I have tackled the exuberant madness of writing 50,000 words in thirty days several times. But with a December 1st deadline for a historical novella looming before me, I’ve committed to writing only 25,000 words this November.

Though I could easily have used the month to write a very messy rough draft for my next manuscript, I decided to do something totally different and offbeat.

So I bought Ready, Set, Novel! by NaNoWriMo founder Chris Baty, Lindsey Grant (Program Director), and Tavia Stewart-Streit (Operations Manager).

This handy-dandy workbook provides imaginative and fun exercises to help NaNoPreppers create story ideas, characters, and plots.

After completing the first exercise, my story elements will include: a road trip, a picnic, and movie soundtracks.

I’m still working on the character exercises, but I envision estranged twin sisters who have lost their last remaining family member. They’re on a road trip to reconnect with one another and put the past to rest. But instead they’ll visit the past when the enter a strange time portal.

How will the picnic and movie soundtracks play into all of this? I have no idea. How fun is that?!

As I wrote last week, I’m a big fan of NaNoWriMo. Two of my previous messy drafts have been revised into publishable novels. That probably won’t happen to this year’s project, but that’s okay. This year it’s all about allowing my imagination to play without [too many] constraints.

What about you? Will you sign up for NaNoWriMo and write 50,000 words? Or will you be an unofficial participant in NaNoWriMo Lite and write 25,000 words?

I’d love to hear your tips and hints for making the most of NaNoWriMo.