WIRED Staff
Culture

Slideshow: Stop Dawdling, Get Scribbling

As National Novel Writing Month enters its sixth year, 60,000 aspiring authors will try to bang out entire novels in less than 30 days. It's fun, it's online and it has launched several careers. By Kathleen Craig.
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Participants get motivated at the NaNoWriMo Bay Area Kickoff Party.

See related story: Stop Dawdling, Get Scribbling

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Time Off for Good Behavior

, during the 2002 NaNoWriMo challenge, and ended up with a two-book deal with Warner and a RITA for Best First Book. Asked about results most writers only dream about, Rich said, "I had no idea how truly lucky I was."
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Ex and the Single Girl

, due this month from Warner 5 Spot, wasn't written during the challenge, Rich is committed to writing at least one book a year during the challenge. "I've actually got a deadline schedule built around NaNo -- I can write the chick lit novels every November, and then do the romantic comedies every spring."
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Writers are focused on the goal: a 50,000-word novel. The NaNoWriMo Bay Area Kickoff Party was held at the Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco on Oct. 20, 2005.
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NaNoWriMo director Chris Baty speaks at the Bay Area Kickoff Party in San Francisco.