Writing: Camp NaNoWrimo is here for July

 To see far is one thing:going there is another. - Brancusi
From the book Art & Fear

Camp NaNoWrimo is an extension of National Novel Writing Month, known as  NaNoWriMo (na-noh-RY-moh)  an annual internet-based creative writing project that takes place every November. NaNoWriMo challenges participants to write 50,000 words of a first draft for a story they would want to write or even publish. It's purpose is to encourage young and old who might be too scared to write or lacked the discipline an opportunity to join hundreds of thousands of individuals from around the world at the same time to write the story they always wanted to tell. 

The simple goal of NaNoWriMo is to get people writing, no matter how bad the writing is, through the end of a first draft. It should be noted that there is a time to celebrate length, or what so many call "the journey" or "experience of the journey" that gives one confidence to complete a task. Once the first draft is completed then the quality can be addressed in the editing phase which you have as long as you want to accomplish.

Even John Green entered the NaNoWriMo competition in 2009. Great words of advice from the author of The Fault in our Stars. I love what he had to say. I played this for my students and encouraged my students to participate.

Encouraged by my student's, I was lucky enough to write 52,818 words which made me in the eyes of the NaNoWriMo world a winner. The truth of the matter is if I had only written 10,000 words I would have been proud of what I had accomplished. I wrote my story  during a school year in which I had 6 Advanced Placement classes, two after school clubs and athletic administrative duties after school. Most of my writing happened between 10pm and 1am every night until Thanksgiving vacation. I had little time to make friends and utilize all of the helpful tools available to all participants. I do not want to miss out on it this time.This was one of the hardest and best experiences of my life to date.

Camp NaNoWriMo  is a little different. They had two sessions planned this year. The first session was planned for April which I missed due to severe illness and the second is for July.

Chris Angotti, Director of Programs and his crew envisioned "this Camp originally as an off-season alternative to National Novel Writing Month, but it's evolved into much more than that: writers choose their own projects—from novel sequels to scripts to pop-up books—and find cabin communities (and often new friends) to support them. You can sign up and check all of this out at Camp NaNoWrimo "
 
"It is more like a retreat because you can write anything, and  you're capable of when you have the time and space to create". I am looking forward to this Camp.

You can also set flexible word-count goals (10,000 to 999,999) and the ability to add your own project genre. I chose Horror/Fantasy with a number count of 20,000 for a short story that I definitely want to have published. I even have my own preliminary cover art to go along with the story. Working Title: A Golem and his Boy.

If you love to write or just want to get started telling a story that has been with you for a long time make Camp NaNoWriMo your creative retreat this summer. Sign up today )  Get ready because the writing begins July 1!

* Some of this post is redited from my post dated November 1, 2013 or emails from  explaining the programs to previous writers of the program.