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Nancy

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1 reviews

Review for National Novel Writing Month, Berkeley, CA, USA

Rating: 5 stars  

Nanowrimo saved my life. Well, maybe not exactly, but possibly.

I am a college educator with a professional doctoral degree and a PhD, which I just completed several years ago. Completing the thesis was a huge task, but when it was over, I found myself depressed. Nanowrimo arrived at the right time. A story that I had been wanting to write for several years came to the surface and I spent one month in November 2008 bringing it to life. The support that I gained through the website and the encouragement and detailed deadline were fantastic. The satisfaction I gained from "winning" Nano in 2008 and again in 2010 have far surpassed anything else I've done in my life.

I recommend Nanowrimo to everyone I meet, if they have any inkling of wanting to be writers. It is a doable task with a specific goal. It isn't easy, but it certainly isn't out of reach, even for a mom, full-time teacher, and wife. My family understands that this is important to me and are fully supportive. I think they appreciate the sanity that comes from doing it.

I wish they had Nanowrimo when I was a kid, as I can't imagine the satisfaction of doing something like this as a teenager or younger. I have "written" all my life, but it wasn't until Nano that I was able to complete a full novel.

I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...

Completing Nano leaves me feeling successful, not depressed, and ready to tackle the next thing. Even if I never publish my novels, I know that I have written them and it is up to me to revise them as much as I want. I am a much happier person in all my aspects of life, since I've discovered Nanowrimo. Thank you.

If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...

Advertise it more, get the word out even more. Maybe think about having a "night of writing dangerously" on the East coast, or at least encourage people to do their own. I don't think I would change anything at all with the way it is run otherwise.

How would you describe the help you got from this organization?

Life-changing

How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?

Definitely

How do you feel you were treated by this organization?

Very Well

How did you find this group?

I wish I could remember.

Role:  Client Served & Wrote 2 50,000 plus word novels.