Normally around this time of year I would be preparing for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) by getting my outline together and doing the research necessary. However, I am not participating in NaNoWriMo this year and really I am a bit saddened by it. I feel in some ways, because I have done it every year since I have heard about it, that I am letting myself down by not doing it but I just don’t think that I can commit to it this year as I do every other year. I don’t have my outline completed for the novel I want to do and I haven’t even begun the research and on top of that, I am not quite finished with the novel I started last year during NaNoWriMo.
So to make myself feel a little better about not being able to fully commit to NaNo this year I have decided that I will use the time during NaNoWriMo to focus more on a novel that I have completed (a couple of years ago) and pitching it to agents and also pitching article ideas around to various magazines and newspapers and also working on my Write 2 Be magazine that is set to launch in January of 2013. I guess it would also be a good idea if I finish up the novel from last year’s NaNoWriMo.
With all of that I think that I will be pretty busy during the month of November even without having a new novel to focus on. If you too are a person who traditionally participates in NaNoWriMo and will also not be able to this year, don’t dwell on what it is you can’t do. Instead come up with another plan of something else within your writing that needs to get done that you can place your focus on. I plan on still making the best out of this NaNoWriMo doing a lot of things with my writing that I have been putting off and just can’t put off any more.
Jimmetta Carpenter
Writer/Editor
The Diary: Succession of Lies (Now Available)
Writing as “Jaycee Durant”
http://unpleasantlyplump.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jimmetta-Carpenter/1069480310
Write 2 Be 
Well, at least you’re putting the energy you would have ploughed into NaNoWriMo into something equally productive, it seems, so it’s all good. 😀
I’ve really enjoyed reading several of your posts. This will be my first year doing NaNoWriMo. Also in response to a previous post of yours. I’m a lot older then you, so never worry about things when it kicks you in the butt. Never give up your dreams, I haven’t. For the first time in my life I am actively pursuing a career in writing.
http://jlroeder.wordpress.com
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. It helps to hear the those words that motivate me to keep going and to not even think about giving up. Thanks again.
I always love your posts, and I love NaNoWriMo and if you cant do November maybe you can aim for Camp NanowriMo which is the same site with a bit of a fun twist, going both in June and August.
Thank you. I believe that I probably will do it in June and/or August. I also plan on doing other writerly things in November to make up for not doing a novel. I think that I am going to get a calendar and put particular things to focus on daily to work on the other things I need to accomplish within my writing career. Thank you for your kind words and your encouragment.
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