Why You Should Write a Book in June
This month for the A to Z challenge, I’m highlighting twenty-six reasons (alphabetically, of course) why you should write a book in June.
JuNoWriMo is a spinoff of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) that takes place in June, challenging you to write 50,000 words in thirty days. In the past two years, JuNoWriMo has inspired hundreds of writers to get their books written, and I’ve asked a few of them to share their personal stories. Today J. Scott Sharp sums up his experience in one word: Freedom.
Why should you write a book in June? THIS is why.
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F is for Freedom by J. S. Sharp
I was never quite sure that I could finish a novel.
My desire to be a writer had never met up to the work part of it. I just didn’t know how. I had written short stories. I had written parts of novels, but never got very far into it.
Then I ran into JuNoWriMo and participated last year. 50,000 words in 30 days. That was quite a goal for someone who had never produced a novel, and I wanted this one to be a workable novel. Something with which I could shape and mold it to what I wanted it to be.
I didn’t finish…but I learned a lot and it provided me with a freedom that I hadn’t known in writing:
- I learned that there are no real rules to writing. We all write differently. I found out that I need to outline in order to know where I’m going. For someone else, it could be that if they outline they are stifling themselves. There are no rules. Yes, there are things to learn, but there are no rules. Free yourself.
- The more I let myself go, the more I write. 1667 words a day is a bit, especially when you are working and raising children, you know, having a life. But, if you will sit down, and let the writing be fun, let go, the words will come easier and you will enjoy it more. It won’t be just another chore, but something that gives you joy. Let yourself go.
- I found out I could write a book. I didn’t finish because of a couple of things that happened in my life right then. However, I found out that if I were to write 2000 words a day, most days of the week, that added up to 570,000 words a year. That means I can write a book…actually several in a year. That was the freedom that led to me finishing The List of Five and publishing it in December 2013.
The List of Five by J. S. Sharp
I didn’t finish JuNoWriMo last year, but I learned a lot and it has given me more freedom in my writing that I ever expected to find.
I’m definitely going to participate this year.
I have the perfect project.
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It’s Your Turn
JuNoWriMo 2014 is going to be bigger and better than ever, so don’t miss this opportunity to write that book. I dare you to write 50,000 words in June. If you accept my challenge, know that you won’t be in it alone. You’ll be writing alongside hundreds of other authors who are going for the exact same thing, and that’s the best way to write. It’s gonna be stinkin’ awesome.
Oh, and one more thing. JuNoWriMo is having a giveaway right now: sign up and you just might win a prize!
So, are you in?
Sign up for JuNoWriMo now!
JuNoWriMo on Twitter | JuNoWriMo on Facebook
You might also be interested in:
Why You Should JuNoWriMo: Exciting
Why You Should JuNoWriMo: Diversity
Why You Should JuNoWriMo: Community
Stopping by on the 7th day of the #Challenge. Know you are going to make new blogging friends. If you have time or interest, I am writing about gardening and related topics this month. Stop by.
Thanks for visiting, Stepheny. I don’t have much skill in gardening, but I’ll check it out.