To NaNo, or Not to NaNo

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo or NaNo, for short) when writers – both hobby writers and those who hope for publication one day – take the challenge to write 50,000 words in one month. I’ve done NaNo before. I’ve done my own version of NaNo (which is, at least to me, just setting the 50K goal on a non-November month. For example, I did that in July and August this summer, with the end being my 2nd novel – currently in editing – and hoping for a June-ish release.)  It’s a doable thing, the 50,000 words. What I love best about it is that it really does push you to sit down and write every day. (There are days that’s hard – life keeps cropping up and laundry must get done, etc.)

I’m trying to decide if I’m going to participate this year. On the one hand, a software program I’ve been toying with looking into offers a pretty decent discount if you successfully complete NaNo. On the other hand, November is a busy month with the end of the two programming classes I’m currently teaching, Thanksgiving, and the start of a 120-day through the Bible reading plan that I’m starting with some Facebook friends. Throwing those things on top of my normal to-do list…I’m not sure NaNo is anything other than setting myself up for extreme stress.

The thing is, though, I’ve been a bit of a slacker on the writing front lately. Granted, I have been editing, but I have a novella I really want to get written and polished before too much more time passes and I have some other little writing projects that have cropped up that I need to start and the idea for the 3rd in the Grant Us Grace series has finally solidified enough that it’s worth starting to write now. So the motivation to write every day is much needed.

What to do.