November is a really idiotic month to write a novel. It’s clear to me that the people who started National Novel Writing Month were not married at the time, had no responsibilities whatsoever for the upcoming holidays, and were probably living in their mom’s basement.

However, complain as I might, November is the month, and the motivation that the group project provides is worth the trouble. But for an ESTJ, I can somehow be a big rule-breaker. I like to do things my way. Last year, I used Nanowrimo to finish Rites of Passage. (A big no-no according to the rules, but a smashing success for me.)

This time, I’ll be starting early. In addition to holiday insanity, I’ll be going on a cruise to the Western Carribean in November and though I’m contemplating bringing my laptop I don’t anticipate doing work. So, Nanowrimo starts for me, today. Here’s my progress so far on my new book, the working title of which is Primary Partners:

981 / 50,000 (2.0%)

If the Nanowrimo Police want to arrest me, I am my own lawyer.

For the past four or five years, I’ve wanted to join with other writers in the National Novel Writing Month contest, but I’ve always had other writing commitments.  This year, I’m just as busy, but I really want to try out this method of writing.

I have a tendency to be a perfectionist and I’m often unable to put away my internal editor while in composition mode.  The rules of the National Novel Writing Month contest, or NANOWRIMO, force a short deadline, and a wordcount upon you as an author.  You don’t have time to edit.  You only have time to compose.

I’ve never tried this method before, and I like to stretch myself and grow as a writer.  So, this year, I’ve signed up.  Fifty-thousand words by the end of November or bust.