I Write a Novel Every November, and You Should, Too!

ifnotnowwhen

create

onceuponatime

whatsyourstory

Every November first, I sit down at my computer and begin a seemingly impossible task: to write a novel in one month. That’s the challenge ofNational Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), 50,000 words in 30 days. The challenge is not for the faint of heart, and at first glance most would call it crazy. It is crazy, but that’s also part of the appeal. What would it mean if you could do the impossible?This is my sixth year participating in NaNoWriMo. Though I’ve lost the challenge more times than I’ve won, here are some of the reasons I still come back to it every year, and why I encourage others—even those who don’t consider themselves writers—to take it on.It Teaches CourageWhat would it mean to silence the voices in your head that say, “This dream is not practical” or “What’s the point?” What would it mean to be able to do something purely out of joy, instead of worrying about if you will fail or what others will think of you? I’ve heard people compare NaNoWriMo to climbing a mountain, and, just like trekking up a steep slope, facing those voices of doubt takes a certain amount of courage. You’ve probably heard the adage, or some version of it, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear” (Franklin D. Roosevelt).The challenge of NaNoWriMo asks us to confront our fears, and do it anyway. One of the most liberating things about NaNoWriMo is the ability to let go of fear and perfectionism. Yes, perfectionism is fear’s dancing partner. It convinces us that we shouldn’t even try if we can’t do it perfectly. It convinces us to give up when things don’t go our way. NaNoWriMo forces you to throw perfectionism out the window. To win, you must turn off what writers call your “editing brain.” Editing is for December, but you can’t edit something you don’t have. The challenge is 50,000 words, not 50,000 perfect words, not a complete, publishable novel. The challenge is simply to begin. You are fully encouraged to make mistakes, break the rules, and write terribly. No one, not even famous authors, gets it right on the first draft. To let yourself begin is to be open to the experiment and the journey. What might you begin if you could face the fear and do it anyway?It Creates a HabitWhen you first look at the 50,000 word goal, it seems insurmountable, but break that down into a daily routine and it comes out to a little under 1,700 words per day. That’s still a serious amount of words, but it’s much more manageable. It feels possible. It’s the same with any large dream. You don’t tackle it all at once; you take incremental steps every day. This need to accumulate and keep track of daily goals forces a daily writing habit. Most writers, and I would venture to say professionals in any field, will tell you that the key to mastery is making your passion a daily habit. Write, sing, paint, do whatever it is you dream, a little every day.The daily habit does two things. At the same time that it gets you closer to your goal, it also reinforces the importance of your goal and its priority in your life. Often we think of our dreams and passions as unrealistic or “not practical,” and so we don’t allow ourselves the time or space necessary to truly cultivate those gifts. When we do even a little every day, it forces us to find the time, make the space, and tell ourselves that our dreams are worthy and even necessary.You’ll Find Your TribePracticing your passion every day is thrilling, but doing it alongside hundreds of thousands of other people is intoxicating. There is a collective momentum fueled by shared enthusiasm, commitment and camaraderie that develops when you participate in something as part of a larger community. The NaNoWriMo community is amazing. It stretches across the globe, with large national events and small local meetups, and participants in every corner of the world. That momentum is something I rely on every year to get through some major projects that might take a year to complete otherwise.In the middle of November, when the excitement of the first week has waned and there are still 40,000 words to go, I check in on the forums or participate in a Twitter chat with other wrimos, those who also are climbing the mountain.Those are my people. A tribe is a wonderful thing. It’s a support system, a cheering squad, a resource, a place to contribute. Facing your fears and investing in a passion paves the way for others to do the same.At DP Life we like to say that each person is a unique expression of our Heavenly Parent. NaNoWriMo’s version of that is “The World Needs Your Story.” Every person has something unique to offer. Your story is one that only you can tell. So I challenge you, whether through NaNoWriMo, a similar program, or a challenge of your own making, to tell your story in whatever way you need to tell it. That thing that is burning up inside you is a gift from God. It is your offering to the world. The world needs your unique perspective, your joy and your passion. So what are you waiting for? NaNoWriMo is only a few days away, and it’s never too late to start! Come find me on the site; I would love more writing buddies!!