My First Attempt at NaNoWriMo

Hello, dear reader! How have you been? It’s been long we spoke. Tell me all of what’s happening with you. If not all, at least give me bits. What was October like? What did you do? Did you read much? How was Halloween? There is so much I want to know about you. Maybe, because there is so much I want to tell too. After much waiting, the tides turned a little and the sun shone again. We had a jolly good time celebrating my brother’s engagement ceremony last month. Yay! He’s engaged now! That’s us!

October was all good and joyful. And like all happy times, it was over too soon. Stepping into November however, things look more serious. And that I mean in terms of dedication and commitment. I am participating in NaNoWriMo this year. Somehow, the tough times the pandemic pushed me through, prepared me for things I was only getting ready for. Now I feel, I can take up this challenge too. I have never participated in NaNoWriMo before but what’s there to lose. And if I get through, I’ll have that novel grown into a tree which until now was only a seed in my heart.

I read some articles about how participants buckle up for the big event. There are zillions of things to catch up with, incase you’re doing it too. I promise you – you’ll fall short of time, but never of reference material. I wanted to do it the traditional way – write in a book and strike out later. But soon I realised keeping a track of the progress would be next to impossible. So now I am typing it all away on Word. As for the prepping up, I did what I could, or rather what I thought I needed to. I put a chapter and character outline in place. For a long time, I battled with myself on the perspective bit and finally came to a conclusion that a third person narrative will best suit my story. Enough riddles, I think it’s time I told you a little about the plot.

This is the story of two families. An event that changed the course of life for both. It not only brought them together but also put them apart, all at once. But mostly, this is the story of a young girl from a small Indian town, who was on the brink of getting a PhD, who had the whole of her life, ambitions, and dreams, waiting to embrace her. But her one decision changed it all. When her closest cousin passes away, she decides to do what no one ever will. This is the story of unconditional love, selflessness, gratitude, longing, and most of all, a loss that will move hearts. This is the story of broken belongings we all carry in our hearts as souvenirs.

I am 3500 words through in my story and I am only looking forward. It is just day two but I am having sleepless nights already. The characters are forever chatting away, the scenes are unfolding in my subconscious faster than they would do when woke. Settings peeling away layers as if showing me where I could be next. It is all so exciting but also intimidating. Every now and then, I’m worried what if I lose track or wander directionless, what if my characters get stuck, and so many other doubts. But I am also trying hard to not think of them. Reminding myself to take it a day at a time.

There you go! Now that I’ve spilled it all out, I feel so much better.

It’s your turn now. Do tell if you’re participating in NaNoWriMo. Have you done it before? What were your observations? Share some of your experiences. Maybe, those will help this writer get over her jitters.

Good luck for NanoWrimo. Happy writing till we meet next. Until then, carpe diem!