National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

First, if you don't know what NaNoWriMo is, hop on over to the site and check it out. In its simplest form NaNo is a 30-day writing challenge. The goal is to have written 50,000 words in 30 days. Not a bad goal all around.

I've competed the past four years, writing PENUMBRA CHILDREN, THE MISADVENTURES OF SKIPPY THE WARLORD, DUNGEON CRAWL: THE FALL, and the first draft of JANE DOE... which really felt like cheating because it was already partially written.

This year? This year I'm sitting out the adventure. I love the concept of NaNo - I've used the same daily word count goal to write almost every first draft of a novel I've done - but my desk is covered. Even if I finished edits for JANE DOE and kicked them out the door tonight I have other projects waiting. Most of it is editing.

The projects I want to work on when the editing is over are all partially written. From experience you *can* write a started novel during NaNoWriMo but it's never worked for me. I prefer jumping in with an outline, and opening scene, and nothing else. It makes the writing that much easier because I have perfect freedom.

So, count me in as a Cheerleader this year. I'll be on the sidelines, shirt stained red by editing ink, and cheering for those of you making the marathon run. Just remember, drink lots of water and Write or Die is your best friend!