It's Not Too Late!

by G.Parker


In case you are new to the world of blogging or writing, you might not be aware of what is happening right now. All across the world, people are pounding their fingers on their keyboards in a race to get 50,000 words out before the end of November. It's called National Novel Writing Month, or Nanowrimo. Last year there were over 79,000 participants from around the globe. It was amazing. This thing has grown from being a little idea in 1999, to a great inspiring one.

I didn't hear of it until 2004. That was my first year of insanity, but I made the goal -- I wrote 50,000 words. My hubby just couldn't understand why it wasn't finished...sigh. That one was titled The Hidden Heart.

In 2005 I did it again and this time (to make him happy) I made sure I finished it. I actually had to add scenes because the story wasn't long enough. It was called The Bishop's Wife, but has been changed to The Bishop and the Angel.

Last year was another try, and I was able to do it again, but it was by the skin of my teeth. I remember sitting there with my hubby watching, at 11:45 pm, saving it as a text document and running it through their word checker. (it puts things in a code so that it doesn't get read in actual words, just gives them a word count verification.) All of the stories are mentioned on my web site, if you want to give them a perusal...

The whole point of Nano is to get people writing. Everyone says they are going to write a book some day, and the people behind the site decided that this would help them. A national thing where everyone was encouraged to participate. They have forums with age groups and ideologies and regions and anything you can think of to associate with and make yourself feel at home. They send you encouraging emails during the weeks. It's enough to encourage anyone.

So if you have ever thought, you know, when I get older I'm going to write The Great American Novel, don't wait. Do it now. Just start writing. You never know what will come of it.

My hubby just wishes it wasn't in November.