I know it’s September 1st and not November 1st, but this year I’m doing something a bit different.  Every November 1,000s of people around the world set out to complete the insane NaNoWriMo task of writing a novel in 30 days.  I am one of those insane people.  It may sound easy, but I can assure you, it’s not.  November 1st – 30th you sit down to write that novel.  That’s 50,000 words in 30 days.  A plot, a story, a tale being told.  It becomes…what’s the level above crazy?  Well, that’s what it becomes.  This year I’ve decided to do a few things differently. 

One, I’m actually preparing in advance what I’m going to write and where it’s going.  I’m one of those seat of my pants writers where I let the story develop as I’m writing.  That’s fine, but I want to learn to incorporate plotting into my game plan.  This year I’m taking the time to create a road map.

Second, I’m going to work on a book of non-fiction.  I know the whole point is to write that novel you’ve been putting off.  For me this year, it’s all about writing that book I’ve been putting off.  There are so many works of fiction racing around my head right now, but this non-fiction work is front and center.  So, the best way to move it out of the way is to get it out of my head.

My goal for NaNoWriMo 2009 is to write a 50,000 word book.  By 11:59 pm, November 30th, I will have completed a book which is a major accomplishment.

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year?  Are you plotting or plan to wing it?

It’s November which can only mean one thing.  I’ve once again decided to torture myself by taking up the NaNoWriMo challenge.  What is said challenge you ask?  The challenge is to write a 50,000 novel in 30 days.  Sounds easy doesn’t it?  I can assure you my friend, it’s not. 

In order to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days, you have to write at least 1,667 words a day.  Every day.  No matter what else you have going on, you need to get those words down on paper.  As I type this, it does sound pretty easy to do.  I mean if you don’t factor in the stress of plotting the story, making sure your characters are believable, the story is interesting or completely losing track of where the story is going, it should be a breeze.  For me, it’s torture.  It’s a lot of pressure to complete this work of fiction in 30 days.  It takes me that long to edit 3 chapters of a completed manuscript!  Last year, I hit the wall at a little over 35,000 words.  I could go anymore.  I just couldn’t.

Once upon a time dear reader, I was a writer on the move.  I wrote all the time, anywhere, on anything.  The muse would follow me around feeding me grapes from the vine.  It was a wonderful and simple life.  Then I decided to open a business and my writing went from creative fiction to promos and content.  I mean, I tried to make it all light and fun but eventually, it all became technical.  Then no writing at all.  Can you imagine a writer who isn’t writing?  I couldn’t either, but there I was waving to my muse from 3 blocks down the street.

Fast forward to today and this insane challenge.  I am forcing myself to get back into the saddle and write.  Every friggin’ day!  Have I stuck to the self-appointed guidelines?  No, not really, not even a little bit.  However, I am going to complete this challenge this year and snag that coveted NaNoWriMo winner’s badge.  Want to help push me toward that finish line?  Cheer me on in the comments section!  Stand on the sidelines with a bottle of water and a power bar. 

You can track my progress from the Word War and NaNo Progress boxes in the right menu.  So far my word count is 13,267 (Yes, I know I should be at 20,004 by now.  I really didn’t need you throwing that in my face.) and we are about half way through.  I’ll keep you up-to-date on my progress and the how far along the insanity has progressed.