French Cloche Cap Writing Totem for NaNoWriMo 2013

NaNoWriMo founder, Chris Baty, defines a “Writing Totem” as “wearable, writing-enhancing objects…helps you transition…into the fictional realms you’ve created” and demonstrates that writing 50K words in 30 days “is a fun, somewhat ridiculous creative exercise.” It also “provides a visual cue to anyone you’re living with…that you’ve slipped away into the shadowy Realm of the novel.” (No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty)

My art teacher taught me how to loom knit in January.  From translucent, dilapidated socks, I’ve evolved into a competent knitter—creating over 20 hats per month for the USO and for holiday, hostess, birthday and Get Well gifts—all preparing me for the all important search for the optimal writing totem for November’s National Novel Writing Month.

I positively froze in the design process trying to create something so crucial to the writing process.  Then I decided that an old, worn, comfy, light, and stylish favorite would serve.  In the early days of my knitting when I had not yet learned how to make a brim, I used the largest circular loom I could find and a half skein of spice homespun yarn—rich consistent shades of burnt orange, light orange, and white.  The brim rolled slightly up and with the exuberance of a novice, I knit too many rows.  It hung past my eyebrows, creating the perfect cloche hat.  The perfect NaNoWriMo totem.

For eight years, I’ve written a novel every November and facilitated a cohort of like-minded fanatics. I like having travel companions for shared griping, celebrating, and friendly competition to spur us each to glory.  As Chris Baty (founder of NaNoWriMo in 1999 and author of No Plot? No Problem!) wrote:

“The goal, ultimately, is to move your novel from the realm of private suffering to a matter of public record.”

50,000 words in 30 days.  For these 30 days, I’ll send out a few words of encouragement and the current tally of words for each member.  It’s almost a rule that you start November 1st with a fresh idea, a token stab at a few characters, and the barest outline possible.  See the website and/or Baty’s book for more information.

Who would like to join me?  I guarantee a rollercoaster experience.  For the mighty ones who finish?  A glorious euphoria like no other.  As added incentive, you then can say at holiday parties: “Me?  I wrote a novel in November.  What’s new with you?”

Please let me know by October 25.