10 Reasons to Write Your Novel in November

Why You Ought to Try

(and Succeed at) NaNoWriMo This Year

 

 

 

 

Hi! This is a reposting of  my very first blog entry, but I think it's timely! So, without further ado, I give you 10 reasons to get cracking on that book you've always wanted to write--and soon!

1. To prove to yourself that you can do it. Yes, it's a lot of words in a short time, but thousands of people succeed every year. Why not you? 
2. Being creative is good for you! Birds sing, trees make fruit, elephants paint (I saw it in the Weekly Reader!)...and they all seem quite content. Seriously, I am sure there is some happy brain chemical involved. There is nothing like spending time with your imaginary friends, making them fall in love, turn into hedgehogs, die of consumption, etc.
3. If no one else in your life cheers you on in your writing endeavors, the folks at NaNoWriMo will! There are plenty of forums on their website where you can find like-minded writers of whatever genre you fancy. You can even sign up to be mentored by an experienced wrimo. Or find out where to meet local wrimos & make some new friends in person (if you like that sort of thing!).
4. Bragging rights. I never met anyone who wasn't impressed when I said that I'd written a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. I am not sure if they were more impressed by my accomplishment or my level of lunacy, but I prefer not to ask.
5. You'll get a very cool certificate when you win. Printing out that certificate with my name and my book's name always gives me a thrill. It's like a diploma from the School of Author-ness, or one of those amusement park t-shirts: I Survived the Writhing Sea Monster Triple Looper Novel Coaster!
6. To inspire others. If you dare to make some art, maybe you will help someone else be brave enough to do the same.
7. It's fun. Mostly.
8. It's a good excuse to treat yourself to some good tea, chocolate, coffee, or whatever goodies you like. Call it writing fuel and enjoy!
9. Only you can write your story. If you don't let it out, it will never exist. You will deprive the universe of something that could change someone's life--something that would most certainly change yours.
10. This may be your only chance. Not to be morbid, but you never know what's around the corner. Zombies, giant cannibal babies, three-legged angry fruitcakes with rabies. You just never know.  Better head over to http://www.nanowrimo.org and sign up right away!!!
11. SUPER BONUS REASON! If you're serious, you can squeeze out a decent first draft of your Future Published Novel this year. Before Christmas. Possibly before Thanksgiving. My Nano novel from 2012 was just that--and went on to win the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award for Young Adult Fiction* (after several rewrites, of course). Your November book could be the opening of a new chapter in your life. Dream big, and then work hard. You can do it.

*You can find my book, The Mermaid's Sister, on Amazon.com.