*chime*

Are we chatting of the Ghosts of NaNo Past?

2007 - Managed 50k but I didn't finish the novel. Finished novel in 2009 but it needs major revision and I still haven't finished that.

2008 - (one of the best parts was sitting in Brandiwyn🎶 's house and both of us not being distracted by Seisa-sleepingcatbooks.com and Mumsy because we both had words to write. The competition is good for both of us. Novel awaits major rewrite.

2009 - I started one novel but finished the one I'd begun a few months earlier. That novel, DTYM, is ready to send somewhere with a few minor edits at this point.

2010 - The baby was much more mobile and needed too much attention! But I recovered.

2011 - Despite being very pregnant and moving mid-month, I made part of a novel and a bunch of short stories. Novel scrapped and the outline definitely needs to be revisited.

2012 - Wow, highest word count yet during November and then embarked on two sequels to the book. Still needs revision, and that will began in July and will continue in December.

2013 - I have an idea. I'm still refining where I want it to go, but I want that draft.

Ideas for this NaNo: If something isn't breaking down the door, Prep an idea and write the end of the unfinished novel before embarking on the new one. Then you get your words toward all the things you want to do. Depending on how many words you need for the novel, you could easily then turn toward another piece. Or you could target the prep for a series of short stories to take to magazines or another kind of market after you finish this novel draft. What do you most want to accomplish and what do you feel would be the best step for your writing career? THAT is what you need to target for NaNo.

I am very in favor of writing what you need to write. I know that sometimes those abandoned (for now or forever) projects might feel like they're baggage and that you simply must finish them. BUT you write what you're ready to write. You are learning so much about being a writer every time you sit down and let yourself go. I'm still learning. And, like you, I love the energy and excitement that NaNo brings that I don't want to miss it. I was really sad the year I did miss it, and I Prepped, even though I couldn't follow through on that idea. At least, not yet.

What does that feel like - to think that you're a writer who evolves as you write and that each project brings something new to you and each new thing helps you grow? I'd say take a swing at NaNo, whichever way you take it. I'd say ride this energy.

Right now I'm also looking forward to 2014. That HAS to be a big edit year for me, and I need to figure out what it takes to get me into the chair and editing. I'm getting closer, but I still haven't figured that out.