I miss Preptober
October used to be filled with posts from writers preparing for NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month. All around the world, published and unpublished authors alike shared their strategies and gave each other encouragement for the challenge to come. It was inspiring to see so many creatives coming together to share their love of the written word. But since the dissolution of the NaNoWriMo organization, it seems a lot of that tradition has died.
I wasn’t an official particpant.
I’ve written about NaNoWriMo several times on this site, but if I’m being honest, I forgot there was an official organization at all. In the 8 or 9 years I participated in the challenge, I only went on the website a handful of times. I never went to any NaNo sponsored events (though I did invite some friends over to write) and I never came close to completing the challenge. Despite it all, I loved the buzz and sense of community that NaNoWritMo gave to writers each November.
There have been some attempts at revival.
Some previous WriMos have created their challenges and support groups to continue the legacy that NaNoWriMo’s founder, Chris Katy, started. Some, like NaNo2.0 are a direct spin-off, started by former NaNo employees (or so I’m told). Others, like StoryADay, carry the spirit of the original event, but with their own rules and flare.
November is inextriably tied to writing now.
I cannot think about November without thinking novels. The pen and keyword are as much a part of the month as turkey and pumpkin pie. I doubt I could ever ever truly override the impulse to write as the autumn leaves start to fall. And why would I ever want to?
All this is to say, I’m trying NaNo again.
And this time, it’s official: I even signed up for NaNo2.0. Will I succeed? Unlikely. Will I cheat? Possibly. Will I have fun? Undoubtably. Though I’ve never completed the challenge, it’s helped motivate me to continue working towards that goal. And isnt’ that the entire point?
*This post is not sponsored by NaNo2.0.
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