Yes, yes, I’m ridiculously excited about this year’s NaNoWriMo. Why? Partly because it is the first year that I’m competing in NaNoWriMo as an actual writer — as in, my business cards proclaim I am a writer therefore it must be true — as well as the fact that this is the first year that I’m actually preparing for the damned thing instead of waiting until October 30th and going, “Huh… NaNo’s up in a day or so. Should I participate?”
Of course, folks have their reservations and criticisms about NaNoWriMo. The most common of these would be that 50,000 words worth of crap writing does not a novel make. Plus, I seriously question anyone who would think that what they have as of November 30 at 11:59PM to be their finished masterpiece, ready to be bundled off and sent as manuscripts to various publishing houses.
So why look forward to it?
For me, it is a nice kick in the pants. I am one of the lucky ones who can dedicate whatever free time I have this year to the project, something I just did not have before. The story I’m choosing to write this year is one that is near and dear to my heart, part of a huge universe which has been under development for the better part of 4 years. So yes, I am excited to finally, after all this time and planning, challenge myself to write something in the hopes of having it ready to shop to agents or publishers by Q2 of next year.
It will be interesting to see what comes of this. I just can’t wait!!
