I signed up for NaNoWriMo.

I wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to tell you that, Internet. Why wouldn't I tell you? Because it's like telling your friends when you quit smoking, or go on a diet -- the more people you tell, the bigger audience you have WHEN YOU FAIL.

But I'm not going to fail. I am off to a great start, as a matter of fact: I wrote 1923 words this morning (and added another 100 before bed).

For those of you who don't already know, NaNoWriMo = National Novel Writing Month. Each November thousands of insane people pledge to write a 50,000 word novel by the end of the month. A terrible, awful, unreadable 50,000 word novel.

What's the point? Well, personally, I hope to develop a habit of writing every day, and that maybe a few of the thousands of words I spew out will prove worth using. I.e., I'll be happy if, when December rolls around, I have a writing habit and the makings of a decent short story.

I looked at the statistics about registrations and "winners" (anyone who meets the 50,000 word goal is a winner) on the FAQ. In the past few years there is a pretty consistent success rate of about 14-15%. The odds aren't great but I hope to be one of this year's winners.

Advance acknowledgments go out to Kelli, who has actually written a book, and shared words of wisdom about writing; and my sister-in-law, who will suffer thirty days of creative agony with me share triumphant success with me at the end of the month.