Follow Your Fingers

By Nichole Giles

Last week I told you that I am taking a 30-day writing challenge. This week I thought I’d update you on my progress. As a recap, this is a challenge to write 50,000 words in 30-days. This challenge is otherwise known as National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, (see http://www.nanowrimo.org/) and usually held in the month of November. I started the challenge on September 1st, knowing that November is a really busy month for me, and also having an idea in my head that I just couldn’t wait to get started writing.

Today is September 13, and I have officially written more than 23,700 words.

I have learned something in the last 13 days. In the past I have made vague outlines, researched ideas, and always done lots of pre-writing. This time, I started with two characters and one scene I could see in my head. And I have never been able to so freely allow the characters to lead me through the story. It’s an amazing feeling, and completely liberating. If you have any inclination for attempting this challenge, I highly recommend joining NaNoWriMo this coming November.

I recognize that I haven’t yet won this challenge, but I am confident in my abilities and determined that I will. And having announced this to all my readers, I expect you all to hold me to it!