Love it or Hate it, National Novel Writing Month is Back

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Yes, National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo) begins today.

What is it? You have thirty days to write 50,000 words.   Crazy, right?

It is old hat for me.  And as such, I decided to give it another go this year–for a fourth time (I’ve “won” each of the past three times).  Read why decided to try again after the break.

Why try NaNoWriMo for a fourth time?

I just got back from a week long trip to Disney world (hence the photo of the Mickey Mouse soap above), and I decided I wanted to take a stab at a humorous “travel memoir.”

Wait, aren’t you already re-writing a novel?

Yep. But, I need to get this stuff out of my head, and NaNoWriMo is a great excuse.  I really wanted to write about a summer trip I took for last year’s challenge, and I did not–and I’ve regretted it ever since.  I need to write this stuff while it is still fresh.  Yes, I took a decent amount of notes, but I didn’t write down everything.

…Wait, this is going to be nonfiction?

Sort of.  Maybe.  I dunno.  It may be closer to satire. Maybe a satirical memoir?  I don’t know.  I hate labels.

My girlfriend and I did spend six days at Disney World, and I took notes.  I may just play it safe and say it is “based on actual events,” but I don’t see it being serious nonfiction (I am anything but serious).  If you want “real” nonfiction, read a cookbook.

Swinging more towards fiction may just be a bit safer for my girlfriend and I (to “protect the innocent” and such).

I have a hard time labeling something when I’ve only written 2,000 words.

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There is a pretty clear divide among some of my writer friends when it comes to NaNoWriMo.  They either like it (or at least approve of the concept), or hate it. I wouldn’t have a finished novel and bit of a freelance writing career without it, so everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I like the challenge of meeting a deadline and proving myself, and that’s why I like National Novel Writing Month.

And like I said, I just need to get this stuff out of my head on into a *shudder* Word document.  If I like what I see, I can keep it, or just show to friends and family.  At least I’ll know, and I won’t be wondering what if like I have been since last year.

Are you taking part in National Novel Writing Month?