When I read Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project earlier this year, I began making a few changes.  The second chapter is entitled “Remember Love” and discusses ways to improve your marriage.  That was a complete failure for me.

 

Luckily, I also began meditating and keeping a happiness journal (which for me was more about gratitude).  Both have been big successes.

 

The lingering resolution I wanted to make this year was in Chapter 9, “Pursue A Passion.”  Ms. Rubin writes about participating in National Novel Writing Month, and (obviously) writing a novel in a month.  I know, it sounds crazy.  But during the month of November, people all over the world commit to writing 1,667 words a day for a 50,000 word novel in a month.

 

Am I challenging myself or setting myself up for failure?  Writing a book is every English major’s dream.  Of course, we fantasize writing The Great American Novel, which isn’t going to happen in a month.  I want to do this to prove to myself that I can.  To continue to develop the habit of writing, and maybe build up my writing muscles.

 

Mostly I want to show myself I can write a novel.  I can stick to it, every day, and just do it.

 

So I signed up here and have started thinking about plots and characters.  I have a couple of ideas sprouting from bizarre crimes in San Diego, things that settled in and sparked my imagination of what might have happened (seriously, what are people thinking?).  I found this which offers some practical tips on completing the challenge.

 

I’m beginning to lay some groundwork and am committed to writing a novel in November.  I know, November is a terrible month.  It marks the beginning of our National Silly Season of Consumerism and Non-Stop Eating.  (If you’re outside the U.S., we celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November followed by Black Friday which is holiday shopping insanity.  People actually die fighting over sale items.  But, of course, before we eat and shop at the end of the month, we have to make it through the presidential election at the beginning of the month.  November requires fortitude.)  Come to think of it, writing a novel actually sounds like a great way to avoid some of that.

 

Have I lost my marbles?  Does this sound intriguing to you?  Want to try it yourself?  You can sign up here (it’s free!) and get started.  C’mon, it’ll be fun!

 

Related articles

• It’s Never Too Early For NaNo Dares (chyrondave.wordpress.com)
• No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days, Chris Baty (booksjadore.wordpress.com)