NaNo and me

This is NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), and many people are participating.

As anyone who knows me knows, I live NaNo all the time. I work full-time, I volunteer A LOT, and in order for me to accomplish any writing, I have to be disciplined and schedule in my writing time. I wrote 3 books this year and I'm almost done with the 4th. So yeah, I know NaNo.

What I did this year was really beneficial. I set publishing goals for NaNo month -- things like "take time to think about next year and promotions" and "decide on that mystery series you wrote and where to publish it" and "what about your back list and how to manage it."

So in between writing, I'm thinking and drawing up plans, the same way other NaNoites are doing with their novels. It's been so useful for me -- I gave myself permission to step away from the creative keyboard and focus on the business keyboard, so to speak. Sure, I could have done this any other time, but being in NaNo with other writers, stating my goals to them, and tracking our progress, has really helped.

Now I just have to follow through on some of the ideas I'm formulating -- the hard part, really. But it's nice to know that I do have a plan of sorts. And the month isn't over yet. Who knows what else I'll cook up in the remaining time?

J L
(jayellwilson.com)