For the past two years, I have written a novel every November. Yes, you read that correctly. On November 1^st, I write my first line, trying to be as witty or attention-catching as possible, and vow to write at least 50,000 coherent, somewhat fictional words by midnight on November 30th.

This year, I decided to step up my game and challenge myself to participate in Camp Nanowrimo, or a version of November in the often boring month of July. Summer has been in session for well over a month, and you still have at least a month before you head back to the real world. Especially as a college student, July seems like the perfect time to write a novel, if there can ever truly be such a time.

So in the month of July, starting on the 1^st and ending on the 31^st, I am writing a novel.

Many people view writing as simply a hobby, and while I have always considered it one of mine, I devote myself to being an author in the month of November, and now, in July.

I will suddenly say “I have the perfect idea for my novel!” and run away to find a piece of paper or my computer.

I flip through baby name books trying to find the perfect name, but not one too perfect. I refuse to name my brave, warrior hero Andre, which means brave.

I log my word count like a fiend, constantly updating my coworkers on my word count, even if they don’t care at all that I just broke 15,000.

I ask my best friend his opinion on the majority of things my hero says and does. I get a guy’s perspective on how he would handle certain situations, what he would pick up on in a conversation, and how he would propose (spoiler alert).

Writing a novel in a month has made me a better reader, writer and listener, and I recommend it to all inspiring authors.

I started paying a lot more attention to the stylistic choices of my favorite authors when I was trying to determine my own style.

By forcing myself to write a novel in a month (which comes to between 1,600 and 1,700 words I day), I really got my creative juices flowing. There is no such thing as writer’s block anymore. When you force yourself to write something, anything, you’ll be amazed at what can come out.

I study people now, and reflective and contemplative in a way I have never been before. Yes, I’m watching you so that I can use your mannerisms in my novel.

Writing a novel in a month is a crazy task, but one that is so, so rewarding. At the end of the month, when you have a first draft and veins full of coffee, you will smile like you’ve never smiled before.

months out of the year I consider myself an avid reader, and a writer by hobby. But in July and November, I am an author.