NaNoWriMo & NaBloPoMo–Goooooo!

It’s here! It’s here!

It’s November 1 and that means a few things. One of them is a steady stream of people to the local cemetery–All Saints’ Day is widely observed in southern Italy–but let’s talk about happier things.

First, there’s NaNoWriMo, which is short for National Novel Writing Month. It’s more international than national, but it *is* all about writing a novel–or at least 50,000 words throughout the month of November. I’ve been informed that it works out to 1667 words a day, but who’s counting?

Right. I am.

I just may divulge more information about what I’m writing about as the month goes on, so do check back for updates. I guess I could put a little progress bar or something in the sidebar here. Hmm. We’ll see about that.

Next we have NaBloPoMo, or National Blog Posting Month. Again, not strictly national, but all about blog posting–every day in November. So long as my internet connection holds up, I’ll have something new (although I’m not promising “entertaining” or “interesting”) for you to come and read each and every day this month. Lucky you.

Now as part of NaBloPoMo, I’m also participating in 30 Days of Thanks, brainchild of Boogiemum, so every day this month I’ll be listing something I’m thankful for. Feel free to play along on your blog even if you’re not doing NaBloPoMo or, as always, in the comments here.

Today I am thankful for:

All of the wonderful friends I’ve made through blogging, and not just because they send me gifts like a digital camera (The Daily Rant), tahini and books (Piacere), and books in Italian for my birthday (At Home in Rome).

It’s a relationship that’s difficult to describe to those not in the blogosphere, but there’s just such a warm, comfortable feeling of flitting around from blog to blog in the morning, catching up on my friends’ lives and smiling, laughing, crying along with them. I feel so much more connected with the world since I started blogging, and it feels wonderful.

And Post Number 1 is in the books. Only 29 more to go!

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[tags]nanowrimo, nablopomo, 30 days of thanks[/tags]

46 Beans of Wisdom to “NaNoWriMo & NaBloPoMo–Goooooo!”
  1. Roam2Rome
    11.01.2007

    I definitely relate to what you said about feeling a connection in the blogosphere πŸ™‚

    There’s something truly special and above all, honest and comfortable about bloggersations which is the reason why we stay here, and make this a part of our daily lives.

    1667? Those are a lot of words per day. Each day? For a month? Wow, and I thought NaBloPoMo was somethin’

  2. Gill
    11.01.2007

    Thanks so much for the heads up re: 30 days of thanks. How did I miss that??? I have joined as of now πŸ™‚

  3. sognatrice
    11.01.2007

    Roamer, I knew you’d understand about the bloggers’ connection πŸ™‚

    Update: I’m at 750 words right now and just taking a break. Some real work to do, and then I’ll be back at it…aiming to go heavier at the front end for when I’ll inevitably lose steam later….

    Gill, so glad you’re doing the 30 days too! Should be fun πŸ™‚

  4. alyndabear
    11.01.2007

    Some of my blogging friends know me better than my real friends do! πŸ˜‰

    You are wonderful, doing all those things at once. Just NaBloPoMo for me.

  5. Sara, Ms Adventures in Italy
    11.01.2007

    Good luck with NaBloPoMo! πŸ™‚ I am not attempting NaNoWriMo this year, either – after two years, I realize I am not a mass-producer, especially with a full-time job.

    I’ll try to be a good commenter to support you!

  6. Judith in Umbria
    11.01.2007

    I’m glad you explained it, because I hadn’t a clue. I’ve been trying to post everyday for a while, so when I don’t there’s a damned good reason.

    I’m still wondering what the point is. I’ve a few November things that are distracting, such as my kid’s birthday, la Festa di Ringraziamento, last possible day to mail Xmas gifts, planning the annual super party… I think I have commitment issues.

  7. mental mosaic
    11.01.2007

    I hadn’t heard of the “30 Days of Thanks.” Maybe I’ll give that a whirl, too.

    You always seem to know what’s going on out there in the blogosphere! I found out about the NaBloPoMo from you, after all.

    Have fun! πŸ™‚

  8. My Melange
    11.01.2007

    Right back at you sister- about the making *friends* blogging!! Good luck with your 30 posts!! I thought about doing it, but then decided against it. I don’t want to force it (you know, the creative process and all). Plus with work and everything else going on…I don’t know if I could do it. I like my weekends and don’t always post πŸ˜‰ I’ll be pulling for ya!

  9. Confessions of Cleopantha
    11.01.2007

    Thanks for the info. lm grateful for the wonderful connections l have made through blogging. It has opened up another world of friends πŸ™‚ Look forward to the daily post sessions…

  10. Beth K. Vogt
    11.01.2007

    Good morning and let the NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo games begin!!! Greetings to a fellow 30 Days of Thanks participant. It will be fun to see what we’re all thankful for.

  11. Karina
    11.01.2007

    Sognatrice, just last night I was trying to explain to my mom the incredible friendships I’ve made through blogging, and I couldn’t find the words to describe it exactly. Blogging is just a whole different world, and it’s always amazing to me how a comment from someone can touch me in such a personal way. It trully is amazing.

