For writers unfamiliar with National Novel Writing Month or (NaNo for short), it has become a huge support group with participants from all over the world who try to meet the challenge to write their novels. Now a nonprofit, the organization still encourages writers to write a novel-at least 50,000 words of one-in one month. The challenge starts on the first of November, which means this year’s event is just around the corner.

If you have ever thought about writing a novel, but didn’t think you could, or didn’t think you had the time, now is your chance to give it serious consideration. You can visit the NaNoWriMo website to learn more or to register: http://nanowrimo.org/

Here are three reasons why I love it:

1. It’s fun. With the local chapters, write ins, goofy prompts, and crazy challenges, this is a great way to test the waters of novel writing. I didn’t think I had a novel in me and never would have known until I tried it. I did, and now I am thankful for the experience. I could actually write that many words in a month!
2. There’s no risk. You have nothing to lose by trying it. It costs no money. Only a dedication to seriously give it a try. (donations are greatly appreciated, however)
3. A sense of accomplishment. When you reach the 50k word mark, and let your buddies in your chapter know,  there’s nothing like it. You get almost a euphoric feeling afterward. And then, you have a great project to continue and edit. And maybe get published. Like I did.

You can go to write-ins, find buddies near you, set challenges and goals by the day or number of words, all kinds of things. My personal writing group emailed each other often with our progress. If someone was ahead, that spurred us on to catch up, and if we were the one ahead, we wanted to keep going. It’s a win-win process for getting the words down.

Each year that I tried it, I was determined to ‘win’. And I did. And each year, I finished on Thanksgiving or the day before. Because the day after is all about Christmas at my house. So that meant if Thanksgiving was early, I had less days to finish in time. I would have to go back and check a calendar, but I know one year I think the holiday was on the 23 or 24th. That was a lot of words flying that month!

Have you ever tried NaNoWriMo? How did it go? Share with us in the comments.

~~Michelle