It's November. Are You In On NaBloPoMo or NaNoWriMo?

I'm a veteran of National Novel Writers Month (AKA: NaNoWriMo) where I've won it 4 times over the years. This means I actually managed to write a 50,000+ word novel between November 1st and 11:59 PM on November 30.

It's not for the faint of heart, and it's a huge commitment. It's also a blast, a way to add a social element to the solitary art of writing, and the best way to duct tape the mouth of your inner critic and just get in the zone and write, write and write more. There are prizes and prompts to encourage. And cities and regions have groups that meet up in person to write together. I highly recommend it for anyone who has a great american novel bumping around in their brains and always back burners it for life, paid work, fear or family. Check it out here. There's still more than plenty of time to join up. We're busy but seriously considering giving it another go for 2015.

Alternately, we know loads of blogger friends rocking NaBloPoMo this month with BlogHer. Here at ChiIL Mama we're in on that for sure. Whether you're a newbie or a veteran blogger like me, who has been blogging since 2009, NaBloPoMo will have you jumping in the puddle with both feet and making a splash. The challenge is to blog daily November 1-30th. Follow along with us and hundreds of others via Facebook and Twitter at the hashtag #NaBloPoMo. It's also a fun, social event with prizes and prompts. See you out there. Write ON!!

HELP OUT: NaNoWriMo's Young Writers Program Doubles Donations THIS Tuesday 6/17

Here at ChiIL Mama we're huge fans of Nanowrimo and The Young Writers Program. The kids and I have written novels with them in November for years!  National Novel Writers Month is a creative, inspiring frenzy and they get kids and adults stoked to write!  We can vouch for these guys personally. They're the real deal.

Check out their Stories of Tomorrow campaign and help out if you can. They're trying to raise $50,000 by June 23 to rebuild their Young Writers Program website, and to support the future of creative writing for all of us.

As of this writing, they’re at about $14,000—more than a quarter of the way to their goal. To get even closer, they’re planning a fully charged, all-hands-on-deck 24 hours of donation madness.

Here's the scoop right from 

Chris Angotti, Director of Programs:

Epic. Giving. Day. (Please imagine the name read by a booming voice from the skies.)

This Tuesday, June 17, we challenge you to help us raise $10,000 more. Here’s why we have to make it happen:

Author Scott Westerfeld is offering his own $10,000 as a matching donation for the campaign. He’s currently prepping for the release of his NaNo-themed novel Afterworlds, and he pledged this amazing support specifically to our young writers.

So, any dollar you donate is instantly doubled:

• Got $50? Think of it as $100.
• Got $25? Think of it as $50.
• Got $10? Think of it as $20.
• (Note: This isn't allowed for your November word count.)

Plus, donating on Epic Giving Day gets you another bonus. In addition to your usual thank-you gifts, we’ll give away prizes—like a Kindle Fire; signed NaNo-novels; and writing software from Scrivener, Storyist, and Aeon Timeline—all day on Twitter. (See the full list of prizes on the campaign page.) And to be eligible, all you have to do is give.

Why contribute? We'll let über-donor Scott Westerfeld tell you:

We all want to see the novel flourish in the future, right? We want young people to understand the form, to embrace its history and its future, and to continue the mad practice of creating these absurdly long, imperfect strings of text.

We all want this.

So click here to read more about the YWP and to donate. Then tell your friends to do the same.

Please support us on Epic Giving Day. It’s only 24 hours, but it means the world to our future.

P.S. If you can’t donate monetarily, consider giving some epic energy toward plugging the campaign on social media. That helps, too!

#NaBloPoMo VS. #NaNoWriMo 1/3 Of The Way

"Mom, is there really such a thing as noblahpomo... nanoblogmo... nablomomoh?"  my son had the audacity to ask.   "I think you made it up so you can keep on writing on your blog every day instead of doing NaNoWriMo and writing another novel with us!"

photo credit BlogHer.com

I reassured him, NaBloPoMo is indeed a thing.  And I'm doin' it.   I showed him the logo and everything.   









