Image Credit: Camp NaNoWriMo
I was inspired to write this post from my friend Madi Grace!
Here are the links to her Camp NaNoWriMo 2017 recaps:
Here are the links to my posts where I mentioned Camp NaNoWriMo, and announced my decision to participate for the very first time:
- Getting Personal #111: Camp NaNoWriMo
- Getting Personal #112: March Goals Recap
- Getting Personal #113: April Goals
- Getting Personal #118: April Goals Recap
As a reminder / refresher, my goal for Camp NaNoWriMo was to write 20,000 additional words for my 2012 NaNoWriMo endeavor / attempt, tentatively titled, “Experiences from Camp.”
Synopsis:
Kristin, a teenager from Kansas, has heard of this experience called “Camp” in Maine. However, everyone who has gone there can’t accurately describe their experiences – Just a lot of mystery, suspense, some thrills, and a lot of chills. When she’s selected to go, she’s excited to meet Brennan, and see “camp” for herself. From the start, Kristin doesn’t get what she’s bargained for, and her excitement turns to absolute terror.
Previous Stats
March 27th
- Current word count: 11,216 words
March 31st
- Added 2,025 new words between March 29th and March 30th.
- Current word count: 13,241 words.
And now, here’s how I did!
Day 1
Today: 785
Total: 785
Not a bad start!
—
Day 2
Today: 0
Total: 785
There were several days throughout the month where I wrote absolutely zero words!
It was frustrating to not have written anything on Day 2, but I persisted.
—
Day 3
Today: 602
Total: 1,387
More progress!
—
Day 4
Today: 892
Total: 2,279
This was my highest word count so far.
I felt like I was on a roll!
—
Day 5
Today: 0
Total: 2,279
This was the start of a days-long slump where I just did not make any time to write.
—
Day 6
Today: 0
Total: 2,279
Again, little to no time was carved out to write.
—
Day 7
Today: 0
Total: 2,279
Day 7 was the start of the first weekend of the month, and we were so slammed that I came home utterly exhausted.
—
Day 8
Today: 0
Total: 2,279
Day 8 was also part of the weekend.
But, I was bound and determined to break out of this slump!
—
Day 9
Today: 983
Total: 3,262
That’s more like it!
This was my highest word count since camp started.
I was rejoicing!
—
Day 10
Today: 329
Total: 3,591
I started to notice that if I wrote a high number of words one day, then the very next day, my word count was typically lower.
Oh well, at least I added words!
—
Day 11
Today: 1,198
Total: 4,789
Holy moly! I knocked the daily word count (667) out of the park!
This was my highest word count of camp at this point.
The only way to go is up!
—
Day 12
Today: 0
Total: 4,789
Day 12 was shortly after my family started experiencing a big crisis.
So, I’m not surprised that I didn’t write much on this day.
—
Day 13
Today: 667
Total: 5,456
Nailed the daily word count, down to an exact science!
—
Day 14
Today: 0
Total: 5,456
Another weekend day – No progress.
—
Day 15
Today: 1,530
Total: 6,986
After a rough day, this was the highest word count of camp at this point.
My high scores, so to speak, were increasing!
—
Day 16
Today: 0
Total: 6,986
Utter exhaustion again.
—
Day 17
Today: 435
Total: 7,421
Much better!
—
Day 18
Today: 1,006
Total: 8,427
Even better than the day before!
Inching closer to the halfway mark!
—
Day 19
Today: 0
Total: 8,427
Another rough day.
—
Day 20
Today: 820
Total: 9,247
I was thrilled that I exceeded the daily word count.
Just inches away from the halfway point.
—
Day 21
Today: 455
Total: 9,702
Word by word, I felt happy that I was getting closer to the 10,000 word mark.
—
Day 22
Today: 660
Total: 10,362
Hallelujah!
I crossed the 50 percent mark today.
Cue the happy dance!
—
Day 23
Today: 635
Total: 10,997
As the numbers increase, I’m hoping that I can actually succeed with my goal!
—
Day 24
Today: 795
Total: 11,792
The word count today was better than yesterday.
I’ll take it!
—
Day 25
Today: 0
Total: 11,792
Another weird day.
Feeling a bit stagnant, and unsure.
—
Day 26
Total: 1,080
Today: 12,872
In spite of the ongoing family crisis, I felt really good with today’s results!
—
Day 27
Total: 1,230
Today: 14,102
Amazingly, I exceeded yesterday’s word count.
I also took the day off from work, I needed a decompression day. The family crisis turned into mourning. My family lost three uncles within two weeks of each other.
But, I’m very pleased with my progress!
—
Day 28
Total: 3,051
Today: 17,153
It’s amazing what can happen when your husband takes a long nap in the afternoon.
This word count absolutely crushed all the other high scores.
I was on cloud nine!
Plus, the finish line was in sight.
—
Day 29
Today: 1,063
Total: 18,216
Inching closer and closer.
I really felt the pressure today!
—
Day 30
Today: 2,040
Total: 20,256
Oh, my goodness. I DID IT!!!!
I REALLY DID IT!
I exceeded my goal for my first-ever Camp NaNoWriMo!!!!
Current word count: 33,507 words.
Image Credit: Camp NaNoWriMo
Final Thoughts
Wow. I’m stunned. Astonished. And thrilled!
I was immensely apprehensive about signing up for Camp NaNoWriMo, especially since I didn’t participate in “regular” NaNoWriMo in 2015, 2016, or 2017.
But, through the encouragement of Madi, and several other friends, I decided to take the plunge.
I felt 20,000 new words for this novel was a very lofty goal, but I was very pleased that I not only met it, but I beat it by 256 words. It’s so inspirational!
I loved the camp environment and atmosphere. It was like a virtual writer’s retreat for a whole month! Also, you had the option of being placed in a “cabin,” so you could meet and interact with other writers! We had several lively discussions and cheering sessions in my cabin. So much fun!
I cannot wait for the next Camp NaNoWriMo in July. Bring it on!!
Have you done NaNoWriMo in November before?
Have you done Camp NaNoWriMo before?
Let me know what you think!
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
Hot Shot Headlines 
I am so proud of you! It’s great that you’ve come so far with your novel. I need to get back to mine. I’ve just had so many ideas running through my head, and I have all kinds of writing projects started, and I’ve kind of neglected my novel, but I always try to remind myself of some advice I heard from Stephen King “To be a good writer you must write a lot and read a lot.” That’s it. So I guess as long as I’m writing and reading, I’m doing okay! 🙂 I have never participated in NaNoWriMo. I’m afraid it will end up stressing me out if I put pressure on myself to write so much in such a short time, but it also looks like a lot of fun, so I’ve been torn. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Thank you so much! Your words are so supportive and encouraging!
I love that quote from Stephen King! It’s one of my mantras, so to speak,
I totally understand where you are coming from. I first felt that way when debating to sign up in 2012, but I pushed the fear aside and took the plunge. For me, it’s an excellent motivator! The experiences I’ve had have been great. I’m definitely doing Camp again in July, and I’m seriously considering doing it in November for the first time in several years. I can’t wait to see more of what you’re writing!!
Well done!
Thank you so much!
I am soooo glad you did Camp NaNo! You made such amazing progress, and congratulations on not only winning, but exceeding your goal! YAY!!
Thank you for being my inspiration. I finally feel like I’ve nailed down a lot of the details, and the dialogue. I’m hoping to finish it and get it edited by the end of the year!
Awww, that means so much! I hope you can get it finished by the end of the year, too. It’s sure to be awesome!
Thank you so much. Your encouragement means the world to me.