As an avid writer, there are certain things I adore; spending time writing up a storm on the next idea for my novel, reading some new and upcoming book that strikes me just right and having a mild freak out every November.
Why November? Well, every year in November many of us celebrate what we lovingly (or disgustingly) call NaNoWriMo. What is that? Well, it stands for National Novel Writing Month, and it runs November 1st through the last day of the month. The goal is to write 50,000 words which should be a complete novel. It seems like it should be fun right? Wrong, it's torture. (just kidding. it can be fun). Here are five thoughts I've had in the years that I've participated.
1. I've got plenty of time right?
Wrong my friend. Wrong. Thirty days may sound like a lot, but it's actually a short amount of time. It never fails that you will sit down and make it maybe two days into the event before something in your life comes crashing down. Be it school, home, work; something will challenge your ability to write daily.
2. It's only 1666 words a day, I can manage that.
That doesn't sound like too much right? Oh, no... I've only written three hundred today. It might seem like a small word count for a daily goal, but it can be daunting; especially if you are having a sudden onset case of writer's block. It has been enough to crush dreams.
3. Is this torture even worth it?
Why not? How many other people can claim they've completed a novel and there are cool prizes at the end. Not cash but awards nonetheless. There have been some valuable end goal prizes. I've been able to get in contact with publishers and others that have gone on to have their NaNo novel published. It's a great sense of community, even if it is only once a year.
4. Wait what, its November 29th?
Where did all this time go? I've yet to complete half of my novel. It is a sad situation. It does seem like the time flies when you're trying to participate. When you start on November 1 it's easy to be gung-ho about the whole thing but suddenly you look up, and it is the last day of the month, and you feel as if you've accomplished nothing. It can be a hard reality to face.
5. It's finally over. Party!
I might not have completed the thing but I participated, that counts right? Even if you don't finish, there is no shame in that. Participating is important, and it helps improve your writing capabilities. I have not finished NaNo 3 out of the five times I've participated and It won't stop me from going back again this year.