Back with a mission

Hi there,
It's been a while since my last post, almost a year actually. It's good timing for my return post since I've decided...yes, decided...to participate in NaNoWriMo starting on Saturday. And what that means is that I will write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Yup, that's right. Yes, kind of random, kind of crazy but I've known or felt for a while now that there's a story inside me, maybe a few stories inside me, and if November is National Novel Writers Month, then why the hell not?

So what I'm going to do is blog about my experience as a virgin novelist, hoping that by going public with my intentions I'll be on the hook with my one blog reader, thus providing me with the motivation to slog through this project.

The truth is, I know absolutely nothing about writing a novel. I like to read novels and I live with ideas in my head that really should come out on paper, if for no other reason than as catharsis. But as I've been learning about NaNoWriMo it seems that one doesn't need any particular talent or experience in order to "win (which in NaNoWriMo land means finishing)," just a burning desire to write a novel and a deadline to up the chances that I'll actually do it.

So, dear reader, welcome to my little experiment. Can I do this? I believe I can, and I'd like you to be along for the ride. I have about 40 hours to prepare to begin to write, then I'll take off and see where it takes me. I got a copy of "No Plot, No Problem" from the library, a little guidebook written by the founder of NaNoWriMo. It's got tips, exercises and inspiration from former winners. So, armed with my guidebook, an account at NaNoWriMo and a pocketful of hubris' little sister, I will begin.

Oh, and this month I'm also volunteering at the "Veterans Speak" program at our local arts center, working at the inn, traveling to Texas to see our newborn grandbaby and then to Virginia for Thanksgiving. And I turn 53. As good a month as any to write my first novel.