I'll Think of a Catchy Title Later

This Halloween, I’m going to try something very scary.  

For the past four years, I have somewhat religiously participated in a month-long event called National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo.  The idea is a simple, the task daunting: write a complete novel, 50,000 words or more, from start to finish in the month of November.

In years past, I have used this like a tool, rather than the launching point for an actual literary project.  NaNo is a chance to sharpen my writing through sheer volume.  Once, I took a minor character from a novel I was working on, and fleshed out his backstory.  Another time, I wrote a series of stories about barely-veiled people I know, and my imagined interactions and adventures with them.

Last year, I wrote a fiction that I am working on turning into an actual novel, though the current iteration bears little resemblance to the piece I completed on November 30, 2017.

For this year’s NaNo, which starts in a few days, I want to try something terrifying: I am going to share my writing as it happens, in this space.  I want to do this for a couple of reasons:

First, as my regular readers surely know, I have an output issue.  Note, I did not say an output problem.  I take what I refer to as the Mr. Ed approach to blogging: I never speak unless I have something to say.  I do not write just for the hell of it- any time a piece appears in this space, it is because I felt that my words should be heard.

While I stand by that minimalist approach, I also recognize that my public writing will improve with practice, and as the months-long gaps in this record reveal, I could use more of that.

Another reason I want to post my raw NaNo output is to get over my fear of imperfection.  Most of my blog posts are painstakingly edited to remove typos, improve word choice, and make things more concise.  I don’t mind admitting, I’m scared to death of having my raw writing out there for scrutiny and judgment, which is exactly why I should give it a try.

So, for those of you who subscribe, safe in the assurance that I will only darken your inbox infrequently, this might be a good opportunity to reevaluate your choices.  I’ll go back to my signature Mr. Ed approach in December, but until then, expect daily posts.

I simply ask that you reserve any criticism, and keep in mind that what I will share is rough and unedited.  Chapters may post out of order- NaNo is a beast, and I have to find word count where and how I can.

I am also planning to incorporate a weird rule while I write, which will affect every chapter: if you spot it, let me know.  I kind of hope you don’t.

To help set the tone, I have written this in one sitting, and will post without re-reading.  Hoo boy.  🙂

Thank you for your patience, and see you on the other side.

-AG