March Is Just Around the Corner, and That Means One Thing: National Novel Editing Month

Those who complete the utterly, crazily enjoyable National Novel Writing Month (WriMo) in November likely are already aware of this March follow-up. So, for those who either skipped WriMo last year, or who have otherwise not heard, March of every year is reserved for the editing companion to WriMo. This free contest challenges its participants to complete, and log, at least 50 hours of editing activities on previously written fiction. Most participants use March to begin (or continue) the process of shaping their WriMo output into something that, begins to resemble a coherent, readable work of fiction.

Fifty hours in one month sounds like a daunting total to reach, if not surpass, yet it is not. Spread out over the month, this total will be reached with only 1 hour and 40 minutes of editing activities per day. As with WriMo, there are those who fall short of this total for one reason or another. At the same time others finish well above the fifty hour threshold.

This year, my EdMo efforts will focus on my 2009 WriMo romance novel. To get ready for the editing onslaught that begins next Monday, I have been reading and critiquing what is currently written. So far, I have uncovered enough plot discrepancies, plot holes, dialogue weaknesses and weak or inconsistent descriptions to keep me occupied throughout March. I am not grousing about these discoveries, for this is how a writer learns how to improve her understanding and, ultimately, mastery of the craft.

Last year I took part for the first time, and finished with just over 100 hours for the month. This year, I am planning on logging 120 hours for the month. I am confident I will get there.

For those desiring more information on the National Novel Editing Month, or who are interested in signing up, point your browsers to NaNoEdMo for more details.