NaNoWriMo—A Weird But Wonderful Way to Get Started as a Writer!

In two weeks, the annual writing binge known as NaNoWriMo begins. 

Since I'm a writer who labors for a year or more over a novel, I was skeptical when I first heard of this, but I've learned over time that lots of writers find the process—in which you write a 50,000-word novel in a month!—to be a great exercise in creativity and freedom. It's a chance to kick the editor out the door—at least for four weeks—and just let the words flow.

There are lots of resources to help writers get organized, get started, find support and find a place to write. Come Write In promotes writing in libraries and independent bookstores. There are forums  on the NaNoWriMo website so writers can chat with others embarking on this month-long writing splurge! It's a great experience, so stimulating to some that they do it every year.

Be sure to check out the Young Writers Program, too! Young writers aim at a shorter novel length, but still one to be completed in thirty days. The countdown has begun!  If some of you decide to try it, I hope you'll report to the Patch on how it's going.