Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Writers Weigh In: It's November! What's Your Acronym?

November is upon us and many writers worldwide are preparing and waiting in anticipation. 

Why?

It has nothing to do with the US Presidential election.

It has nothing to do with Thanksgiving (although, its a darn good holiday!)

It has to do with a month of challenges. 

You see, November is a month for creating in the writing community.

If you are a novelist, consider joining NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).  This challenge sets out to  "provide the support, encouragement, and good old-fashioned kick in the pants you need to write the rough draft of your novel in November."

And if you are a picture book writer (as yours truly!) consider registering for PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month).  This challenge, created by the ever talented and truly amazing Tara Lazar, finds participants writing one picture book idea a day for 30 days.  Lazar states, " You might think of a clever title. Or a name for a character. Or just a silly thing like “purple polka-dot pony.” The object is to heighten your picture-book-idea-generating senses. Ideas may build upon other ideas and your list of potential stories will grow stronger as the days pass."  Those who sign-up for Picture Book Idea Month will be eligible for prizes—like feedback from one of four literary agents and critiques from picture book editors!

So, the year is not over yet! 

Writers, Weigh In!  What will you do to keep your writing muse busy?  Pick your acronym and let's get to creating!

Happy Writing everyone!

22 comments:

  1. I'm there with you for PiBoIdMo - now, if I could just learn to pronounce it...

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    1. I remember having this conversation at dinner at the NJ conference. :)

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  2. I say "pee-bow-id-mow" but I have learned I'm in the minority. Most say "pie-bow-id-mow"!

    I was just speaking about it last night and it was introduced as "pie bow"! LOL. I find it funny I don't even pronounce the name of my own event correctly.

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  3. Now that is funny, Tara! You invented it!!!! So funny!

    SoMedBro---Not very creative but...Social Media Browsing helps keep my writing muse busy! There are so many pictures and phrases and characters as we interact with the writing community. Hey that made me think of another one....

    LoFoWriCo-Love For Writing Community

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  4. I'm heading over to Tara's to sign up for PIE right now! (I prefer Pie-Bow to Pee-Bow myself, although Peabo -- Bryson, that is -- is a great singer...)

    Even though I have a busier November than usual, and there's a week when it will be difficult to be active, I decided PiBoIdMo is just too valuable an experience to pass up.

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  5. I'm signed up for Pie-Bo! So funny, Tara, that you made it up and everyone pronounces it differently than you do :)

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  6. I thought to pronounce it with a flat i, as in picture!

    I just signed a petition for NSIO (No Snow In October). In other words, I haven't finished raking leaves!

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    1. I agree. It really should be a flat "i" as in picture. PiBoIdMo.

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  7. I'm not a PiBo writer, but even so, if I weren't doing NaNoWriMo, I'd give this a whirl! Fun idea. Meanwhile though, I'll keep on my MG PaNoSpooBo track.

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    1. Good luck with NaNoWriMo, Kit! And do tell what PaNoSpooBo means? I like it!

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  8. I'm a PiBo gal! (And 12 x 12 of course, although that's not really an acronym now that I think about it...)

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    1. Me too, Julie! Its really exciting to be starting PiBoIdMo and also be looking at the near conclusion of 12x12. You and Tara have made this year amazing!

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  9. This will be my first year participating in PiBoIdMo while taking a class at the picture book academy. November is basically going to be dedicated to picture books!

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    1. Yay! We are glad to have you back with the PBs. :) Enjoy it. And have fun with Mira. She's the best!

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  10. PiBoIdMo (I say it with the flat i too!) and NaNoWriMo though I'm combining four books for the 50,000 word count...a few easy readers and few chapter books. That still counts, right? I'm excited about both...gonna have to but up a few badges on my blog soon!

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  11. PiBoIdMo -- my second year as an "official" participant. So excited!

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