National Novel Writing Month

It's that time of year again!  November 1st is the start of National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo to "those in the know").  Don't know what this is?  Well, let me tell you -- it's a month of frenzied writing.  Participants try to "win" the event by writing 50,000 words in 30 days.  Can it be done?  Yes, as many winners will tell you.

Have I ever won?  No.  But, then again, I've never tried to win.  I love NaNo, but since I write for kids, 50,000 words is like 2 middle-grade novels in one month.  Instead, I use NaNo as a kick-start for whatever I'm working on.  There's tons of encouragement from other writers, lots of excitement as you add up your word count, plenty of write-ins (both virtual and in person), and many chances to ask for help and support from other participants (whether in person or on one of the many threads and chatrooms).

Am I participating again this year?  You betcha!  One of these days I might try my hand at writing 50,000 words, because I do have some adult novels I'd like to write.  But, for this year, I'm going to work on a middle-grade novel.

I'll let you know how I do.

Want to participate too?  Go to www.nanowrimo.org and sign up!