One Month Novel-Writing Challenge: Camp NaNoWriMo

I've participated in NaNoWriMo's 30-day novel-writing challenge for 3 three years now.  Every November it's a madcap sprint of words to reach the lofty goal of writing a 50,000 word rough draft in a month's time.

This summer NaNoWriMo introduces Camp NaNoWriMo.  While this is not a literal camp with cabins, critters, and a lake, creating a virtual camp atmosphere might make it more interesting.  Taking the laptop out to the deck and sitting under the lofty pines to write might just be the most inspirational writing setting available.  Even if it's a bedsheet tent in the livingroom, it's all a perfectly legitimate camp experience as far as the writers are concerned.

Interested?  This camp costs absolutely nothing, unless you want to donate a little to the organization, and boasts forums and other ways to support your noveling efforts.  November NaNo includes events such as write-ins.  If you are local, your local NaNo Municipal Liason may host such events for the summer.  Even so, the NaNoWriMo forums have ample opportunity for socialization, help with burning questions about plot, setting, character development, etc..  Consider signing up!

Giant Bulletin Board

I made this enormous 12 square foot bulletin board for my story notes.  I used a piece of hard foam insulation, cut to size as the base of the board.  The insulation is rigid, cheap, and will accommodate all of the poke holes that I put into it fairly well.  It would be possible to cover the board with a sheet of cork but I decided to cover it with a large piece of fabric instead.  The fabric was pulled tight and taped to the back using duct tape.

Then I mounted the board, which is extremely light, with two long screws.  Because it is so light and rigid, two screws is all it took.  I slid pieces of hard plastic straws, cut to the depth of the board into holes that I drilled.  Then I added the screws that fit into the straws and were long enough to go into the wall stud.  The straws and the large washers I used prevent the screw heads from from sinking into the foam.



Notes are hung using straight pins rather than pushpins.  Not only are they easier to use but they create smaller holes, extending the life of my foam base.  Although I am using plain steel pins, color-tipped straight pins can be used (or these heads can be dipped into paint) for those who like to color-code their pins and/or notes.

Because the pins stick out from the surface of the board, I can also use thread or ribbon to connect notes into storylines so I can see the various routes taken by my characters and how they intersect on my story map.

I intend to cover the edges of the board and screw heads with some framing material.  However, a different choice of fabric and the deliberate appearance of screws (maybe shorter "dummy screws that don't go through into the wall scattered around the edges) can give this board an industrial look.