NaNoWriMo 2017

Well, it's that time of the year again....the time when writers (established and aspiring) come together to try to write a book in 30 days!

November is National Novel Writing Month, and this will be my 10th year participating. My first time was in 2007. I was a freshman in college, living in Seattle for the first time and still figuring out where I fit in my new community. A roommate of a friend heard that I like to write, and she asked if I had heard about NaNoWriMo (I hadn't).

She excitedly told me all about how in November, people try to write a book in 30 days. To "win", the book must be at least 50,000 words. The 30 day time constraint was supposed to encourage people to just write, because there would not be enough time to edit, or have much self-doubt. She made it seem like so much fun, and so incredibly possible that I just had to try it for myself.

I jumped right in. Between my homework assignments and social engagements, I would write. That first year, I only got to around 25,000 words before I gave up. But that was more than I had ever written before. I was proud of myself, and I was hooked.

I have participated in NaNoWriMo every year since. Some years I “won”, others I only got out a few thousand words before I gave up...But I always had fun! Participating helped me find my writing style, and like working out at the gym makes you stronger, the more I write, the better I become.

So if you have ever thought you could write a book, or you want to be a writer, or even if you want to try something new...sign up for free at www.nanowrimo.org. You can even add me as a friend so we can cheer each other on! (Username: JMDegamo)

Good luck, and happy writing!

-J. M. Degamo