2009 NaNoWriMo Novel Survey

While going through my files, trying to update my NaNoWriMo profile, I stumbled upon a survey I took back in 2009 after finishing Bad Moon Rising.  I originally found this survey in one of the NaNo forums (probably Games, Diversions, & Other Exciting Forms of Procrastination, as I tend to hang out there a lot when I should be writing).  Anyway, I thought it was kind of neat.  I am posting it here in its entirety (all 75 questions and answers).  I admit, I was tempted to edit some of my responses, but I resisted the urge in the name of authenticity.  I completed this survey on November 26, 2009.

So, without further ado, here are my answers to the 2009 NaNoWriMo Novel Survey:

Week Two

It is now April 8th, week two of Camp NaNoWriMo, and all my good intentions have fallen by the wayside.  Five days ago, I quit my job of two and a half years and my life has been nothing but pure chaos ever since.  Once the insanity dies down - which may take a while - I have every intention of devoting myself to my writing career.  I may not write a single word for camp, but, at the very least, I intend to keep up with this blog.

When choosing a title for this blog, I considered something directly related to writing.  My initial choice was "Writing, Reading, and Romance" because not only am I a writer, but I am also an avid reader, primarily of romance.  But that seemed too generic, too straightforward, and I wasn't sure that I wanted to be stuck with such a pedestrian title for the rest of my blogging career.  So, instead I chose "The School of Mental Gymnastics."  And now, after the insane week I've just had, I realize that I could not have chosen a more fitting moniker for my blog.  Writers are very cerebral creatures.  We constantly live in our heads, even when we seem to be functioning perfectly fine in the outside world.  I am always jumping through mental hoops to create stories and cope with the unpleasant realities of the real world.  I think, for now at least, I will keep my title, as it describes my current mental and emotional state perfectly.

Welcome to Camp NaNoWriMo

Ah, April 1st.  The first day of camp.  Well, Camp NaNoWriMo.  And just like the last two or three or four sessions of camp, I have decided to write a novel.  I suspect I will have as much success with this attempt as with the last several attempts, and yet I'm willing to try again.  I'm a veteran Wrimo, having won eight years in a row, (I even have NaNoWriMo license plates on my car), but a victory at camp has always eluded me.  Maybe it's because of the lack of overwhelming pressure associated with the camp experience.  Camp is supposed to be fun, relaxed.  I don't do well with fun and relaxed.  In order to really commit myself to the writing process, I need pressure.  Lots and lot of pressure.  And coffee.  Lots and lots of coffee.  Still, it's April 1st and here I am again.  I'm going to give it another try.

For those of you unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo - and it's more relaxed, lazier offspring, Camp NaNoWriMo - I will provide a brief introduction.  NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month.  Every November, thousands upon thousands of people all over the world get it into their heads that they are going to write their very own 50,000 word novels in just 30 short days.  It sounds crazy, it is crazy, but it can be done.  And it's one of the best writing experiences I've had in the 20 plus years I have been writing fiction.  For a more detailed explanation of the insanity that is NaNoWriMo, check out the sites very informative FAQ page.