NaNoWriMo is the National Novel Writing Month during November. It’s something I’ve always wanted to divulge myself into, but have always found excuses to not partake. This year, I actually wanted to get involved, but between work, helping folk move, and amongst other little things, I told myself to not get stressed over missing NaNoWriMo, and just do it again next year.

However, I really want to get this novel written and “next year” is only a month away. So my compromise to myself was to set thirty days aside between January and February and go at it for a full-month. So I’ve decided to start my own personal NanoWriMo.

“Why are you telling us this, Derek?”

During the month of November, writers from across the globe are there, supporting one-another to get their novels done. There’s a lot of peer support between other writers and for a month – writers become a tight-knit community. Even though I did not partake, I found myself supporting writers I knew involved in NaNoWriMo.

Why I’m telling you this because I feel as long as someone reads this, I know that that one person will hold me accountable for writing a story. That’s right. I want to be held accountable for achieving this goal. If I keep Facebook or UncannyDerek.com updates daily, you folk will know where I am in my novel, and in return, if I do not accomplish my goal, I will not be satisfied. I’m sort of setting myself up with a deadline so that I won’t let any of you down.

Traditionally, NaNoWriMo requires a minimum of 50,000 words – the length of a “standard” novel. I plan on easily surpassing that goal, but I refuse to give myself a word limit.

As for what the story is about, I’ll keep that a secret until I’m ready to announce it. As for the people whom have heard my other novel ideas in the past – this will be an entirely different concept, so it’s brand new for everyone.

I’ve rebooted my story four times now. FOUR times. ~20k+ words per version down the drain because I was dissatisfied with how it was going.

“What’s to stop you from doing this again?”

In NaNoWriMo, you have a word count to make in thirty days. That means there’s little-to-no time to sit back, reflect, and edit what you’ve done. That’s what has killed my other novel ideas in the past: I could sit with them and think about their direction and what I could improve or remove. With NaNoWriMo, I will not have the time for that. Yay. From the completion of the novel, I’ll then edit it and change whatever I want. I just need it written down first.

My plans are to start on Wednesday, January 4th, 2012, and be completed by Friday, February 3rd, 2012.

There will be a massive consumption of tea in those thirty days. Please provide supplies.

Most importantly, wish me luck.

I know both you and I are counting on me.

Let’s finish this.