November is coming, the traditional time of the National Novel Writing Month challenge. I have hit 50k words every November since I started, though not always for one new novel. Were this any other year, I would probably declare myself a rebel and use the writing challenge to edit one of my works in progress. But it’s not.

This is the first November since NaNoWriMo, the organization which originally set the challenge, disbanded. I want to meet that original challenge, to write fifty thousand words of a brand new novel’s first draft, in the thirty days of November. It feels important to do it again, and do it right, this November especially; in defiance, in memory, in claiming – for every reason under the sun. I cannot tell if I want it more for homage or for spite. While they set the challenge, we are the ones who met it.

Have you ever played Fortunately, Unfortunately?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a new story idea I am ready to dedicate that much attention to. Fortunately, I have a set up for a story ready to attempt writing it ‘pantser’ style; no plot, no plan, just start at page one and write by the seat of your pants. Unfortunately, if I get stuck on what comes next, I’m not allowed to jump around to a different place like I normally do. Fortunately, part of the set up is a list of possible incidents which fit the premise and could go pretty much anywhere.

If I get stuck on what comes next, I’ll pick one at random and keep going. Once I hit 1667 words in a day, I can return to editing a more serious draft.

I’ll see you about halfway through.