needing to go through and really edit/finish the half-written disaster of a first draft that is my biggest project, and Camp NaNo seems like as good a time as any to commit to finishing that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwh, that's not fun. xD Life loves to strike at the most inconvenient times, doesn't it?

      Eek, that sounds like a big project. Camp NaNo will definitely help with motivation for that. :P I really hope July will work out for you, because it would be cool to eventually read something from you. <3

      Delete
  26. I can't do Camp this year, ack! I have a ton of things to balance, but it's a life of a public high schooler, I suppose. I really shouldn't complain because I actually like balancing everything, although it's real easy to miss cabin mates. *sniffles*

    I underwent a name change-- guess who?

    xoxo Abigail Lennah

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am VERY excited for Camp NaNo this year! I'm actually doing NaPoWriMo for Camp NaNo - killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. XD
    Anyway, I had a question for you -- how do YOU brainstorm your novels? I got a new story idea and I'm wondering how to properly brainstorm ideas for a story.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

don't be shy to hang out in the comment section!
make frens, check back for my replies, keep things clean, shout about pizza, squeal about books, moan about editing... all that cool stuff.