That said, I'm quite proud my kids are now in their 5th year of NaNoWriMo Young Writers.   They've been rockin' out on their new novel collaboration and are aiming for an impressive goal of writing 13,333 words this month! 









They've got numerous cool logos for Young Writers Program, tee shirts, buttons, stickers and a rockin' support site.   They even get cool on line pep talks from sweet authors.   My son's just been reading The Candymakers, so he was extra jazzed to see a pep talk by author Wendy Mass.

NaBloPoMo

Despite a busy busy month, and a vicious bout of the flu that had my daughter throwing up TEN times last night and today....we're all making daily writing a reality.   

NaBloPoMo gives optional but pretty cool writing prompts.   Check 'em out.   I'm doing photo and video filled features on a daily basis, but  

I answered all the questions through Monday 11/5 here, too.

Here's the next round of questions and my answers:

Tuesday, November 6, 2012
If you were President of the United States, what would be your first act in office?

I'd make it mandatory for everyone who wants to serve in a political office to have to take one month of "enlightenment training" before they could start.   This would involve community service, living on the wages (or lack thereof) of the poorest of their constituents, and spending time sharing meals with families of all races, income levels, sexual orientations and demographics they would be representing. 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Talk about the last compliment you received.

"You're the best mom ever." my daughter said this afternoon while she lay in my lap after throwing up all night and most of the day.  I would have given anything to spare her the pain, but it was so sweet and gratifying to be able to just slow down and hold her for so many hours....without a schedule or agenda.    We built a fire in the wood stove, watched movies and cuddled.   

Sure, missing a night's sleep, dumping bowls of puke and washing load after load of sheets from where she overshot the "pukey bowl" is one of the less glamourous, least fun sides of motherhood....but I'll treasure and remember those sweet words in a few short years, when she's a snarky teenager.

Thursday, November 8, 2012
If you could have any job (and instantly have the training and qualifications to do it), which job would you want?

I'd love to be a well paid photographer/ videographer.   As much as I love writing, I reeeeally dig shooting shows and interviewing people.   The visual aspects appeal to me and sometimes, cliche as it is....a picture IS worth a thousand words. 

Friday, November 9, 2012
If you could change one thing about your life right now, what would it be?

I'd like to master the art of cloning so I could be with my kids and husband, cover all the simultaneous events in Chicago I'd love to be at, blog/write/edit more hours in the day and still get plenty of sleep/yoga/massage & hot tub time!!

Want to plan ahead or play along?   Here are the rest of November's prompts:

Monday, November 12, 2012

Where is your favourite place to blog?

Tuesday, November 13, 2012
What is the bravest thing you've ever done?

Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tell us about the best meal you ever cooked.

Thursday, November 15, 2012
Tell us about your favourite pet.

Friday, November 16, 2012
Would you buy your dream house if the price was right BUT you also were told it was inhabited by ghosts?

Monday, November 19, 2012
If you had to get locked in some place (book store, amusement park, etc) overnight alone, where would you choose to be locked in?

Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Talk about the opening of your favourite book.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Where is your favourite place to read?

Thursday, November 22, 2012
When was the last time that you cried?  Why?

Friday, November 23, 2012
What is the hardest word for you to say?

Monday, November 26, 2012
Do you speak more than one language?  How did you learn the additional languages?

Tuesday, November 27, 2012
If you could instantly know any language in the world, which one would it be?

Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tell us about the worst trip you ever took.

Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tell us about three new blogs you found this year.

Friday, November 30, 2012
What has been the hardest part about blogging daily?

NaNoWriMo or NaBloPoMo That Is The Question

Hello--It's NaBloPoMo number #1103 here, AKA:   ChiIL Mama.   I'm still on a quest to find as many worthy reasons to get outta laundry and dishes duty as possible!   Blog much?   Are there chirping crickets in your corner of the blogosphere?  Get in the soup.   November's a great month to jump start your writing and make it a habit to write a least something daily.

After a little bit of waffling, I'm in. I've done NaNoWriMo --National Novel Writers month, in November for 4 years and managed to successfully write a 50,000+ novel from start to finish during the 30 days of November!!! 

