Do You NaNo?

I have this notebook I found. The first three pages are filled with handwritten words, the beginning of a story. A young girl is distressed as she watches her mother go into labor. The girl feels the pain of the contractions, sees the white-hot light that blurs her mother's vision.  As her father takes his laboring wife away, Grandmother comforts the little girl, trying to explain her gift. 

I don't remember when I wrote these pages. Worse yet, I have no idea where the story goes from there. I wrote it then left it to rot and spoil, to become a snippet of an idea, never able to grow or flourish.

This is how I wrote for many years. Sporadically, randomly. A poem here, a story there. I had no focus or structure. Admittedly, not having a computer or typewriter was a huge stumbling block. How all those authors wrote entire novels with a pen is beyond me. My carpal tunnel would never allow it.

My first book took me two years to write. I would work on it for a day or two, then tuck it away without a thought for weeks at a time. It wasn't a struggle. I shied away from a challenge and simply worked when I felt like it.

My second book took half that time. I would have a week of hard work, writing like a maniac.  Then, I'd put it aside, letting life distract me. The editing took another year. I'm a genius at procrastination.

When I first heard about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I thought it was outlandish. An entire book in 30 days?  Ridiculous.  But, in the year since then, my writing community has grown. I've 'met' so many other writers who have inspired me.  They are smart and talented and disciplined. They often take on challenges and conquer them.  I so want to be like them.

And, so, I'm doing it. I went on the NaNoWriMo site and signed up. I named my novel and uploaded a photo. It's official, I'm challenged. I'm hoping that this will inspire my writing, bring my talent into focus and help me jump those hurdles of self-defeat.

So, my question-- do you NaNo? Will you be taking on the challenge? I guess you can have writing buddies and I'd love to add you to my list (which is empty right now). Have you ever considered writing? Do you want a challenge? Come on! Who'll take the ride with me?