I always enjoy National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I’ve looked forward to November since 2003. I’ve finished my 50k words 3 out of 7 years, and gotten one published novel and one that is in solid second draft stage (though I did continue one I had started in an earlier year and only gotten about 30k into in that case…) — plus a third first draft that deserves fleshing out. But this year…I’m having more fun than ever. Why? Personal challenges.

First of all, I’m writing in a genre I’ve never tried before — due to a challenge from my writing cohort, I’m doing a period Steampunky-type romantic mystery… Second, I am writing a POV I’ve never sustained for more than a short story and writing it from my heroine’s first person viewpoint. And finally, instead of just pushing for the 1667 words necessary to squeak by with 50k, I have set myself a daily goal of 2000 words — and so far, I am averaging 2008. This means I have to write less than 1600 words a day already to finish. I’m over 12k into the story, and it feels wonderful.

So, for those of my compadres struggling to finish this daunting month with that “Winner” badge at the end, set yourself a couple of personal challenges. It just might give your writing engines that additional “spark” you need to triumph!