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NaNoWriMo Day One - Friendly *ahem* Family Competition
Contributor
Written by
Sandi Johnson
November 2010
Contributor
Written by
Sandi Johnson
November 2010
Here it is, November 1st and the start of my very first NaNoWriMo. I'm so excited that I'm driving my family nuts already. Granted, I'm not sure if they're rolling their eyes at me because I won't shut up about it, because (as usual) I'm breaking all the rules, or if it's because my word count has already hit over 5,000 this morning. No matter the reason, they aren't very fond of me this morning. That's okay. I love them, anyway...and they love me too - if for no other reason than to secure their spot on my will. Actually, this year's NaNoWriMo has become something of a family competition. My oldest daughter (who is a member here...somewhere...if she ever remembers to log in) participated in NaNo last year. She's in her early 20s, married with a toddler, living in NY. It's all her fault that I ever learned about NaNo. My oldest son (17 and still at home) is also participating this year. He just recently discovered a love of writing. He and I dared his older sister to sign up again this year. There will be family word wars in the very near future...and we don't usually play nice. We're a pretty competitive bunch like that. Even pillow fights can be dangerous in this family. I'm sure there will be "but Mom, you aren't following the rules" comments in the near future in response to leaving my offspring in the wordy dust. That's okay. I can take it. I've never been one for following the rules, anyway. I'm a firm believer in Ulrich's quote about well-behaved women and history. In that spirit, I'm a WriMo Rebel writing a nonfiction book; one I have been contemplating for several years and have even started before, although it didn't make it past 500 words much less 50,000. But my reasons for NaNo are not your typical reasons anyway. I'm determined to have a completed book ready for self-publication before next Spring. With that in mind, I think I'm allowed a little latitude in breaking some NaNo rules. It's all about having fun with words anyway. Being too serious causes grief and gray hairs. Being a single mom of four, self-employed, and bad genetics have provided me with enough gray hairs. I don't plan to grow any more than necessary - not even for a beloved book. I welcome the insanity that is NaNoWriMo. In our family, insanity, creativity and eccentricity are considered admirable traits. In that regard, I am fulfilling my job duties to cause my children as much creative psychological damage as possible before they turn 18. NaNoWriMo and our family competition is just one more way for me to show my children I love them enough to drive them bonkers. :)

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Comments
  • Nina Weber

    lovely reading :-)

    Holding all fingers crossed for a fellow-NaNoWriMo!

    Nina