NaNoWriMo, aka National Novel Writing Month, kicks off in less than 48 hours and the writing community is abuzz. I don't participate in NaNo every year and I've never managed to meet the 50k target, but regardless of whether I'm deep in the trenches or watching from the sidelines this time of year gets me so inspired. Writing is often a solitary pursuit and NaNo helps remind us that we're part of a thriving, bustling community.
This year, I am participating and I'm hoping to hit 50,000 words. I'm going to be a bit of a rebel, though, and instead of writing a new novel I'm determined to finish my work in progress. I've been working on my historical fiction novel, tentatively titled The Darkest Shade of Light, since 2015. I've been editing as I go (note to self: NEVER again!), have done two major rewrites and have tweaked the plot more times than I can count ... but I've never actually finished it. I know exactly how I want it to end, but I've yet to write out those last few chapters. I'm so ready to type THE END and move on to formal revisions - and new projects!
At this point, I think my historical manuscript needs at least another 30,000 words. Assuming I can hit 30k before the end of the month, I plan to spend the rest of November working on essays about infertility for a memoir project I have brewing. Between completing my manuscript and cranking out a few new essays, I should be able to hit the 50,000 word mark. Let's do this!
Update on November 6th: Okay guys, disregard everything I said above about working on my historical fiction novel. Long story short .. I need a mental health break from that project. It's set during the 1930s and is about an interracial family's struggle during the rise of fascism in Nazi Germany. It's a dark story, a heavy story, and writing it has been emotionally draining. After the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh on October 27th, I needed a break from it. Writing has always been an escape for me; a way for me to slip away from the hardships of real life and lose myself in fiction. I have every intention of completing The Darkest Shade of Light in the new year, but decided to work on something playful and whimsical and fun for the month of November. I'm happy to report that I am writing the Middle Grade novel of my heart, and am almost 9k words in.
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