turbo A year ago, I reported how it feels like every time NaNoWriMo comes around I’m in the editing phase. That was true, for some weird reason, a few years running. I know what you’re thinking – that it was just an excuse and I could have stopped editing and dashed off a new 50,000 word manuscript that month before returning to my work in progress. Actually, you might be right and that did occur to me as a way to participate.  But I’ve also figured in the past that it probably made more sense to get the new book done and out there as soon as possible, especially since I didn’t have that many, even if it meant missing out on all the fun. Which might also be interpreted as meaning I was intimidated at the prospect of writing that much in 30 days and afraid of not meeting the goal. I’m going with I needed to finish my edits since this is my blog.

In the past, I’ve also written more slowly so writing 50,000 words seemed much more intimidating. While it seems like a couple of years ago I would have been happy with a 500-word day, these days I’m shooting for more like 2,000 each day (yesterday was especially productive with over 3,000). That’s not to say it’s not a lot of work to write a first draft of a novel in 30 days. I’d still consider that a pretty amazing achievement. But nowadays I might finish a draft in two to three months when it used to take me half a year or even more.

Anyway, fast forward a year and November rolls around again (okay, it’s closer to ending but I meant to write this post weeks ago). I suddenly realize that, this time around, I’m actually in the writing phase for once. So, technically (if unofficially) I guess I’ve been participating in NaNoWriMo! One minor problem, though – I started work in October so I’ve sort of been cheating since I was already around 10,000 words in. Then it occurred to me that if I can hit a goal of 60,000 words by month’s end I’ll have finally joined the party. Will that happen? Maybe. I mean, it could since I’m at 44,000 words now. Then again, I might realize that the book concludes at a slightly shorter word count. Would that be cheating too?

I’ll be sure to post here if I make my goal. If I don’t, I absolutely won’t post anything here since I’ll feel like a loser but you’ll still be able to read between the lines (of course, I’ll be hoping no one notices). All of this was to say that, for the first time ever, I’m participating in NaNoWriMo. Sort of, while cheating. But I’m with you in spirit, guys! And, honestly, good luck to everyone out there who truly is participating. I admire you.