This is the fifth or sixth year in a row that I've attempted to write 50,000 words in one month during NaNoWriMo. This doesn't include two attempts of doing a similar thing in June of the last two years (one attempt successful and the other slightly less so). Over these several years, I've learned a lot about myself, about my writing styles (yes one author can have more than one), and also just about writing in general.

These lessons are not always easy. In fact, most of them are not. They often come with a blow to my pride and at a cost to my sleep. But they've helped me grow as a person and as a writer.

Now, I'm going to say something that I'm not thrilled about admitting. I'm done with NaNo for this year. I hate to say that, but it's true, and it's the best decision both for me and for my novel. Working at the pace NaNoWriMo requires simply isn't possible for me this year. I have too much school and too many other things going on.

There is also another side to this coin. The story I chose to do for NaNo is not compatible with the structure and requirements of NaNoWriMo. (If you're not a writer what I'm going to say next will sound very odd to you, but if you're a writer, I know you'll understand what I mean). This story simply did not want to be written as fast as NaNo was forcing me to write. It wanted me to take my time and to savor it as I went along.

If I had continued to force my will and this schedule upon this novel, I really think I would have done both myself and the story a serious wrong. It would not have responded well if I kept on.

So I think it's better this way all the way around.

I sort of feel as though I'm quitting. I'm not, though. I'm not going to follow NaNo's pace, but I'm not abandoning my novel, much less my writing. I'm going to take a slower pace as I write this book and give it the attention it deserves and needs.

That brings me to my final thought in regard to NaNoWriMo. If you make it to 50,000 words, that is an absolutely fantastic and superb accomplishment!

BUT

Just because you didn't make it to 50,000, doesn't mean you didn't accomplish something. YOU DID. This novel you've created is something you can continue to work on and enjoy.

One of the drawbacks of NaNo is not being able to savor your novel. You run through it so fast that it feels as though you haven't spent nearly enough time with your story before it is all over.

If you didn't finish the novel, you've got all the time in the world to work on it! You can spend as much or as little time as you like on it. You can finish it quickly or slowly, however you would like.

The most important thing to remember, though, is that you didn't loose. You didn't give up. You didn't quit. You're not a quitter or a looser. You aren't worth any less as a writer because you didn't manage to write 50,000 this month.

So don't forget to pat yourself on the back for whatever number of words you wrote! You did great! And you'll continue to do great!

Happy writing!