Happy Saturday, Readers! Today is not only the start of a new weekend, but also of a new month, and each day is filled with the possibility of success, enjoyment of all kinds, and exciting opportunities. As you change your calendar and contemplate how to make this month a time for personal growth, consider challenging yourself to reach a new creative goal.
In our brief time together as blogger and reader, I have encouraged you to be industrious and join the Maker movement. Now, I want to encourage all of the aspiring writers out there to join a different movement. November is National Novel Writing Month (also known as NaNoWriMo). Beginning today and ending at 11:59 P.M. on November 30th, writers are tasked with taking these 30 days and creating a 50,000 word rough draft of a novel.
NaNoWriMo is an online initiative and its website offers tips and encouragements along the way, as well as various forums for you to connect with other writers. You can keep track of your word totals and earn “badges” for your participation. A finished and validated 50,000 word novel can even win you prizes at the end of the month. Of course, the greatest prize will be your own satisfaction at having broken through your writer’s block to create something workable.
To be clear: NaNoWriMo is not about perfection. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be as formal as registering with the website. It can simply be you deciding that today is the day you give it a shot. Today is the day you tell the story you were meant to tell, develop that character that deserves to live on the page.
Don’t feel pressured to have a publishable novel by December 1st. Unless you are some kind of prodigy, that probably won’t happen. Instead, focus on getting words on the page. Play, experiment, and find your voice!
I will be participating in NaNoWriMo for the first time this year. I have no idea what my “finished” product will look like, and I am sure that I will doubt myself every step of the way. So, when you are alone at your laptop or legal pad and you just cannot find an original way to describe the sunset, remember that you are not alone. Keep in mind the words of Louis L’Amour: “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”
Wishing you 30 days of inspiration and thousands of all the right adjectives 🙂
Happy Reading and Writing,
Jess
