• Day 1 WC: 1438
• Day 2 (currently): 4145 (+2707)

Kicking off NaNoWriMo

November has once again found us with two important yet dreaded events: a presidential election and NaNoWriMo. While, of course, NaNoWriMo is not a doom-and-gloom event quite like an election, writers of all walks struggle to persevere through the amorphous goal of 50k words in one month. 

I have a few thoughts about the writing process and the goals of slogging through NaNoWriMo

1. Writing 50k words does not mean you’re going to have a viable project at the end of NaNoWriMo. You’ll have 50k words. That’s it. That might be the bones of a great novel (like with The Night Circus), or it might be absolute crap that taught you how to write consistently, creatively, and with purpose. 
2. Regardless, 50k words is an accomplishment. Even without the pandemic and a heavy election cycle, the stress of penning 50k words is enough to stress out the most seasoned writers. Be proud of what you do accomplish this year. 
3. November 4 will arrive. As will November 5. And November 6. The sun will rise and set. If you need to wait until after the election to get started, then by all means – do that. You can make up the word count or take it from your total. It’s okay. Give yourself that space. 
4. NaNoWriMo should be difficult but FUN. Nothing about writing 1667 words/day should be easy, but the process should light something inside of you – that burning desire to be heard. If that flame is not coming to life for you this year, then don’t force it. Wait. Give yourself time.