NaNoWriMo

I've gone and done something reckless and foolhardy. I've signed up to NaNoWriMo for the first time.

For those not in the know, that's National Novel Writing Month. It should probably be called IntNoWriMo because there is a group right here in Essex holding parties and write-ins in the local library. Last year I resisted joining because I thought it was an American thing, but it seems that across the world there are people who have committed to write a full 50,000 word novel in a month.

Gulp. Now that I write it that seems like an awful lot. I should have signed up for Movember instead, it would probably be easier.

It's not the most convenient month for me, you see, because I will have to spend the first few days of it editing my forthcoming novel, No Escape. And I'm trying to finish two cross-stitch baby samplers for a friend. And I have a job, two blogs and three children, and a weekend away booked, and...  well, it's going to be tough, but I am determined to do it. I need to kick-start my writing, and I'm excited about the story I'll be working on.

I've left it rather to the last minute unfortunately by joining on 28th October. Whilst I can't start writing until 1st November, I could have spent the last couple of weeks outlining, plotting, researching, putting together a chronology or making character sketches. Instead I'll be winging it as best I can, but maybe that's part of the fun.

I'll be posting my word count at regular intervals, and since I'm writing a (gothic horror) book for older children, 50,000 words is actually the whole thing. So a month from now I may have a new novel to submit to my publisher. Wish me luck!