NaNoWriMo is not a challenge to be taken on alone, though the writing of it is, obviously, a very individual activity. Anyone who has written before, especially anyone who has taken on a large writing project, knows that having support is incredibly important.
A few things. First, support doesn’t have to come in the form of writing with people and it doesn’t even mean discussing your project with other people. Second, and so hugely important in 2020, support doesn’t (and for me will not) have to be in the form of getting together with people in person at all. On the NaNoWriMo website, writers can create a profile and regularly update their progress on their writing project. Writers can friend other writers on the site who are participating in the challenge and send messages supporting each other along the way. No matter whether a writer chooses to connect with others on the NaNoWriMo website or to write virutally with a friend or not, no writer embarks on this journey alone because we are all taking on the challenge together.
Last week, I set up my word count stickers in my planner and double-checked my document. I didn’t feel the call to do any other prep work, so I didn’t force it. This will be the least amount of prep work I’ve done for a NaNoWriMo challenge, and I’m both excited and nervous and what that means. If it were a completely new universe I were entering, I think I’d be a lot more nervous. This week I’m going to enjoy the nights free of word count goals and get excited for November first to roll around.
Whether you’re taking on the NaNoWriMo challenge, taking a break from writing in general, or mellowing between projects, I’m glad we’re all here to support each other in the journey. Also, in case you haven’t been told today, you are more than enough.
Happy Writing!
Nikole Breault 