6(ish) Weeks to Go...and a CONTEST.

After careening through most of 2010 at breakneck speed, we've arrived at mid-September. Well, in this time zone anyway. Those of you in those other, lesser time zones on the wrong side of the International Date Line are probably still back in, like, March or something. But for us cool kids on the West Side, it's mid-September.

And that means...a month and a half until NaNoWriMo. I know, I know, where did the year go, right?

In the past, I have blogged at length about the benefits of NaNoWriMo. If you're new to my blog and haven't read my lengthy dissertation on why NaNoWriMo is beneficial, click hyuh. It's been just about two years since I did my first NaNo, and I stand by what I said in the aforementioned blog post about how beneficial it is. It's not intended for you to crank out a masterpiece, it's intended for you to get in the habit of writing every single day. Because that's what writers do. They write. Scarlett sent me this article about things bestselling authors do, and one of the listed points is "they write, and write, and write some more." So, to say the least, it's a valuable habit to get into...and NaNo creates just the right level of competition and accountability to kick a lot of people's butts into their chairs, put their fingers on their keyboards, and get them writing.

It sure as hell helped me. After years of faffing about (as Scarlett would put it), I started writing on November 1, 2008. I'd been writing for years. You know, outlining, thinking about writing, talking about writing, learning about writing. But that was the day I buckled down, got serious, and started writing.

Two years, 19 finished novels, 2 novellas, and 12 publishing contracts later, I haven't stopped. Both of my NaNo novels are sold: Camera Shy is currently available from Noble Romance, and Until It's Over will be out - appropriately enough - in November from Carnal Passions. Scarlett's '08 NaNo novel, Long Time Coming, is available from Carnal Passions, and her '09 novel, The Devil You Know, is coming from Loose Id in January.

Not exactly a waste of time, is it?

So, for my loyal blog minions who are getting started writing, or need a kick in the butt to get back in gear after a dry spell, I can't recommend NaNo enough. If you don't win, so what? You still have more words written at the end of the month than you did at the beginning, and you can always write more in December.

With six weeks or so until Nov 1, now is the perfect time to start thinking about what to write. Outline if you need to, plotter and scheminate, or just start brewing an idea.

Now...I mentioned a contest, did I not?

I present to you...

The 1st Possibly Annual
Adventures in Navy Wifing
NaNoWriMo Contest

(Hereby abbreviated ThFiPoAnAdInNaWiNaNoWriMoCo)

(On second thought, how about "NANO CONTEST"?)

Here's how it works:

1. Enter NaNoWriMo.
2. Write like your face is on fire.
3. When you win, validate your word count per NaNo's rules.
4. THEN...and here's the important part...send me proof that you won. Proof can be your winner's certificate or a screenshot of your validated word count, sent to thethinker42(at)gmail(dot)com.
   

DEADLINE: December 10, 2010. (December 11, Japan time)

Then I will draw three names.

The first name drawn will receive a signed paperback copy of one of my books (title of your choice, depending on what's available).

The second and third will receive electronic copies of one of my books, title/format of your choice.

If any other authors wish to contribute prizes, please let me know. Contributors will be listed on the NANO CONTEST page with cover art and buy links. The more prizes we have, the more names we can draw, so pass this around to anyone and everyone - the more the merrier!

Go forth, loyal blog minions, and get writing! (or, well, planning, since NaNo doesn't start until Nov 1).