National Novel Writing Month
AKA NaNoWriMo
Most of you have likely heard about National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo. Some of you may be deep in the throws of getting to that 50,000 word goal before the end of the month.
me todayI had heard about NaNoWriMo for several years before I participated in 2006. I was off to a great start, and then found out my house needed foundation work … on the inside.
So I had to abandon my NaNoWriMo project and move everything I owed into the garage.
While I didn’t reach the 50,000 word goal by the end of November, I still consider that endeavor a success for several reasons:
- I actually did it, compared to letting another year go by. There will never be “the right time” – you have to make it right.
- I know what it’s like when the words flow and when they are churning fiercely behind a dam I can’t break. My solution is to step away and do something complete different and trust the flood gates will open.
- I know what it’s like to work toward a deadline. Even self-imposed, if taken seriously, such a deadline is motivating.
All of these things I now know, thanks to NaNoWriMo. I used to regret not being able to write the entire month and reach that 50k word count, but now I look at what I’ve learned, and how far I’ve come since that first step, and am thankful there was such a thing to inspire me to sit down, night after night, and write a novel.
The Brain: Imagine thousands of mes focused on the same goal.
- Pinky & the Brain, “Brinky”
Nov 17, 2009
Categories: writing
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