I fancy myself a writer. Sometimes, I even think of myself as a prolific writer. One thing that helps me justify that claim is the month of November, and the National Novel Writing Month challenge.

I hope that many of my readers are familiar with this annual activity. It’s a challenge, monitored and assisted by a staff of selfless, devoted individuals, to write a fifty-thousand word novel within thirty days.

Now, to most sane people in the world, that probably sounds crazy.

I like to think of it as an opportunity, one which I take full advantage of.

The people at NaNoWriMo who help coordinate the event, who provide a place where you can easily track and display your progress and where you can connect with others who are undertaking the same monumental task, are simply amazing. They help put together an environment, a setting, that enables and encourages writers to do what they do best, and they do it well. I can’t say enough about their dedication and the quality of their work, so I won’t even try. I will however offer them a heartfelt thanks for all their efforts. What they do really does help me with what I do.

I’ve taken this challenge every November for the past four years. I won’t say I’ve completed it every year, but I’ve come close enough. I won’t say that I produced gripping masterpieces of literary composition each year, but at least it always got me writing, got me putting the pieces together, got me up and moving. And I believe I’m a better writer for it.

This year, I’m back again, with a bold new story and a plan to finish my novel and complete the challenge. I think I’ll make it, and if I don’t, it won’t be for lack of inspiration and support from NaNoWriMo. Thanks again, and please keep doing what you’re doing.