Nanowrimo Reload

 Yes, I write Nanowrimo. each year.  This is my third year and to tell you the truth, I sorely wish it was my tenth.  The books I could already pack into my suitcases sadden me when I think of how they're still locked in my heart or my brain, whichever is the closest to my keyboard at any given moment.

I won my first Nanowrimo in 2007, clocking in at the I-barely-made-it-but-I'm-thrilled word count of 50,183.  The book is an as yet untitled sci-fi about a future earth where computers rule and humans are blissfully ignorant.  Ok, ok, an old theme, but I believe I put enough new angles and thought into it to make it viable.  I have not gone back and done the writing it still needs to be complete.

Last year, 2008, I 'lost' Nanowrimo by keying only 36,000 words.  Not a shabby word count in many writer's worlds, but not enough to qualify as a bonafide winner.  I use Nanowrimo as a tool to produce work.  In fact, last year and this I vowed to go into Nano withan outline witha goal of a workable manuscript to hit the road running with in December.

Writing outlines remains one of my most ardent nemesis', plaguingmy writing with holes and time sequences that need help as well as changing my lead character's name multiple times throughout the book.

I took a day off on Saturday, November 14 for my oldest daughter's 28th birthday.  After all, I had 25,000 words in already which actually gave me the ability to take Sunday off as well.  The fifteenthis halfway through the month and 25,000 is halfway to Nanowrimo victory.

Boy am I glad I sat down to write today (Sunday).  The difficulty getting started nearly had me giving up.  My wife going out of town leaving me with the four children, football, an abscessed tooth and a small bout of nausea all combined to derail my writing ambition for today.

The first Nano I entered and won, my daily word count was all over the place.  I had a 7,000 word day, a couple 5,000 word days and even one 10,000 word day.  I also had a good number of zero word days. 

This year, I am proving to myself I can be consistent.  I have averaged over 2,000 words per day up until yesterday.  This is critically important to me as a writer.  I must know that I can produce writing output daily, as I am entering into some freelance situations that will call for that type of discipline.

Like I said, I use Nanowrimo as a tool.  This year Nano will not only hand me a book, it will prove my own capabilities to me.  I know I can do this, but there's nothing like experience to prop up your confidence.

One thing I've learned already, do not rest on your laurels.  Just because you are ahead of the game, don't get complacent.  Do not take time off.  Keep at your work until it's complete.  There'll be plenty of time off waiting for you at the end.

Forcing myself behind the keyboard slipped my back into the swing - back on the snide.  I flirted with disaster taking that day off.  Learning a valuable lesson from Nano has become an enriching experience.  If you push yourself as a writer, there is no telling where you might end up.  Nanowrimo, if you take it seriously, will push you.

Thank you Nanowrimo for all you do to inspire me!