National Novel Writing Month

I participated in NaNoWriMo two years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

For those who don't know, (I'm sure there are still some,) National Novel Writing Month, (November,) or NaNoWriMo, is an international event whose aim is to get writers writing, even if they're writing badly. It's a free-for-all, and very motivating.

The goal: Write 50k words in one month, which could technically be a novel.

I developed a nervous twitch in my eyebrow and hives on my arms and legs, but other than that, the time was well spent.

I didn't really get close to the 50k word goal, but the process the event takes you through showed me how to be a disciplined writer. Before NaNoWriMo I had never before set aside time in my day for my writing. I didn't have goals or a plan, I just sat down and wrote whenever the spirit moved me. NaNoWriMo taught me that setting goals is important. And the little line graph that charts your progress is unbelievably motivating.

I also learned to always have a tube of cortizone cream in my medicine cabinet. Seriously.

But last year I skipped NaNoWriMo. I'd kinda sorta quit writing. I never said I had quit out loud. Out loud, I used the time-honored excuses of, "I don't have time lately," or "I'm not feeling 'inspired'". The fact of the matter is I didn't do NaNo last year because I was scared of having my excuses stripped away, and if there are no more excuses, I have to try to be successful. NaNo forces me to try to be successful.

And if I try, there's a possibility I could fail. Not the word count goals, that's secondary for me. If I try to write a sellable novel, something people would enjoy reading, and I fail... Well, I don't even know. I have an idea that failing would be very, very painful because I want it so bad. I've never before pushed myself to finish a project like NaNo will. I've always allowed myself to get sidetracked from finishing so that true failing, (being told I've got no talent), isn't possible.

I can't query if I don't have a finished project. If I can't query, I can't be rejected. So technically, I haven't failed. Yet. Wistful 'might-have-beens' are harmless compared to outright failure.

I'm a little over 48k into my novel and November is still weeks away. If...I mean when, I write 50k more, I'll be well over 100k words, which will be lots of buffer to cut what needs cutting when I revise.

So, here goes. I'm making a declaration in an attempt to achieve success, rather than to avoid failure.

I'm going to use National Novel Writing Month to finish my WIP.

I feel itchy already...