Happy NaNoWriMo Day!

It's November! For most people, the first thing that pops into their mind is Thanksgiving, but for writers, it's NaNoWriMo.

Today kicks off the 12th year of National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo. Or, for the really lazy, just NaNo. Since 1999, literary-minded people from around the world have joined together with one goal in mind, to write an entire novel during the month of November. The goal isn't to have a stellar work of literary genius that is ready for the bookshelves by December 1st. NaNoWriMo is about turning off your internal editor, focusing on the story, and actually writing it!

I've known about NaNoWriMo for several years, and have worked in the "spirit" of the event, but this is the first year I've actually signed up and committed myself to this program. I did so on a whim, answering a challenge by my fellow Austin RWA Chaptermate, Robyn DeHart. Before officially signing up, I was going to approach NaNoWriMo this year with the same attitude as I have in the past. I decided I would work on one of the story ideas that I have been mulling over, but because of contract obligations, haven't had the time to write. I figured I'd get a few chapters written and just be happy with whatever progress I made during the month.

That lackadaisical attitude changed once I signed up and got my personal NaNoWriMo page. Something clicked in my brain. This became real. I realized I could actually write this entire book in one month's time if I put my mind to it.

And you know what? You can too! If you've always wanted to write a novel, why not commit to doing it? What's the harm? Go forth and write during this National Novel Writing Month!

Come back on November 17th when I'll report on my NaNoWriMo progress.

Happy Writing!