Camp NaNoWriMo

Some of my newer readers might not know this, but in November of last year I took part in the NaNoWriMo challenge... and failed. At least, according to them. My word counter showed that I was well over 50,000 words, but theirs however, did not. Which sadly, left me without a shiny badge of completion. Not that I'm complaining or anything...

Sorry, I'm getting a little ahead of myself. Allow me to explain. NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month, which takes place in November. The challenge is to write a 50,000 word novel in just thirty days. And let me to tell you, it is quite the challenge. Especially for someone as concise as myself. But, I wanted to try it. I thought it would shake up my writing routine and challenge me to just free flow write. It sounded like a great opportunity to shut off my inner critic and write like a fiend for thirty days.

And it was! Despite the difficulty, I loved it! As it turns out, having an online display of my word count is a powerful motivator. There was something so utterly divine about logging on and updating that number. Ah, the delicious feeling of accomplishment. Of course, it's also incredibly high stress (especially if you already have a full time job). Did I always handle it like a champ? No. (Let's just say there was a lot of complaining. To my husband, my family, this blog and anyone else that would listen). But would I do it again? Absolutely! And guess what? I am!

That's right! I signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo! This is the first time they're doing it in the summer, and they're doing it in both June and August. So, if you can't make it this time, you can always do it in August. I'm so excited about this round. I think I really have a chance of completing it this time. For one thing, I have a much more solid plot idea. And now that I already know how much time and effort it entails, I'm more prepared than last time. And I swear, this time I will not complain nearly as much to you guys. I'll put it all on my husband, don't worry. (Honey, if you're reading this, I apologize profusely in advance for how bad it'll get near the end. You know what stress does to my mood).

So hopefully by the end of this month I'll have a completed rough draft of a novel, a shiny badge of honour from Camp NaNoWriMo and a husband that still loves me. (I kid! Don't worry honey, I won't get that bad... probably). What about the rest of you? Are there any other Camp NaNoWriMo contenders out there?