It's NaNoWriMo Season!
A good number of folks here on Substack participate in NaNoWriMo every year. I feel like I’m in good company. If you’re new to this concept, here’s the basic idea:
National Novel Writing Month happens every November. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Those words might end up as a novel. They might never get published. They could launch your career. They could hide secretly on the bookshelf between the beat-up folder of hand-written recipes and your kids’ favorite weeknight board game (like Unstable Unicorns).
Whatever you choose to write can mean everything or nothing. For me, the process and the community are the real reason I’m participating. And yes, the pressure helps me devote a little more time to this thing that I love doing.
What did I write last year? I’m so glad you asked…
Fiction. Dystopian fiction. Queer dystopian fiction. Queer post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction.
And yeah, I’ve been afraid to say on my own damn Substack that I enjoy writing fiction. How silly is that? I haven’t even told you that I’ve created a sub-page here to start posting my own fiction. Because that’s scary. And no, it’s not open yet. No, I haven’t even posted anything in it. But yes, it exists. And so does the potential to do something with it. And now that I mentioned it, maybe I finally can.
What am I going to write this year?
Hell. I don’t really know yet. Maybe I’ll finish last year’s novel. Maybe I’ll start fleshing out that newer idea I started toying with.
Or maybe I’ll actually work on that memoir I’ve been secretly creating in my head for over a year.
What is my process?
Do not edit.
That’s pretty much it. For an entire month I just set aside a lump of time in each day to write. It doesn’t matter if the content is good. I do not spend time going back over anything. Don’t edit, don’t second guess, don’t doubt. Put words on paper. Anything counts.
Success in NaNo is entirely subjective. Just deciding to participate is a win. I already feel like I’ve done something epic by declaring my desire to write out loud.
What will YOU write?
Well I can’t wait to find out! If you’re joining the fun, come find me. Tell me about your project, and share in the excitement!
Your trans friend (and fellow NaNo writer),
Robin
NaNoWriMooooo!!!! I've never finished a NaNoWriMo, but I plan to this year! I'm so excited to hear more about what you end up working on (and last year's book!). I'm working on a cozy, hopeful trans werewolf novel about community that may swing young adult, may swing adult, who knows!