NaNoWriMo

November is National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo. Anyone who wants to can attempt to write a 50,000-word novel during the 30 days of November, receiving ongoing encouragement and commiseration from the folks at NaNoWriMo.org and other participants. My Fat Plum partners Cindy Closkey and Judith Burnett Schneider have both made it to the hallowed Winners Page in past years. I always thought they were crazy; it was all I could do to keep my novel-in-progress progressing, let alone stop and crank out a brand new one. But this year, with Maharishiville complete, I find myself thinking why not?

I of course answer with a bunch of reasons why not — including the facts that I’m traveling for 10 days in November and only have the smallest nugget of an idea for a plot. Plus, past attempts at forcing myself to do something (give up sugar, start rising before dawn) have been met with self-sabotaging mutiny. It seems I don’t like to be told what to do, even by myself.

Still, despite all the many excuses for not trying and reasons I might fall short of completing the endeavor, I feel a perky bubble of potential in my chest. I find myself thinking … maybe. (Hey, I’ve got a week to decide. Stay tuned.)