Has there ever been a moment in your life where you have had an insatiable urge to sit down, open your laptop, and begin writing that novel you have been putting off? Well grab yourself a cup of Earl Grey and stop making excuses because now is your chance to let that imagination flow. It’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and thousands of people worldwide are embarking on a literary journey of creativity and self-discovery.
You may be wondering, “What is NaNoWriMo and how can I join in on the festivities?”
To put it simply, NaNoWriMo is an opportunity for ordinary people to embrace that writing itch and create a novel in a month’s time. There are no restrictions and no need for prior experience. The only tools required are your imagination and the time to put those thoughts to paper.
The challenge follows a basic outline for writers to adhere to: between November 1st and midnight on November 30th, the novel must consist of 50,000 words. All you have to do is go to the NaNoWriMo website, make a profile, and track your progress each day. It’s as simple as that.
Sure 50,000 words seems like a daunting task—because it is. But the key to successfully completing the word count by the deadline is to write without stopping. If you happen to be one of those people who like to edit as they write, resist the impulse to do so. This challenge is all about letting go and seeing what arises from the raw inspiration you have bottled up in your mind.
If you start to feel the burden of the task, try to keep in mind that you are not alone on this adventure. Thousands of others are doing this for the first time, and they too are feeling the pressure. That is why the NaNoWriMo website has created a community base for writers to connect with each other and share in their progress. Novice authors also have the opportunity to get advice from those who have participated in the challenge before and have some helpful tips to offer.
Nevertheless, the most important rule of the challenge is to have fun. Don’t stress yourself out. This concept was designed entirely under the context of enjoying oneself and creating a work of art that you may proudly show your friends and family.
So the next time you make a Starbucks run and happen to come across an individual furiously typing on their laptop, eyes fervently alight with inspiration, try not to immediately assume they have gone mad…they may just be writing next year’s best seller.