January is for JanNoWriMo/JaNoWriMo

January is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. A time to make resolutions (and to try to keep them at least until March). But for many, January is also a time for JanNoWriMo (January Novel Writing Month) or JaNoWriMo (January Novel Writing Month - by a another group).

Have you ever wondered if you could write a novel? What about writing one in a month? Both January Novel Writing Month groups write 50,000 word novels during the month. Although each group has some slightly different rules. Both JanNoWriMo and JaNoWriMo are inspired by NaNoWriMo(National Novel Writing Month), the novel writing month which is held in November. During NaNoWriMo participants write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November.

JanNoWriMo allows you to continue to work on an in-progress writing project. You can also set a personal goal for your writing for the month that is lower than, or higher than the suggested 50,000 words. This is great for all types of writers, especially those who are working on a novel-in-progress, or for someone who is a bit intimidated by that 50,000 number. And in case you were wondering, no you can't just write the same sentance over and over again - that's no fair!

To join JanNoWriMo visit http://janno.ymakadomain.com and join the Forums. If you are selecting a personal writing goal below or higher than 50,000 words, you will need to e-mail someone, and that information can be found on the FAQ page at the website. You need to join by January 5^th to participate.

The rules for January Novel Writing Month are fairly simple:

You can start writing at twelve midnight on January 1^st and end on January 31^st at twelve midnight.

The goal is 50,000 words (unless you have set a different goal)

Goals other than 50,000 words need to be sent to Admin for validation

You can work on a work-in-progress, and this includes your NaNoWriMo novel (from November).

January Novel Writing Month can be the perfect time to test the waters if you have been curious about writing a novel. It can also be great if you have a half finished novel sitting around - and you need a good kick in the pants. For many of us January can be a quieter month, as the holidays are just over with and other things may not have started up again. JanNoWriMo can be great for college students who have Intersession break from college - most have several weeks of January off. So this can be an optimal time for many people.

JaNoWriMo rules are similar in most ways, but in some ways a little different. For this group you must write a 50,000 word novel during January. It must be a brand new piece of work for you, not a work-in-progress. However, they do have a terrific rule that if you started a novel in November - you can finish it during January they say "it's still fresh enough", which is just wonderful! To join this group visit http://community.livejournal.com/janowrimo/.

If you complete your goal and send them your address, they will send you a hand-calligraphied certificate of completion.

So what do you have to lose? Only your status as a non-novelist! Get to noveling with JanNoWriMo this January - and by February you can say "I'm a novelist!".