I’m both dreading and excitedly anticipating this year’s NaNoWriMo – or National Novel Writing Month, for the blissfully uninitiated (I sometimes wish I were you) – because … well, it’s the thing I do every year. I think I’ve “won” a grand total of twice – and now that I’ve gone back to my writer dashboard, it’s actually only once all the way back in 2011 – and the other years have seen me start with a bang and then peter out by like the end of the first week. Sure, I have good excuses like work, need of sleep, emergencies, Thanksgiving, etc., but not this year, sir. Not. This. Year.

In my continuing efforts to be a Better Person™, I’m already completing the challenge that will be posted while I’m busy typing 1,667 words per day, and I’ve begun my new Plantser strategy, which is a combination of planning and flying by the seat of my pants … hence plantser. Hey, I didn’t make up the name, NaNo did. Anyway, I already know what the basic plot of my story is going to be, and I have a set schedule of how I’m going to make sure I still get plenty of sleep, exercise, and writing time, and I’m planning on meal prepping, as well! Oh, and aaaaaand I’ve already set dates on my calendar for a few write-ins, seeing as I don’t work much past 3:00P now. See?? It’s going to be different this year. Of course, following through on my plans is where I usually fall short, but hey, I am trying.

Oh, and of course, I would love some more accountabilibuddies, so feel free to add me (jujujuniper) on NaNo! I want more people to suffer with me on this!

Art Credit: NaNoWriMo.org