    About NaNoWriMo and NaBloPoMo…I’m having slight panic attacks, but they’re adrenaline infused, kind of excited ones. I have no idea how I’ll do it, but by God, I’m going to try!

  12. lissa
    11.01.2007

    Today, I am utterly distracted and yet I am thankful for the lighter workload at work. Anyway good luck with NaBloPoMo and NaNoWriMo! I am only doing the novel thing. And yes I might also count my words each day to see my own progress.

    I’ll probably be dropping by to read your daily posts. Good luck!

  13. Beckie
    11.01.2007

    That was a great start to NoBloPoMo!

    I agree…1667 is a lot of words per day. I wish you luck.

  14. Sara
    11.01.2007

    Good luck with everything!

  15. Frances
    11.01.2007

    A lovely first post.
    I think 30 days of thanks is an awesome take.
    Now I gotta gop read that Wednesday recipe of yours.
    Much bloglove,
    Frances

  16. boogiemum (www.boogiemum.com)
    11.01.2007

    I have to agree with you! I am thankful for all my blogging friends, too. It is a wonderful relationship, but a difficult one to explain to non-bloggers πŸ™‚

    Also, thanks for spreading the 30 days of thanks idea. They say it takes 30 days to form a habit, so after this we should all be a little more naturally thankful!

  17. Janet
    11.01.2007

    I loved how you wrote about the friends you’ve made through blogging. I was thinking about that just yesterday when I was trying to come up with a Thursday Thirteen post.

    I’m participating in NaBloPoMo, too, using Carla Blazek’s Sacred Life Project (http://tinyurl.com/2bjtpj).

  18. Bonggamom
    11.01.2007

    Day 1 of NaBloPoMo! Thanks for inspiring me to join, and thanks for the inspirational first post!

  19. flutter
    11.01.2007

    I’ll be here, reading them all, friend.

  20. sognatrice
    11.01.2007

    Alyndabear, same here on the blogging versus real friends…amazing isn’t it? And please, if I’m anything for doing all of this, it’s CRAZY!

    Sara, thanks for the support; your comments will be greatly appreciated as I don’t know how often I’ll get to make the rounds this month…sniff sniff….

    Judith, part of what’s good about this is that it leads you to new places and new people to yours…assuming we have time to look around πŸ˜‰

    MM, I like to stay informed πŸ˜‰

    Robin, I know what you mean, but sometimes I need a little push. I figure I already post 5 days a week (internet connection permitting), so what’s 2 more days?

    CleoPantha, looking forward to having you around πŸ™‚

    Beth, I’m really looking forward to all the 30 days posts too; best of luck to you!

    Karina, you’ve got lots of support to push through that’s for sure! And yes, explaining blogging relationships to people who don’t have them can be a little like Big Bird talking about Snuffy on Sesame Street I’m afraid πŸ˜‰

    Lissa, best of luck! You can always post novel snippets and still do the NaBloPoMo thing πŸ˜‰

    Beckie, thanks, and thanks!

    Sara, thank you much; I’ll need it!

    Frances, looking forward to your memoirs as well πŸ™‚

    Boogiemum, I love your take on this–I sure do hope that this makes us more grateful more naturally. What a wonderful result!

    Janet, that’s another great project; thanks for the link!

    Bonggamom, so happy to see you here! I’ll be over to your place shortly πŸ™‚

  21. sognatrice
    11.01.2007

    Flutter, thanks so much πŸ™‚

  22. misplaced misfit
    11.01.2007

    I can’t wait to see your blogs during NaBloPoMo and beyond! I may not always comment, given my time crunch, but I’ll be lurking.

    I’m going to check out the 30 Days of Thanks…hadn’t heard of it until now. Sometimes I need reminding to be thankful. How sad is that?

  23. Shameless Words
    11.01.2007

    Wow, how will you find the time? I struggle as it is, let alone add all that into the bargain! lol

  24. sognatrice
    11.01.2007

    Misfit, I think we all need to be reminded to be thankful every now and again–it’s easy to get caught up in every day life problems and hassles and forget all the great stuff we already have. Hopefully these 30 days will help not only me be more thankful but also others who read the posts…glad you’ll be around πŸ™‚

    Shameless, didn’t you hear? They’re extending November days to include another few hours? I don’t know how I’ll do it either, but I’ll certainly give it my best!

  25. Laume
    11.01.2007

    Rambling in late from the party. Nice to meetcha. So, you’re having a go at both NaNo and NaBlo (which I just found out about this morning). I wish I could participate this year, I feel like I’m missing a month long party. I’m still thinking of attempting it, but it seems crazy making to even try Nano. Maybe NaBlo.

  26. sognatrice
    11.01.2007

    Laume, oh come on–remember 50,000 words that don’t have to be awesome, just THERE. You can edit all through December πŸ™‚

    Pleased to meetcha as well πŸ˜‰

  27. mental mosaic
    11.01.2007

    This is funny… I *thought* I added you as a NaNoWriMo buddy, until I visited “your” user profile and learned that you are actually a 16 year old living in the midwest of the US! Oh my… you sure had me fooled! ;P

  28. qualcosa di bello
    11.02.2007

    don’t you just love the 30 days of thanks??? i used to journal 5 things i am grateful every day, not allowing myself to repeat the list. it was eye-opening once i got beyond my big blessings…lots & lots to be grateful for!

