A better question might be, why the hell not?

I’ve known about (and have been signed up with) National Novel Writing Month for several years now. Sometimes I made a good effort, while other years I made no effort at all. After all these years I have never once “won” NaNo.

What makes me think that this year will be any different? I’m turning forty next week and looking back I’ve realized that I have a terrible habit of waiting for things to happen. Good things, bad things, it doesn’t matter. I sit, inert, and that just pisses me off.

I believe that if you want something, and it’s deeply important to you, you can make it happen. It’ll likely be hella hard because most things worth having are. The glory of accomplishment will far outweigh any pain you experience during your journey.

I believe in the NaNo mantra of getting a messy, crappy first draft down on paper as fast as you can. After all, a crappy draft is worth infinitely more than the perfect idea that is trapped inside your head. I want to set my ideas free, they’ve been caged-up by the specter of perfectionism for far too long.

Also, I want to be able to say I’ve “won” NaNo. What better time than the aftermath of a hurricane, my fortieth birthday and Thanksgiving at the end of the month?

I’ve also made a deal with Jeff. If (I mean when) I get to 25,000 words I can get this years cool NaNoWriMo t-shirt. When I finish, I get the “Winner” shirt. I’m kind of a slut for a good t-shirt.