NaNoWriMo

If you're a writer or a wannabe, this annual November event is one you might want to consider. It's a challenge to write 50,000 words of a novel all in the month of November. It's a lot to do. If you find yourself having trouble getting your ideas and thoughts down on paper or computer, the experience can be truly enlightening.

You see, you don't have the time to edit your draft. You will be writing as fast as you can go and not having the luxury of being able to edit as you write. Editing and rewrites are for later. Nothing kills the creative urge as quickly for many writers than when they stop to get the words right rather than getting the ideas and dialogue written down before they're lost.

It won't be perfect. It will likely be a crappy first draft but you will have the length of a novella done in only 30 days. It's inspiring to try even if you don't make it. It's my sixth year and I was successful in three out of five. Even when life got in the way, I still managed to get about 25k worth done and that wasn't bad either.

I urge you to give it a try. Most areas have groups that have write ins at Starbucks or Panera or a bunch of different places if that's something that helps you or you just like being around a bunch of other crazy writers. The web site to sign up, no charge, is at www.nanowrimo.org. It stands for National Novel Writing Month. Check it out. November isn't far away. You'll find me there as Cigarista.