I admit, that might be forced enthusiasm. You see, while I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo NINE times, over the past couple years I’ve decided it’s no longer useful for me.

Well.

Once again, my publishing schedule has led me to start writing a new book in November, so it seems silly to not at least attempt the international month-long challenge of writing a book in thirty days. (For those new to this, the challenge is to write 50,000 words, which is shorter than a typical novel, so winning doesn’t necessarily equate finishing a complete first draft.)

Things that draw me to NaNo :

• the camaraderie with other writers from all over the world
• the shared chaos as writers push themselves beyond their comfort zones TOGETHER
• the satisfaction of achieving something that seemed unattainable (even if I’ve done it in years past)
• the despair when life gets crazy and the words won’t come
• the candy! All the candy (I use chewy sprees as motivation — 1 every 100 words)

November is traditionally a busy month, what with elections and Thanksgiving and prepping for the December holidays, and it’s gotten even busier for us because WE JUST GOT A PUPPY. I don’t see how this can possibly impact my writing.*

Shameless plug: please check out his Instagram (Greetings from Gus) and Facebook (Greetings from Gus), which are refreshed from Owen’s page, and our joint Tiktok account, GusGhostwrites. I cannot promise magic on clock app, but I hope it’s fun. (If you have Tiktok tips, please share!!)

My hope is that cranking out a first draft faster than I have in the past couple years will allow me to publish earlier in the year so I’m not stressed all summer. (See last month’s post on that.) I don’t actually expect to win, which I suppose isn’t the right attitude going into this month-long endeavor, but I’ve learned that reducing the pressure I put on myself is good for my mental health. So while I would love to have that Winner banner on my page on November 30, just starting my 12th novel is enough.

Are you participating this year? Be my buddy! I’m @melaniehoo.

*you heard me laughing all the way from over here, didn’t you?