This month is one of the most stressful times of the year. Between the election (Too fresh a wound for me to discuss), schoolwork, and missing the sun (Thanks daylight savings!), one can feel the pressure and anxiety all around them. So of course writers across the country decided that this would be the month to designate National Novel Writing Month.

National Novel Writing Month, or "NaNoWriMo" (Na-No-Rye-Mo [Though I say Nano-rammo]) is a challenge of sorts, much like no-shave-November. The first NaNoWriMo began in July of 1999, by a group of 20 or so twenty-somethings that just wanted what all writers want at first: notoriety, money, and something to help them get dates. It slowly built up over the next few years until it became a name that strikes fear in the name of most dedicated writers. But it is not something to fear, but something to aspire to, use for your benefit, and enjoy doing.

The first thing to know before taking on NaNoWriMo is that it is a lot of work. The end goal of the month is to reach 50,000 words total. That roughly equates to a 200 page novel! But before you write that off as impossible (Ha!), remember that this is an entire month. If you break it up into a daily amount, it's 1667 words a day, or about 6-7 pages a day. That's still a lot, but not that bad, considering most college students write 10-20 pages in one caffeine-filled night. This is a number that I would love to reach, but the most I've written in one day (this month) is 1000 words. I've failed miserably in maintaining my pace for NaNoWriMo, but I still celebrate.

The real purpose behind NaNoWriMo (In my opinion) is to get writers into good habits for writing; the first and most important of which is write every day. This is something that many can struggle with, but much like a sport or hobby, you'll only get good at it with consistent and dedicated practice. It doesn't have to be 1667 words a day, though that would be nice. As long as you can put the time and effort into writing something down, you'll feel better, and will see progress.

The second takeaway is to find a writing method that works for you. I cannot outline. I still have a few techniques to give a shot, but outlining has never been a talent of mine. But years of trial and error has shown that I write best when I find the scenes that I like most, that pop out at me, and start with those ones. It doesn't matter how unconnected they are, if I can get one or two scenes that I like (or don't like) I can tie them together eventually. I know some people who outline the entire story, or others who draw maps and charts of how they see the story going. Find what works for you and push for it.

I haven't actually been doing NaNoWriMo that long. I first gave the challenge an attempt my freshman year of college, when I discussed it with friends. I began with an idea about a gay James Bond-Type that fought fascism. It never got beyond that blurb there. I've gotten more and less far over the course of the past years, not trying at all last time around. Even though I have the time to give it (Still no job...), I struggle with writing for myself, something that only I could think of. It's not easy, but that's the point. Writing isn't easy, if it were, everyone would do it. That's why NaNoWriMo is a challenge. I've probably been beaten by the month this time around, but I'm not going to stop. And neither should you.