Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time, signing up in early October for the National Write a Novel in a Month competition. However, the reality of the situation is that I must have been experiencing a moment of insanity (and that is highly likely since I seem to experience one daily, being the artist that I am) to think that I would have the time to devote to such an intense task. Seeing as how it’s already November 8th and I have yet to begin on the “novel” because I have been working on various other projects, including the development of the marketing materials for the second book in the ETERNAL VIGILANCE series, I seriously do not see myself completing the 50,000 words demanded by the competition over the next three weeks. So, I am unofficially withdrawing my hat from the ring. I couldn’t, for some reason, figure out how to delete my profile from the NaNoWriMo website so I’m going to leave it up there for the time being and, if the gods are willing, I will upload whatever I am able to complete over the next three weeks. However, I cannot promise to be able to meet the 50,000 word mark. As much as I’d like to think that I am superwoman (and, yes, I still would like a cape at some point) I also know my limits. I still have a great passion for the concept of manuscript, THE BEAT, I had planned on tackling this month and know that this is going to be a brilliant book once completed. But it is a story, and a style, which must unravel at its own pace and in its own time. I do not feel that the true creative spirit of the piece will flourish under the harsh and harried time restraints of the competition. Besides, writing shouldn’t be about a time limit or a competition, but about the art of the word. While, as a professional writer, I have learned to write under deadlines, I still, in my heart, feel that one’s creative work should be allowed the sufficient time to gestate in one’s mind before being committed to paper and released into the wilds of the public readership. I do not like the idea of uploading hastily written, unedited excerpts onto a website because I do not think that is an accurate representation of an author’s capabilities. However, I commend the NaNoWriMo’s mission and commitment to encouraging people to chase their dreams of writing. It is simply that at this time, for this particular person, not the right pursuit. I wish the best of luck to all of the other NaNoWriMo competitors!

Tags: competition, NaNoWriMo, writing

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