Happy NaNoWriMo 2020

“Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” ~ Gene Fowler

Happy NaNoWriMo!

For those who don’t know what NaNoWriMo is, it stands for National Novel Writing Month. During this month writers begin a brand new novel, drink copious amounts of caffeine which they may or may not spike with some Baileys. They stare mindlessly at their laptops until their eyes crossover and as the quote above says, blood forms on their foreheads. If they (we) have not gone crazy at the end of November it is a miracle. This is all in an attempt to write 50,000 words, the shortest length a novel can be. This is my thirteenth (LUCKY thirteenth!) year of participating in NaNoWriMo

Though not going to lie, last year was insanity and I did not complete my novel. The extenuating circumstances were such, that to even get halfway was a huge achievement, and I wholeheartedly admit that I consider that time, part of my 2020. What can I say I am an overachiever and start early. 

Dark Romance Writer

As I sat down to write this post, I was actually thinking how I haven’t really talked about my writing in a very long time, and a huge portion of this blog use to be about being a writer. It just goes to show how life is constantly changing and evolving.

While it is STILL 2020, it isn’t all bad, and I feel like this year, despite my “Offices” not allowing anybody to work inside, and I have to freeze outside, I am much more prepared to attempt, and fingers cross, finish my novel, then I was last year. 

For those who are newer, I am a dark romance novelist, no sweet vanilla books from me friends! I know, I know, I look so innocent! While that is my forté, so to speak, I have dabbled in other genres, and began my writing career in Young Adult lit. NaNoWriMo has always been my way to push myself as a writer, and attempt other genres. In fact I didn’t even realize I was a dark romance writer, until I finished my first ever dark mafia romance during NaNoWriMo (at the now closed Cafe Jax in New York City…So MANY memories) and which I am in the midst of getting it published. 

Idea Inspirations

You truly never know what will happen during NaNoWriMo and that applies to this year as well. I had an idea that I would work on one of the sequels in my mafia series and a couple mornings ago, I woke up with inspiration going in a completely different direction. 

But that is the magic of NaNoWriMo. To push yourself outside of your comfort zone and attempt something you may not have attempted otherwise. Challenging yourself doesn’t just keep life interesting, it helps you grow as a person and in this instance as a writer. I actually owe my nephew many thanks, because he is part of the inspiration for my NaNoWrimo. I can not wait to expand on it and see where my writer mind goes. 

To all the writers out there, the best of luck this month. Be kind to yourself, push yourself, but also give yourself grace, you have got this. Happy writing NaNos!!!

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? What is your favorite genre to read?