I'm Sorry, NaNoWriMo. But It's Over...

Dear NaNoWriMo,

I'm sorry but it's over between you and me.  We've had a good run, but you're just not the right fit for me anymore.

I want you to know that it's not you; it's me.  Really.  You're a fantastic challenge!  Every year you help thousands of people to write novels.  Some folks even end up as published authors because of you.  I honestly don't believe I would have ever tried writing a book if it hadn't been for you.  Now I have three partial manuscripts and many more ideas banging around in my head waiting for their turn to meet paper.

I remember when I first met you.  It was 2009.  I was laid off, depressed, and searching for purpose when all of a sudden you came along.  You inspired me.  I planned.  I dreamed.  I wrote over 12,000 words.  That was the most I had written in a long time, maybe ever.  You gave me hope.  I am forever grateful for that.

I have clung to that hope for eight years now.  Every year I think I can do it.  I believe I can do it.  I can write 50,000 words in 30 days.  But it's time I admitted the truth, to you and to myself.  That kind of writing is not my style.  It does not work for me.  I prefer a more laid back approach to writing.  If it takes me years to finish my first draft, I'm ok with that.

So, I'm sorry NaNo, but it's over.  Next November I will ignore all the people chatting about you online.  I will go about my normal routine without you, and everything will be ok.  I will keep writing, but on my schedule.  You will move on and help thousands more people realize their dream of writing a book.

It's for the best.  I promise.
Love,
Lisa

NaNoWriMo 2017 Update #1: It's not going well

Oh, NaNoWriMo, how I love you, and how I hate you.

Why do I do this to myself?  Why do I come back year after year and attempt to write 50,000 words in a mere 30 days?

It's the definition of insanity, right?  Trying the same exact thing over and over again, expecting different results?

I really thought that this year would be different.  I am not working, so I have all the time I could possibly want.  In the past, time has been one of my big excuses for not doing well in NaNoWriMo.  

"November is a really busy month for teachers."

"Thanksgiving really throws me off my game."

"I just don't have the time to write 1,667 words every evening after working all day."

Well, now I don't have that excuse.  I have been home every day of November, so far.  I have been sitting in my living room, less than 10 feet from where my computer lives.  I have multiple notebooks and pens sitting on a table next to me.  I have no excuse!

I even made a fantastic and beautiful NaNoWriMo tracker in my bullet journal.
Inspired by Boho Berry.  She's amazing!

You can see from the photo: It's not going well.

Maybe NaNoWriMo is not for me.

As you can see, I have written a total of two days so far this month.  Yes, you read that correctly, two days!  That's a total of 1,681 words.  Almost halfway through the month, and I have only 1,681 words written.

Maybe I will start a writing spurt mid-month and reach my goal by the end of the month.  Writing spurts are a thing, right?  I sure hope so because I need a NaNo miracle!

What about you?  How is NaNoWriMo going for you?

Do you believe in NaNo miracles?

NaNoWriMo 2017

NaNoWriMo and I have some history.  I first discovered the challenge in 2009.  I had been laid off from my job and I was excited to find something to occupy my time.

It.  Was.  A.  Disaster.

First I lost my planning notebook while subbing.  Then I got my job back (which was a good thing) and, all of a sudden, I had no time to write (which was a bad thing).  Needless to say I lost NaNo that year, but that did not stop me.  I have a lot of ideas and I keep coming back to NaNo to explore them, either as a traditional participant or as a rebel.

Last year I took a break from NaNoWriMo and this year I am back!

NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, occurs every November when large numbers of people attempt to write 50,000 words of a novel in 30 days.  Many of those people are successful; many even write more than the required 50,000.  I, however, have never won NaNoWriMo.

But this year, I am confident!  

• I had surgery in early October and I will be at home recovering for the whole month of November, which means I have all the time I need.  
• I have an interesting concept stolen from a nightmare that a friend had.  It involves flying tarantulas.  Yes, you read that correctly... Flying.  Tarantulas.
• I even have one full week of planning time before November begins.

I am pumped!  Wish me luck.

By the way, if you are interested in following my progress, stop back by this blog for updates, visit my NaNo author page, or follow me on Twitter.

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year?  

Tell me about your novel and add me as a writing buddy!

The image "Tarantula Arachnid Nature Wildlife Hairy Spider" by Max Pixel and "Wicca" symbol are both licensed under Creative Commons Zero - CC0.