That said, it's crazy HARD to do with a family, freelance career and loads of blog work. This year I'm still toying with the idea of doing it again, but my blogging has become a full time job and 50,000 word in 30 days is a crazy lotta writing.

My 9 & 11 year old kids are still teaming up to do the youth version of NaNoWriMo--Young Writers Program again this year.  This will be Sagezilla's 3rd year and Du-Jay's 4th.  It's not too late to catch that train.   If you or your kids are up for a creative, crazy fun challenge this month, check it out here.  They don't have to climb that 50,000 word mountain to win.   There's an age appropriate word count guide range right on the site.   As a mom, I LOVE to see my kids excited about writing and the stories they've collaborated on have been hilarious and super creative.

Sooooo, for now I'm going for BlogHer's NaBloPoMo, so I don't have to quit cold turkey. I pretty muchly blog daily as it is, between my main blogs at ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Live Shows and my other two at Dugsound.com and ChiIL Travel Kids. I'll commit to post every day at ChiIL Mama. So check in like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often. Soups on!!

NaBloPoMo BlogHer Prompts

If you're participating in NaBloPoMo in November -- or even if you're not! -- here are some prompts to get you going. Writing prompts are posted at the beginning of the month so you can plan ahead, Monday to Friday (weekends are for free-writing!)

Thursday, November 1, 2012
Tell us your favourite quotation and why.

I have a ton of favorite quotations from theatre greats, women, feminists, and humor writers.   Still, here's my fav if I had to pick just one.   

"Prevent perfection, prefer a perceptive perspective."   

I hope it doesn't sound too arrogant that it's one I wrote, but it sums up my parenting and life philosophy, it's catchy, and really sinks in the more you think about it.    So much stress, anger and craziness result from people trying to be perfect, expecting perfection from others, and beating themselves up for falling short.   Human beings are messy, complex, creative beings who learn more from our mistakes than our successes.   If you live life from a perceptive perspective, considering intent along with action, factoring in compassion, and using your mind, heart and intuition versus rigid rules set in stone, you'll be healthier and happier.

Friday, November 2, 2012
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Chicago is my kind of town, without a shadow of a doubt.

Monday, November 5, 2012
What are your thoughts about tomorrow's election in the United States?

Frankly, I'm a bit freaked out at the racist, misogynistic, backward, hateful,  right wing talk that seems to be completely socially acceptable.   I always expect more intelligence and compassion from Americans and am surprised and disappointed at the selfishness and hypocrisy.  This has been the nastiest presidential race I can remember, with the candidates radically different on so many levels.   

Nanowrimo 2011 Is Officially Over And NaBloPoMo Begins Again

Woo hoo for Sagezilla and Du-Jay who collaborated on a novel for Nanowrimo's youth division and not only won, but far surpassed their initial age appropriate word count goal!   This is their 3rd collaboration and I'm so proud of them.    

It was a bittersweet year for me.   After 4 wins in a row, I began another novel in my rune series and quickly realized that my blog commitments, freelance, the kids, and my daily work load would prevent me from also finishing 50,000 words in 30 days this year.    So, I changed over to NaBloPoMo at BlogHer, also a writing based, noble challenge, but much more attainable this year.   As opposed to NaNoWriMo (national novel writers month) this one is (national blog posting month) I've agreed to post daily throughout November and am in again for December, too.    That's going much better than my poor novel that's been back burnered to simmer for a while.

I've not only posted daily, but finished November with a whopping SIXTY SIX blog posts at ChiIL Mama.com.   All posts are listed chronologically, by month and alphabetically, by key words, at the bottom of the blog.

So here's to another round of NaBloPoMo in December.   Let the games begin.

It's NaNoWriMo Time Again

November 1st means brave and crazy writers all over the world are banging away today, and all getting started on writing 50,000 word novels.   The catch...the novels can't be started before today and have to be finished by midnight on November 30th!


Yes, it's National Novel Writers Month or NaNoWriMo for those in the know!    I've finished four 50,000+ word novels, 4 years in a row, and am aiming for a 5th this year.    So, I'll be pulling back a bit on the blog for the month.    But just a nudge.   We'll still have upcoming events, lots of great give aways, reviews, and photo and video filled recaps.   But, I've also got a plot to hatch.


