I’m a big fan of NaNoWriMo. Both my debut novel, Where Treasure Hides (Tyndale, January 2013), and my next novel, tentatively titled Into A Spacious Place (Revell, January 2016), began as NaNo-Novels (in 2008 and 2004, respectively; yes, it will be 12 years from NaNo to publication for IASP). I’ve participated six times, but failed to reach that 50,000-word goal once. The last time I NaNo-ed, in 2012, I wrote over 30,000 words in the last three days of November. I wasn’t about to fail again!
Because of other obligations, I won’t be participating this year, but I’m cheering on all those who do including my Imagine That! critique partner Chandra Smith.
Chandra sent our group an email that touched my heart with its exuberant joy. When it comes down to it, isn’t that what writing is all about?
Chandra wrote:
When I was a little girl I loved to sit and write stories. I didn’t care if anyone liked them I just write. Nanowrimo is thirty days out of the year I allow myself to write for the sheer joy if writing. My little girl is carefree and happy and my internal editor sits back and enjoys the ride.
It is fun to get lost in story. December 1 the little girl sits back and the serious rewrite fun begins!
Thanks, Chandra, for allowing me to share your email. Praying for you and each one of your 50,000 words this month.
Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this month? Please share your experiences, both ups and downs. Praying for you, too!
Chandra Lynn Smith is a dog trainer by trade and a writer by heart. She owns Best Friend Dog Training and writes the column “Letters From The Dog House,” for The Evening Sun. She is a member of ACFW and has freelanced for the CFWOM publication and the ACFW Journal. She is a 2013 and 2014 semi-finalist in the Genesis contest and a 2014 bronze medalist in the MBT Frasier contest. She lives on a small farm in South Central Pennsylvania with her husband, four sons, and three dogs.