  29. BipolarLawyerCook
    11.02.2007

    Go Sognatrice, go!

  30. Pinkie Denise
    11.02.2007

    Thanks for stopping by my party, was’nt great? Hope you had a Happy Halloween Pinkie Denise

  31. KarenHarveyCox
    11.02.2007

    I am so glad that I found your blog tonight. Once upon a time I was an ex-pat in Asia and now back in the States. Blogging has given me the opportunity to satisfy my wanderlust and find kindred spirits all over the globe. Your blog looks wonderful and I will add yours to mine. Karen

  32. bella
    11.02.2007

    Yay! November is here. Umm, girlfriend… you are going to be doing a lot of writing this month!! I’ll be here to cheer you on. xo

  33. SabineM
    11.02.2007

    30 days of thanks is a great idea!!

  34. The Passionate Palate
    11.02.2007

    Oh how wonderful…we can never say enough thanks. You are amazing, not only participating in the 30 days of thanks, but the novel writing project, as well as others. How do you do it SuperWoman?

  35. Anali
    11.02.2007

    Wow! You really have a lot going on here. I can barely pronounce these Nano things though. I was trying to explain it to my co-workers and realized it. I definitely understand about the feeling in the blogging community. I think that’s what makes it so addictive.

    Even though my parents are non-bloggers, they have mentioned what a strong community feeling they get from just reading the comments. It is quite wonderful this blogworld we have here. And on to Day 2!

  36. sognatrice
    11.02.2007

    MM, yeah, someone swiped “sognatrice” as a user name. Can you believe it? So I’m “bleedingespresso” in case anyone is looking for me πŸ˜‰

    Qualcosa, I used to do a gratitude journal too, and yes, there are so many things to be thankful for–definitely a good exercise to force yourself to find them.

    BPC, thanks!

    Pinkie, incredible party! Thanks for coming by πŸ™‚

    Karen, welcome! Glad to see you here as well; looking forward to getting to know you better πŸ™‚

    Bella, write or bust! Thanks for your support πŸ™‚

    Sabine, it is, isn’t it? I can’t take credit it for it, but I’m enjoying participating.

    PP, when you do what you love it makes everything a bit more easier πŸ™‚

    Anali, honestly before I blogged but was just reading others, it was probably all the comments back and forth that drew my interest as well…at first it was intimidating thinking all those people have all these relationships already, what can I add? But then I realized, hey, they didn’t always “know” each other either. So I jumped in, and haven’t looked back πŸ˜‰

  37. JennDZ - The Leftover Queen
    11.02.2007

    I so hear what you are saying about the blogosphere Sognatrice. I feel the same way! I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog way back when!

  38. sognatrice
    11.02.2007

    Jenn, and I’m happy I found you too πŸ™‚

  39. nyc/caribbean ragazza
    11.02.2007

    Good luck Sognatrice with NaNoWriMo & NaBloPoMo.

    You are right about Blogging. I am so glad I started my blog. It is hard to explain to people who don’t blog (hello I was one of those skeptical people.) I love the interactive aspect of Blogging.

  40. bella
    11.02.2007

    Stumbled upon your blog and happy to be here.
    Yeah to the posting everyday.

  41. sognatrice
    11.02.2007

    NYC, thanks for the good luck wishes, and I was one of those skeptics too…didn’t want to do it just b/c all the cool kids were. Guess sometimes the cool kids are right πŸ˜‰

    Bella, welcome! Happy to see you here πŸ™‚

  42. Lisa Milton
    11.02.2007

    Yowza. You’re doing both – so impressed. I’m reading a book with Defective Yeti, but that’s not anything new for me I guess.

    I’m here.

    I’m reading.

  43. sognatrice
    11.02.2007

    Lisa, so glad to see you here! Hope I make you proud πŸ˜‰

  44. soccer mom in denial
    11.02.2007

    Oh my! You are doing BOTH NaNo and NaBlo? WOW!! You are my hero.

    Plus you live in Italy so I also envy you.

  45. jennifer
    11.03.2007

    Good luck this month! I’ll be reading!

  46. sognatrice
    11.03.2007

    Soccer Mom, you shouldn’t envy crazy. Really πŸ˜‰

    Jennifer, thanks, and happy to know you’ll be here πŸ™‚

Michelle KaminskyMichelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived. 

Calabria Guidebook

Calabria travel guide by Michelle Fabio

Recipes

 

Homemade apple butter
Green beans, potatoes, and pancetta
Glazed Apple Oatmeal Cinnamon Muffins
Pasta with snails alla calabrese
Onion, Oregano, and Thyme Focaccia
Oatmeal Banana Craisin Muffins
Prosciutto wrapped watermelon with bel paese cheese
Fried eggs with red onion and cheese
Calabrian sausage and fava beans
Ricotta Pound Cake