November is National Novel Writing Month, affectionately known as NaNoWriMo.

What is NaNoWriMo?

NaNoWriMo is a non-profit organisation that encourages and supports writers of all levels to write 50,000 words in the month of November.

They do this through online tools and forums, real life meet ups and daily emails throughout November to keep participants motivated.

Have I ever done it?

Yes, I have. In fact, it’s what got me to the end of the first draft of The Day She Came Home. I had been slowly plodding on with the manuscript and NaNoWriMo came along at just the right time to propel me to the end.

I loved logging on to their website and recording my word count. I enjoyed receiving their daily emails to make me get my butt in the chair. I adored getting my virtual badges whenever I reached a milestone (I’ve always been a sucker for a Gold star and a smiley face from my school teacher!) But more than that I was proud to reach 50,000 words and hold the first incarnation of my book in my hands.

Completing Nation Novel Writing Month has definitely been a defining moment in my career so far.

Will you do it again?

Yes, I’m doing it again this year and I don’t mind telling you I’m nervous. 50,000 words is a lot of words and although there is no obligation to write that amount in one month, it’s the challenge I’ve set myself.

The reason I’m doing it this year is that I have a new manuscript brewing in my head but I’m procrastinating – making excuses! – so need to make the commitment to get that first draft down on paper.

It doesn’t matter how bad the draft is, the important thing is to get it written. After all, I can’t edit a blank page!

So wish me luck, I am going to need it!

Why you should do it

I encourage all of you, no matter where you are in your writing journey, to give it a go.

If you’ve never written before this is your chance to try it with all the help and enthusiasm that comes from the NaNoWriMo team. By the end of November you will have a good idea of whether or not writing is something you enjoy.

If you’ve already started a novel use November as the impetus to get the draft finished. Perhaps all you need is the feeling of solidarity that comes with the NaNoWriMo community.

If you’ve written a whole first draft use the month as a pacing mechanism to get you through to the end of draft two. If you in the Northern hemisphere, November is a dark and cold time of the year. What better opportunity is there to stay warm and cosy at home while putting those long dark nights to good use and creating your masterpiece!

Let me know if you’ve decided to join NaNoWriMo this year, and keep me updated with how you’re getting on. Let’s do this together!