Constructive Insanity: National Novel Writing Month!

NaNoWriMo.

For those who are wondering what on earth that is (like me last September) here's a link that sums it up: http://www.nanowrimo.com/

As I'm warming up for this year's NaNo, I'm struck again by how many people think NaNo is silly scribbling by a bunch of people who only think they're writers. At best, a waste of time.

I'll admit it--I thought the same thing last September! Why was time and energy, quality and sanity, cramming 50,000 words into a measly 3o days?

But I did try it, and found to my surprise that it is indeed possible to write 50,000 words in a month! And it's a library full of fun. And one of the best 101 writing courses out there.

First, as is so often stated, the need to write shuts up that Evil Editor (not the blunt-but-helpful little guy but the wizened vulture with a sharpened pencil for poking). Which, if you're inclined to perfection, might just save your mind. (So, perhaps, the only way to save your sanity to is lose it for 30 days...)

Second, whether you make 50,000 or not (see paragraph 5) you will have written. A lot. You'll have something to show, something to tear and rip and edit, something to terrorize the relatives with at Christmas. Whatever you end up with, it's worth it.

And it's fun! There's something theraputic about going insane in tandem with several million people around the globe.

Personally, I can't wait for November.