Nov 30, 2011

This has been a strange November. After the hugely-social party NaNo’s in 2009 and 2010, this one has seemed solitary and low-key. And frankly, that’s been just what I wanted.

I’ve been doing this since 2006, and it hasn’t become old yet at all. But each year has to be different. Each year has its own special character, and each year’s NaNo is the same. And this year has been about getting back to the basics of why I do this.

It’s not the write-ins, though they’re a great way to meet fun people. It’s not the forums, though they’re amazing, and it’s a comfort to know I’ve got friends on the NaNo boards that will give me a pat or a push as necessary. It’s not the wordcount widgets, or the t-shirts, or the glowsicks, or the coffee, though they make it supremely possible.

No, it’s about one thing at the core:

The story.

And this year has been a celebration of me and the story, our relationship. All the rest is confetti and glitter and icing: lovely, but extra.

I could miss the “event” feeling of the past couple of NaNos this year, or I could celebrate what’s actually in front of me. This year, I’ve poured my love into a story, protected my focus like a candle flame in a storm, and built an intimacy with my words that the previous two years have lacked.

And that’s as much a celebration of what NaNoWriMo is about, as all the bells-and-whistles years.

What’s in my NaNoWriMo bag?
photo originally uploaded by the catalyst.......
Purple Bar, my lovelies!
Stats: Days Where I Wrote: Highest Daily Word Count: 13,498 November 10th Write-Ins attended: Awesome boyfriends acquired: 1 ...
Countdown: NaNo deadlines
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