How NaNoWriMo Lit a Fire Under My Butt

This is my first year participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and let me tell you, it's been an experience so far. I started a little late, on November 3rd, and have missed four or five days of writing due to busyness and/or migraines. I'm not racking up the word count by 3-4k a day like some others, but I'm WRITING AGAIN. And that's the most important thing.

After approximately 17 total writing days, I have written 28,000 words. I have never written so much so fast in my life. NaNo has taught me to get out of my own head and let the characters' voices take over. No editing, no back-tracking, no overthinking. It's been amazing, not to mention a learning experience for me. I know now, more than ever, that writing is what I'm meant to do. I love every minute of my job and I'm so grateful I get to devote my days to something that fulfills me and makes me so happy.

As for the novel itself, I'm thoroughly enjoying it. The more books I write, the easier the words flow. The book is rough right now, and I may not love everything I've written, but the bones are there. This one is different from anything I've ever done and includes a particular element that I've never seen before in contemporary (or any) YA. This is the part I think I'm having the most fun creating. I also love my protagonist, who is outgoing, extroverted, unique, and a little nutty. It's fun writing someone who is SO unlike me (except for the nutty part).

Only a week to go before NaNo ends. I probably won't reach the 50k goal, but that's okay. The way I'm going, it's possible I might finish this before Christmas. For someone who usually takes about 6-10 months to write a first draft, completing one in two months would be quite the accomplishment.

Thanks for the kick-start, NaNo. I think I may see you again next year.