No NaNoWriMo This Year

I want to start off by saying that I love National Novel Writing Month. There is nothing like letting your mind’s floodgates open for 30 days and writing like there is no tomorrow. You safely stash your internal editor away on an imaginary tropical island for 30 days (and hope he comes back rested and relaxed) and have the freedom to put down any idea that crosses your consciousness. It can be crazy, wacky, and out of this world, but that doesn’t matter because it is part of the fun. The only thing that matters is your word count, and 50,000 words is the Holy Grail.

I debated long and hard about whether or not to participate this year. I’ve done it twice. My first sprint to the finish line took me 22 days. In my second chaotic attempt, I managed to eek out my 50,000 words just under the wire on Day 30. I felt truly alive and present during those months, and had the “nothing can stop me now!” attitude that drove the deals home. But both of those attempts came at a time when I wasn’t truly focused on my writing life. Both experiences were the proverbial kick in the pants I needed to remember that I wanted to be seen as a writer too.

This year is quite different for me.

Since early August I have been revising my manuscript that was birthed during NaNoWrimo journey #2. I finished it, sent it out to beta readers, got some great feedback, and ultimately decided that I needed to change the story arc a bit and make it a whole lot darker. Then in October, I spun the Tiny Tales of Terror in honor of Halloween for my beta readers and their friends, because I found that by sharing my manuscript I have started to build a readership that was actively looking for new material (MY new material!) to read. I also have big plans to kick off a new podcast series that I’ve been working on since late September that was inspired by my attendance at the Writer’s Digest Conference.

My plate feels a bit…full. This year, I am writing more than ever before and doing more things with the business side of my writing as well. I still have the good ole day job and my family obligations. So for me, regretfully but respectfully, I gave myself a pass on NaNoWriMo this year.

I am cheering all of this year’s participants on, and living vicariously through their tweets, blogs, and posts. Good luck to all of you and may your 50,000 words come easily and in less than 30 days!