If you're an aspiring, past or future novelist, it's not too late to join up and do NaNoWriMo 2011.   Dive right in and join us.    It's an inspiring, fun website and there's a highly active local ChiWriMo group, hosting write in's and special events all month.    Check out NaNoWriMo's official web site here, but give it a day or two.   They sometimes crash right at the get go, with all the zealous energy and overload of hits.


There's a youth version for kids 5-18 who want to write a novel but aren't quite up for the whole enchilada.   There are reasonable word goal guidelines for every age, and my kids, Du-Jay and Sagezilla have co-written their own novels the past 3 years during November, right along with me!    


If your inner critic gets in the way...If your creative writing takes a back burner to everything else in your life...If your finger has an addiction to the delete button.    Then NaNoWriMo is the contest for YOU, because there's just not time for those editors in your head to make demands.   You've got a major deadline to meet!   It's free to enter, although donations and merch purchases are encouraged.    We enthusiastically recommend giving it a try!

NaNoWriMo November

It's that time of year again, when thousands of brave, crazy writers hunker down and create entire novels from scratch, over an all too short 30 day period!   This will be my 4th year, Du-Jay's 3rd, and Sagezilla's 2nd.   Nano writers from around the world, convene every November in cyberspace and in actual space in bars, coffee houses, book stores, homes and libraries.   


The personalities and topics are far flung and varied, but everyone has vowed to drop all the non essentials for four weeks and write.   I've met so many people over my lifetime, who once had dreams of being writers, or have their own "great American novel" bumping around in their brains.   Somehow, education, careers, child rearing and life get in the way, and so many of those dreamers never get started.   Sure, writing something 50,000 words long sounds daunting, especially if you're normally too busy to get everything done in a day.   That's the pure genius of NaNoWriMo.


The time frame is too short for the inner critic to rear her snarky head and edit. And it's short enough for families and friends to be good sports about living without your every waking moment.   If you're lucky, you'll emerge from the zone on December 1st with a brand spankin' new novel ready to edit and hone, and a family who's stopped taking you for granted and will appreciate all you do for them more than ever.


Give the site a few days to simmer down, since they're experiencing heavy traffic right now and are running slow.   Then check it out.   Nanowrimo has become as much a part of November as elections and Thanksgiving, and more fun than either.


I'll still be running Win-A-Disc-Wednesday and updating ChiIL Mama and ChiIL Out as time allows.   But the bulk of November belongs to my 4th novel!

What is NaNoWriMo?

According to their creative and very active web site:

National Novel Writing Month happens every November!

It is a fun, seat-of-your-pants novel writing event where the challenge is to write an entire novel in just 30 days. That means participants begin writing November 1 and must finish by midnight, November 30. The word-count goal for our adult program is 50,000 words, but our Young Writers Program allows participants who are 17 years old and younger to set reasonable, yet challenging, word-count goals.

The thing that matters most in NaNoWriMo is output. Our high-velocity approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.

Make no mistake: you will be writing a lot of strange stuff, and some of it will be just plain bad. But that's a good thing! For 30 days, you get to lock that inner editor in the basement, let your imagination take over, and just create!

As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants of all ages are going through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel.

In 2009, 167,000 adults participated through our main site, and 35,000 young writers participated through our Young Writers Program.

ChiILoween II: Thurs/Fri Recap and The Best of Halloween Weekend

Thursday we were off to a great Halloween weekend start with a school Fall Festival.   For our readers around the world, here's what Halloween traditions look like in Chicago.


Friday was teacher training day, so we got a timely 3 day weekend.   We devoured free IHOP scary face pancakes and enjoyed The Chicago International Children's film festival.   The Moomins in 3D from Finland was a highlight.   Then we got to meet the star of El Tux who flew in from L.A. for the fest.

