50,000 Words in 30 Days?
Why National Novel Writing Month Works for Me
November 1, 2023
Dear Writers,
First, a shout-out to my colleague and former personal essay-writing student Diane Gottlieb, editor of the brand-new anthology Awakenings: Stories of Bodies & Consciousness in which numerous storytellers weigh in on their relationships with their bodies and minds. I’m particularly interested in Diane’s new anthology because I’m midway through a class in Outdoor Emergency Care for my volunteer gig on Backcountry Ski Patrol…it’s been a fascinating, and extremely humbling, experience. (Note to self: Next time around, pay attention in high school biology instead of flirting with all the boys.)
What’s On My Mind
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) kicks off today, and I’m here for it. Are you? For those not in the know, NaNoWriMo gathers together writers from around the world and helps them—for free—to write at least 50,000 words of fiction or nonfiction during the month of November.
Last week, I gave a NaNoWriMo-themed talk at Eugene Public Library with my friend and YA novelist J.C. Geiger about how to begin—and sustain—the rough draft of a novel. We fielded questions ranging from how to deal with writers’ block and whether to write on a computer or by hand to how to believe in your story powerfully enough that you’ll actually sit down and write the thing.
I told attendees about how my two middle-grade novels, Avenging the Owl and Daisy Woodworm Changes the World, both started as NaNoWriMo manuscripts. Thousands and thousands of people this month are writing at least 1,167 words a day; I like to think that I can feel this combined energy each morning at seven as I sit down at my computer and write for two hours.
I need this energy. Because I have a shameful secret: I loathe writing rough drafts. I use the impetus of NaNoWriMo and its website word count tracker to game my brain. Also, I literally roll out of bed at 6:50 and pour a cup of coffee and start working so that by the time I’m fully awake, I’ve already written several hundred words. (Ha! Gotcha, brain!)
Are you writing a manuscript during NaNoWriMo? I’d love to know how it’s working for you!
What I’m Publishing
Muse Science Magazine just published two of my articles in their “Brains” issue—the first is “How Down Syndrome Makes a Brain Beautifully Different.” The other is a profile of triathlete and entrepreneur Abigail “the Advocate” Adams whom I wrote about a while back for Byrdie Beauty.
Both of these articles are dear to my heart because my younger brother has Down syndrome, and he’s one of the finest human beings I know. Plus, he asked me to send him a fart machine, which I did. Suffice to say it has four different sound options.
I’m still working on the piece about vaudeville and racism and homophobia and my showbiz great-grandparents for Hidden Compass; stay tuned! And I turned in the manuscript for Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ True Stories to Change Your Mind about Disability (Sourcebooks, 2025). Hurrah!
A Few Cool Resources for Writers
· If you’re sitting at a desk more that three hours a day, this is mandatory listening: Body Electric : NPR . For two weeks, I’ve worked for 30 minutes, then taken a five minute break to lift weights or play with the cats or go run around the backyard, then repeated for my entire workday. I have much more energy and exuberance!
Those of you jumping into NaNoWriMo 2023, have a look at the advice in this article: 10 Ways to Crush Your NaNoWriMo Goals | The Write Life
· Whether you’re tackling 50,000 words in the next 30 days, or you’re just looking for something inspirational to listen to while you clean the cat’s litterbox (or in my case, four cats = four litterboxes), there’s this: Pep Talks | NaNoWriMo
· I have a feeling this will be of use to those of you who’d like to work as freelance editors: How To Become A Freelance Editor In 10 Straightforward Steps (makealivingwriting.com)
· Bonus Content: The Mycology (Mushroom) episode of the Ologies podcast is funny and fascinating, and it just may break your heart as it did mine.
Conferences, Residencies, and Calls for Submissions
· The San Francisco Writers’ Conference takes place February 15th-18th—I’ve taught there a few times, and I’m impressed with the kind-hearted staff and super-knowledgeable presenters. The keynotes are Maia Kobabe and Alka Joshi, and San Francisco is gorgeous.
· The behemoth that is the AWP (Associated Writing Programs) Conference and Bookfair takes place February 7th-10th in Kansas City. I’ll be on two panels: “Bullet Journaling, Car Retreats & Barney: 10 Hacks for Writing while Parenting and Writing” and “Intellectual Disability: An Inclusive Panel.” Come over and say hi!
· Mesa Refuge is accepting applications for their two-week residencies in Point Reyes Station, California until December 1st. From their website, “We give priority to writers and activists focused on our three main subject areas—nature, social justice and economic equity.”
· Those of you jumping into NaNoWriMo 2023, have a look at the advice in this article: 10 Ways to Crush Your NaNoWriMo Goals | The Write Life
· Writing friends of a certain decade, here’s this: (7) Literary Magazines Who Want Writers 40, 50, & 60+ (substack.com) And while I’m on the topic of age, have you picked up a copy of Seattle-author Priscilla Long’s Dancing with the Muse in Old Age? Regardless of how old you are, if you’re struggling with age and/or ageism, this book is transformative!
Okay, that’s all for now. Let me know if you want me to include any writing resources in my December issue, and I’ll do so!
Much gratitude,
Melissa
P.S. Here’s me from last night’s Halloween festivities. I may have danced a Michael Jackson “Thriller”/Bob Marley mashup in a very public pub.
