CG Express

Did I make it? I set my goal at 30K because I didn’t want to stress myself. The idea of fifty thousand words in thirty days seemed nuts. As a matter of fact when I first heard about NaNoWriMo two years ago that is just what I thought about it- crazy idea; who would even try? That was even though I’d written four full length novels. Those each took the better part of a year and sorry to say are still not publishing ready. 

I have no idea what compelled me to give it a go this year. Maybe 2020 has a good side too. I had a story idea, very basic, but it was something. Without any real passion for the story but just the pull of a challenge I typed the first words: “I’m named after my grandmother.” 

The marathon was on and 53k words and two days short of the end of the month later, I have a first draft that was exhilarating to write. There’s a lot of work to do. I bookmarked several places with “INSERT” and “CHANGE”. But I have found that pumping out a story rapidly staves off the story burnout that happened with the previous WIP. Another advantage is the tone and voice is consistent which is sometimes lost with writing a novel over a year’s time. I don’t know if I will ever do NaNoWriMo again. I’d like to think that this first time will be the last because I’ll be writing at the behest of an agent or publisher next year. If I can write a novel in thirty days without breaking a sweat (losing some sleep though and maybe straining my husband’s patience just a bit) I’m believing it can happen. Regardless, NaNoWriMo 2020 was a blast, something I won’t forget. “Strike while the iron is hot”. If inspiration takes you away, go with it. You might end up with a novel to your name.