Hello internet,
Today’s post is my way of making a commitment. I’m hoping that putting it in writing will hold me accountable, and that maybe I’ll encourage others to do the same.
This November, I’m going to be participating in National Novel Writing Month, known as NaNoWriMo. If you haven’t heard of it, the title is pretty self-explanatory… Basically, it’s when a bunch of writers commit to writing a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days. I’ve tried to do it in years past, but I’ve always given up, knowing that no one but me will know of my failure. But not this time!
It might not sound like that big of a deal. You might be thinking, “you’re a writer, don’t you write a lot anyway?” Well, yes and no. The challenge of NaNoWriMo is the pressure to make progress everyday. Like someone training for a marathon, some days you’ll feel like you’re flying through the miles, and other days you’ll feel like you have bricks in your shoes.
I think NaNoWriMo is a great opportunity for any writer who needs that extra little nudge to get a whole story down on paper (or, more likely, on a computer screen). I often jump straight into writing without thinking about plot, or character development, or even what I really want my writing to be about. NaNoWriMo has forced me to spend a lot more time planning – as you can’t start really writing until November 1st! Even if I don’t hit that 50,000 word goal (although I really hope I do!), this experience will definitely teach me a lot about my writing process and what holds me back.
If you’re a writer and you’re looking for some encouragement to tell that story that’s been swirling around inside your head, I encourage you to check out the NaNoWriMo site and learn more about it. You still have two weeks to join!
And if you do decide to do it, be sure to let me know in the comments or on social media, so we can support each other throughout the month! And also be sure to download my NaNoWriMo Prep Checklist to help you get organized before November 1st.
XOXO
