This year, NaNoWriMo will have a different look with more accessibility than ever before!
As I write this, it’s almost September, which means that National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, is just around the corner! NaNoWriMo takes place every November and this year is no different, despite the ravages of COVID-19. I’m super stoked for another chance to write 50,000 words in one month, which isn’t really enough to be a novel, more like a novelette, but it is a heck of a good start!
The people that run NaNoWriMo have decided that everything will be virtual this year. That’s fine by me, since we are living in a virtual world these days. It will also make it super easy for people who could not participate at in-person meetings – there are "home regions" every writer can sign up with for opportunities to write in a group – to virtually meet their fellow writers and write together over the Internet. Just think of it. This year, anyone can join any chapter from anywhere in the world! That is exhilarating! I am also looking forward to online opportunities that we haven’t had before, such as writing workshops and nightlong write-ins that were near to impossible to organize when we were meeting in person.
This year will be special for me for another reason. It will be the first year that I’ll be helping lead my regional chapter, as a co-ML (Municipal Liaison). This is an honor for me. It also means extra work on my part, but it will be wholly worth the effort. I love writing and I love working with others who love writing, too. I am in awe of the craft of fiction, the process of putting words together and seeing the stories come to life. I love giving life to characters who fill my head and continually whisper in my ear their tales of adventure, courage and longing. It’s like traveling, without the expense: getting to visit foreign lands, meet new people and learn all about them, experiencing their worlds right along with them, whenever I want to.
I encourage everyone to try NaNoWriMo, at least once. Even if you don't sign up officially, try writing a 50,000 word story in one month. You'll be surprised at what comes out. I truly believe we each have at least one good book in us, we just need to write it down.