My National Novel Writing Month Alternative: HaNoWriMo
Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 9:06AM
Image Source: RepManBlog.com
Every year since 2003, I've attempted to complete NaNoWriMo (short for National Novel Writing Month). The way I see it, NaNoWriMo participants have been using the Tweetup format for years before Twitter was in existence. What do I mean? People all over the world meet up in cafes, coffee houses, libraries, and other locations to write together after convening and connecting online.
One of my the items on my bucket list is to write a novel. If it's one of yours too, I definitely recommend giving NaNoWriMo a shot. For ten years they've had everything we love about connecting via social media platforms...community, user generated content, sharing knowledge and lessons learned, and making friends that will last long after the month-long challenge is complete.
Honestly, I've tried and failed every year since 2003 to start and complete my 50,000 word novel (the benchmark for having successfully completed the challenge). And this year, I'm not even going to try it because my November is already shaping up to be pretty hectic schedule-wise.
But I do want to harness the spirit of writing every day. And I know there's a NaBloPoMo for those that want to write a blog post every day of the month.
For me, my biggest challenge is certainly not going online every day and connecting. No, my challenge is that I don't connect with those people in my offline life nearly enough.
So, for November, as an alternative to NaNoWrimo and NaBloPoMo, I'm declaring Handwritten Note Writing Month or HaNoWriMo and every day I'm going to write a handwritten note to someone in my life, friend or family. Often, being so entrenched in the digital world distracts me from the relationships that mean the most to me-the offline ones. I'm hoping that a month of hand-written notes will inspire me to do it more throughout the year.
Today I wrote a letter to my Great Aunt Maggie who is fighting Stage 3 Breast Cancer.
Want to join me? I'm not going to establish a special site to track progress or provide tips. Just buy some stamps, pick up a pen and put it to paper and tell someone how you feel about them. Use the hashtag #HaNoWriMo if you're on Twitter and let me know if you'll join me in the comments below.
*A special thank you to Clair from Mummy Deals who wrote me a handwritten Thank You note after meeting me at Blogher this summer...I think about that often and played a part in the inspiration for this post.
Reader Comments (10)
I think this is a great idea. I already have a few people planned out to receive notes this month and maybe I will just try to make it daily. Of course that is a lot of people if I try to send a different person a note each day... This could be interesting. You are always full of great ideas, thanks for sharing them! :)
I don't know what I like more, the idea or the tag: HaNoWriMo Genius all around! :)
Last year I did NaBloPoMo and it was just the thing I needed to get my creative juices going and increase my blog readership. I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to take their blog to the next level.
With regards to hand written notes, my favourite thing is leaving one for my son in his lunchbox. Just a little way to be with him during the day even when I am not.
I LOVE this idea cuz! Very very cool, I might have to start myself :)
I admire your alternative idea...it's so rare to come by handwritten letters these days.
Wonderful idea, Jessica. I feel so passionately about this topic that I started a Facebook Group called "Revive the art of personal note writing!" (Yes, the irony is kind of fun). I'd love to have you and your readers join us: http://bit.ly/rJq9h
The stories out there about the power of a personal note are absolutely compelling. I'm urging people to share these in that Facebook Group.
Thank you for shining a light on this wonderful practice.
For me, there's something so special about receiving a handwritten note in the mail and I love that my children get equally excited when they receive cards with stickers from grandparents, notes from cousins and party invitations in the mail. The kids regularly make cards but I think I'll join them this month in some hand-made, handwritten notes for friends and family myself.
As always, Jessica - thanks for the inspiration!
What a lovely challenge!! You're making me want to buy pretty stationery, a nice heavy pen and stylish stamps! Is it sad that the writing challenge actually made me want to go shopping?!
Jessica, I've created an event on Facebook (and gave you credit) for Handwritten Note Writing Month -- hope you'll get more readers and that we'll get lots of note writers: http://bit.ly/1AJHhW.
Mmm, I love a handwritten letter. It's a dying art.
(Just posted on the very subject on my blog.)