- 7 min - Jul 12, 2009 - Uploaded by Serpaco1 2007 HBO/NYLIFF Short Film Winner - Written & Directed by Paco Farias A charming tale about a teen who is given a very special tuxedo www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt9QcaWzzeo

We've blogged about the 27th annual Chicago International Childrens Film Festival quite a bit during the past month.   There's still time to give your little monsters THE WORLD.   With over 200 films from 40 countries, this is a fabulous resource and a fest well worth making time for amid all the Halloween hoopla.   Check out their web site for handy age suggestion guides that range from movies for toddlers to teens.   We'll review our favorites later in the week, but catch 'em while you can.

Friday night we got our costumes on and rocked out ChiILoween style with the 7th annual Logan Square kids parade.   Then we checked out the free haunted police station at the 14th precinct.   Man cops can be scary.   Not for the faint of heart.   Both of our kids freaked out and closed their eyes through the whole thing and even the tween girls behind us were screaming their heads off and clutching onto my fleece--and we'd never met them.    Sagezilla had to be carried through with her head buried in her Dad's neck!    It's fabulous free fun for bigger kids and those not easily wigged out, but keep the littles at home!   

The Chicago International Children's Film Festival takes place from Oct 22nd through Oct 31st this year and presents the finest in international film for children and their families.

Films are screening conveniently at locations throughout Chicago: Facets Cinema in Lincoln Park; Regal Cinemas City North Stadium 14; Bank of America Cinema; University of Chicago's DOC Films (Max Palevsky Cinema, Ida Noyes Hall); Illinois Institute of Technology (Hermann Hall, McCormick Auditorium); Center on Halsted (Hoover-Leppen Theatre); and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

The Festival provides Chicagoans with the opportunity to see the best in world cinema made for a younger audience.  This year, the Festival is featuring the largest number of films in its history, with 270 films from more than 40 countries, including 90 world premieres. "This year the Festival received a record number of entries, and the quality and diversity of the films exceeded all expectations," explained Ann Vikstrom, Programming Director of the Festival.  "We are thrilled to present works representing the best in international children's films as Chicago premieres.  The Festival is a wonderful way for children to learn about other cultures, experience diverse viewpoints, and discover the art of cinema from around the globe," said Nancy Goldenberg, Director of Children's Programs.

This year, more than 100 film directors, producers, and other industry professionals will attend the Festival. While here, they will teach workshops, attend screenings and host Q & A sessions after their films.

The Chicago International Children's Film Festival is the largest and oldest film festival for children in North America.  It is the only children's film festival in the world to be designated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Academy Award qualifying festival.

Admission to the Festival is $6 for children; $9 for adults. Festival schedule and ticket information is available by calling (773) 281-9075 or online at www.facets.org/kids


Saturday:  We highly recommend going to The Nature Museum at 1:00pm to see Light of the River and meet the director.

Meet animated film director Tetsuo Hirakawa!

This year we will be honored by the presence of noted animated film director Tetsuo Hirakawa, who will speak to audiences after the presentation of his animated film, Light of the River.

 

 

Light of the River Saturday, October 30, 1:00pm Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 North Cannon Drive Light of the River (Chicago premiere) is a lovely animated film about a unique family of rats which sets out on a long journey to find a safe place to call home. Forced out of their peaceful riverbank by construction, the country rat family encounters many challenges - and kindnesses from new city animal friends.  Told through gorgeous animation, Light of the River celebrates the splendor of untouched nature, the freedom of embracing new challenges, and the joy of discovering kindred spirits.

Light of the River was first broadcast in Japan in June of 2009, as part of the NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) environmental campaign "Save the Future." It is the directorial debut of Tetsuo Hirakawa, a former member of the Tokyo animation studio Madhouse, who previously did key animation and in-between animation for productions including The Animatrix (2006), Atashin'chi (2006), The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2006),Crayon Shin-chan: Sanpun Pokkiri Daishingeki (2006), One Piece: Omatsuri Danshaku To Himitsu No Shima (2006), Crayon Shin-chan: Densetsu Wo Yobu Odore! Amigo! (2006), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006), Summer Days with Coo (2007), Nodame Cantabile (2006), and Detroit Metal City (2008).  

