November is here, which means it’s time for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) once again—a global event where writers challenge themselves to craft a 50,000-word novel in just 30 days. For those unfamiliar, NaNoWriMo (nanowrimo.org) brings together writers from all walks of life, uniting them with the ambitious goal of pushing creative boundaries, shedding self-doubt, and getting words on the page.
Last year, I dove headfirst into NaNoWriMo with my novel An Unregistered Male. Starting on November 1st, I hit the 50k-word goal by month’s end and dedicated most of December to completing an additional 20k words to bring the story to its natural, rounded conclusion. It was an intense, exhilarating journey—an experience every writer should try at least once.
This year, my NaNoWriMo focus is on A Warrior’s Heart: The Promise, a novel that’s been simmering in my imagination for some time. But it won’t be as straightforward this year! I’ll have limited time to write through the early part of November since I’ll be diving deep into referee training for the Yoon’s Hapkido tournament. On top of that, I’ll be lending a hand at the Man UP Master Mind event (manupmastermind.ca). It’s going to be a bit of a juggling act to manage everything, but my commitment to NaNoWriMo is unwavering.
For anyone joining NaNoWriMo, here are a few tips that have helped me stay on track:
- Set Daily Goals: With a 50k-word goal for the month, aim to write about 1,667 words per day. Even if life gets busy, this structure makes it easier to track your progress.
- Write First, Edit Later: NaNoWriMo is about momentum, not perfection. Embrace the spirit of creativity and worry about the editing process once you’ve reached the end.
- Stay Inspired with Community: Connect with other writers, whether through local meetups, online groups, or NaNoWriMo’s own forum. Having a community makes all the difference!
- Visualize the Finish Line: Imagine the joy and accomplishment you’ll feel when you hit that 50,000-word mark. Let that vision pull you through the tougher days.
November may be a whirlwind, but it’s a beautiful reminder of what we can accomplish with dedication, focus, and a willingness to leap into the unknown. Here’s to all of us embarking on this journey—may the words flow freely and the story unfold with ease!
