Camp NaNo

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Here we are ten days into Camp NaNoWriMo. My word count is not exactly where I would like it, but today is another day. It amazes me how many things, outside of writing, come up during NaNoWriMo and the camps. Who am I kidding? Things outside of writing come up all the time. Maybe it is more noticeable during the months I participate in NaNoWriMo. For my friends and family reading this, because they love me and not because they are writers, I want to share briefly what NaNoWriMo (NaNo) means to the writing world. 

NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month. It all began in 1999 with a challenge among friends to write 50,000 words in thirty days. I imagine you are wondering how many pages that is equal to. I get that question often when I talk about word count. Fifty thousand words are equivalent to between one hundred sixty-five pages to two hundred pages depending on the source. 

In 2020, 552,335 people took part in NaNoWriMo in November. Also in 2020, 448 libraries, bookstores, and community centers hosted the Come Write In for writers to write together. Jackson-Madison County Library was included, however social distancing was required. Last Saturday we had our first write-in for July’s Camp NaNo.

This leads me to where we are this month. An event that has been added through the years, Camp NaNoWriMo, occurs in April and July. During these camps, writers set their own goals. For example, one of my regular goals for camp is to write every day, which I should be doing anyway. My other goal for this month is to write 15,000 words. As of this time, I have 4,316 words toward my goal. Not too bad, but I would rather be ahead of the game.  

Hundreds of traditionally published books had their beginnings in NaNoWriMo. A few you may recognize are Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I hope to find my name on that list someday soon as well.

So, that is a peek into the world of NaNoWriMo. If you are interested in learning more or even giving it a shot yourself, feel free to check out nanowrimo.org. Of course, if you have any questions or want encouragement, I am here for you! 

Off I go to the second write-in for Camp NaNo. Happy writing!

13 thoughts on “Camp NaNo”

  1. Ted Lorup

    I always wanted to write a children’s book but I doubt any child would read a 50,000 word book. Thought about writing magazine articles again, but the truth of the matter is; writing is hard work and I am just too lazy. Good luck with your writing. We know someday your book will be a best seller.

    2. annelcalvert

      I believe you could do it again. Your first magazine article was informative and very good.

      Thank you for the support and encouragement!

      1. Tanya Marie Sykes

        You do not give yourself enough credit. I have read everything I can find that you have written with the exception of your books, I can’t seem to get my hand on those. Anyways, what I have read is informative, interesting, easy to understand and keeps your attention. With me that nearly impossible. So, give yourself some credit.

        1. annelcalvert

          Thank you for being so faithful to read everything you can find 🙂 Hang on, the books will come.

    3. C S

      The nice thing about the 50,000-word challenge is it can be a collection of short stories. As far as children’s books, make that several collections of children’s stories. 🙂

  2. Wanda Calvert

    Each day you will get closer to your goal of this challenge. I am proud of you & can’t wait till your books are published.

    1. annelcalvert

      Thank you! I appreciate the support and that you are speaking life over my books.

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