It’s that time of the year again

I was busy editing a few short stories, when I looked up and noticed that we’re in October already.

No, I’m not making a list and checking it twice for Christmas.  I have until December 24th, 4:50 PM, to take care of that.  It’s also not time to stock up for Thanksgiving, or Halloween, or even Columbus day.  It’s something better: It’s time to prepare for NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month. 

NaNoWriMo is the brainchild of Chris Baty, who started it 11 years ago to help writers focus on doing what can usually be the greatest challenge: getting our butts in our respective chairs and get to writing.  The rules are simple.  You get thirty days to write 50,000 words. 

This will be my third consecutive year participating.  The first year I underestimated the task and fell behind early.  I had 18K words in the till at the end of the month, but it left me wanting for something more.

Last year, I decided that I wasn’t taking any chances and with support from the Mighty William Wood (a member of a critique group that we both belong), we were able to crush the 50K barrier with days to spare on our respective novels. 

If you’re a writer that has never done it before, I can’t recommend it enough.  Some words of advice:

• Don’t underestimate the challenge - Knocking out 1,666 words per day is no joke.  Be prepared to bring it every day. 
• Loose the remote, it’ll still be there when you return  - If television is one of your guilty pleasures, be prepared to ditch it.  No joke, it is a heck of a lot easier to lose yourself in some mindless reality show than it is to break the 30K mark.
• Say goodbye to your inner editor - Going back to edit page after page is what sunk me the first year.  Trust in yourself that you’ll have time to go back and give it a proper edit when you’re through.
• Be prepared to be amazed - I look back at what I accomplished that month and I’m amazed that what I’m looking at is something that I produced.  Don’t get me wrong, some of it is outright crap, but there are select passages that went far beyond the quality that I thought that I was capable.

Anyone else up for the challenge?