I decided last night to join the #NaNoWriMo craze. I've never been part of a group writing activity and initially didn't feel the need to join this one. Then I thought about it a little more and thought - Why not?
NaNoWriMo is a self-directed writing challenge from November 1 - November 30. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Phew.
You can track your progress here if you are participating in NaNoWriMo. I just signed up a few minutes ago, but it looks like it offers many community-building tools, both local and remote. Find me there at annadunworth_ to be writing buddies!
Also, if you're a newbie like me, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, aka November.
Why participate in NaNoWriMo?
I initially thought joining NaNoWriMo this year would be nuts (and doomed to fail). I am the primary caregiver for my 20-month-old and am nearly 8 months pregnant, still working freelance on the side. It is unlikely I'll finish 50,000 words in thirty days, so why bother?
I'm also a pretty competitive person regarding things I care about...and a self-directed writing challenge definitely fits the bill. I thought a 50,000-word goal would inevitably lead to poor choices (sleep deprivation, skipping other essential tasks, etc.) for the sake of "winning" the challenge.
But then I thought about the other side of things - What if I actually did it? If I write 50,000 words this month, the first draft of my novel will be complete. The idea is too tempting not to give it a shot.
My husband reminded me that I could meet this goal, but even if I don't, at least it will encourage me to write more over the next few weeks. If I only hit 30,000, or 40,000, or 15,000 - It's still amazing progress in 30 days.
Besides, I am a fast writer and a slow editor, which seems like a good fit for this challenge. I sat down last week and wrote 5500 words in one sitting. Were they perfect? Nope! That short story needs a ton of work. But, regardless, the words are on the page waiting for me to improve them, and that's something.
I joined NaNoWriMo because if I manage to do it, it will feel amazing, and I will have a full draft of my first book completed. Even if I don't meet the 50,000 words, I'll still make progress on the draft. What's there to lose, really?
What's the plan for NaNoWriMo?
Well, right now, the plan is there is no plan.
I'm not usually one for winging it, but I don't want to commit to a plan or schedule (either to myself or the internet) that will stress me out unnecessarily in these final months of what has been a challenging pregnancy.
I'll tentatively say that if I can commit to a few hours of writing 3-4 days a week, I'll get this done. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Should you join NaNoWriMo?
I am finishing off this post by encouraging YOU to think about your writing goals and whether NaNoWriMo will help you achieve them.
If you're like me, not sure if you will meet the goal but deciding to be okay with NOT doing so, then I say go for it! Why not, right?
If you're the type who will no longer enjoy your writing because you are under the pressure of this challenge, maybe sit this one out. I've only recently begun thinking about writing as more than a hobby, but that doesn't mean I don't want to preserve the joy and wonder I get from it. If this challenge threatened that, I would unquestionably choose not to participate.
Regardless of whether you are joining the challenge, this writer is wishing you a wonderful, productive, writing-win-filled November! Happy NaNoWriMo!
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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