A few weeks ago, I mentioned the exciting contest of writing a novel in 30 days during  National Novel Writing Month. Well, registration is now open. If you’re reading this and you’ve got a story that’s just itching to be told (that’s how we talk in The South!), then I hope you’ll sign up and join thousands of others for this challenge.

In just a few weeks, NaNoWriMo begins. That’s the abbreviation for National Novel Writing Month. This event evolved in 1999, when a group of writers decided they needed inspiration and a way to support one another to keep writing. They organized a contest that focused on nothing more than writing. Okay, and a bit of cajoling and screaming. That year, there were 21 participants and 6 winners. In 2005, there were 59,000 participants and 9769 winners! The fever is rampant, now . . . and this year proves to be an even bigger event. And it all begins November 1^st.

 Basically, the challenge is this: Starting on November 1^st you begin your writing project (a 175 page novel). Write like a fiend every day. And at the end of November, have a completed first draft of at least 50,000 words.

Will it be great writing? I seriously doubt it. In fact, they pretty much tell you to expect it to be bad writing. The whole point of this contest is to get writers to write, to stop procrastinating, and to finish a manuscript. What a ‘novel’ idea! Pun intended. By lowering our expectations, we can more easily give ourselves permission to write. This is the time to let your Creative Self emerge and have his or her time to play. After November 30^th, you can switch hats and give the red marker to your other “self,” the Editor.

Will it be exciting? Undoubtedly.

The competition is heating up, and people are now signing up to be a part of this great movement. Let’s face it. Writing is pretty much a solitary business, and it gets lonely in there . . . where you are . . . plugging away on a keyboard (or writing on a pad). The site has a great support team that will have daily postings, a forum for people to share their experiences, and even a broadcast. The energy and synergy is infectious.

Visit their site <http://www.nanowrimo.org >and sign up. What have you got to lose? It’s free and it’s fun. And it may just get you off the fence and immersed into one of the best adventures of your life. Many of the previous participants are now published authors.

You’ll find all kinds of worthy literary projects that this group is supporting. In fact, if you have an older laptop that you want to donate to someone in need, this is a great place to start. If you’re a teacher, check out their great programs for your classrooms.

And if you think you’re not quite ready for this daunting assignment . . . 50,000 words in 30 days . . . (that’s about 1700 words a day or 6 double-spaced pages a day), then come back to my site. Each week, I’ll post five, single-focused writing assignments to get your creative juices flowing on a more comfortable scale. Register on my blog and you’ll be notified when I post the November Writer's Workout.

Happy Writing - I’ll see you there!