NANOWRIMO  And so it begins again.....   This will by my 4th Nanowrimo in a row, Du-Jay's 3rd, and Sagezilla's 2nd.    The crazy, hard challenge is to write an entire 50,000 word novel between  November 1st and 30th!    The youth version just requires an age appropriate, but still challenging, word count and suggestions by age are on the site.

It's loads of fun, with participants around the world, an active on line site, and numerous local write ins and meet ups.    I'll still be running win a disc Wednesday and popping in with updates, but the blogging and freelance writing will take a back seat for the month.   As a busy writer and Mom to two young kids, it's the only way my novel writing ever moves forward.   The kids' needs always take precidence, then by the time food, dishes, laundry and everything else get done, my poor novels are starved for a few minutes of my time.    Once a year they get the lion's share of my divided attention.

I'm working on a mystery series and the 4th book will be particularly fun, as it's set in Sweden.    No more secrets or plot spoilers.   I'm hoping to edit, and shop around all 4 finished novels later this year.    I've always wanted to be JK Rowling or Corneila Funke "when I grow up".    So nanowrimo here we come.   Saturday's kick off party is at Dave and Busters on Clark Street in Chicago from 12-2.    Non Nano friends and family are welcome, too, but RSVPs are required.   Check in on the Nanowrimo Site for more info.    If you are participating in the Chicago area, be sure to visit the forums, and choose Chicago as your region and local group.




HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:


1.  Frankenplaza downtown

Franken Plaza (Daley Plaza) This Halloween, Daley Plaza becomes Franken Plaza for three days, October 29-31, with special performances, a Monster Bash - complete with prize give-aways, hayrides and trick-or-treating! Lucky number 13 strikes again! Thirteen performers from Chicago's very own Midnight Circus perform at the 13th annual Chicagoween celebration. Watch as Midnight Circus defies gravity and amazes audiences of all ages with heart-stopping feats of acrobatics & spooktacular theatrics! On Saturday, October 30th, don’t miss the Monster Bash complete with a costume contest and treats. Visitors to Daley Plaza are witness to its transformation into Franken Plaza where both kids and adults can take part in arts & crafts and see performances that will thrill. Jeanne Sparrow and Melissa Forman of WCIU will be our costume showcase and contest emcees for the Franken Plaza Monster Bash.  The showcase and contest will take place from 11am to 1pm. It's all FREE. 2.  Chicago Cultural Center

Hallowed Halls The Chicago Cultural Center is transformed into a spooky, magical destination for Halloween fun. Come in costume and join Dream Big Performing Arts Workshop for family-friendly hands-on activities, drama workshops and games.  Enjoy a special performance of Child’s Play Touring Theatre’s One Monster after Another, plus giveaways and more. Activities recommended for children ages 6-12. Pre-registration is not required. All young participants must be accompanied by an adult. Mask and Costume-making 10 am – 12:30 pm Add the finishing touch to your Halloween costume with help from Dream Big Performing Arts Workshop. Drama Workshops and Theater Games 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Create your own scary story, bring a favorite Halloween tale to life, and participate in fun and spooky theater games with teachers from Dream Big Performing Arts Workshop. Performance: One Monster after Another 12:30 – 1:15 pm Join Child's Play Touring Theatre in this rockin' rendezvous with witches, monsters, ghosts and ghouls. All the thrills and chills of Halloween night are combined with music, mystery, dance and song-- a truly rollicking ride to sweep you along! 3.  Chicago Park District (various locations)

4.  Merchants Trick or Treat in Andersonville, Lincoln Square, (Saturday the 30th) Damen Ave. (Halloween, the 31st)

5.   SATURDAY Busy Beaver Button Company all ages party--bands and buttons--what could be better?   $5 for everyone.   Kids welcome.   Make your own glow in the dark buttons with this Logan Square favorite.   These guys rock!!

Put on your glow-in-the-dark buttons and make your way to the all ages, Halloween rock show on Saturday in Chicago!

The party moved to Pancho’s located at 2200 N. California in Logan Square.  Come at 7PM for bands Pink Torpedo, Loose Dudes, andWhite Mystery as well as your favorite button-making cast.

Of course you’ll have your choice of glow-in-the-dark buttons brought to you by yours truly.  Click here for the Facebook Event!