NaNoWriMo has taught me that I can write more than I think I can. I can lose the distractions. I can focus. I can get a lot of words on paper in a short amount of time.
NaNoWriMo has taught me that I’m a planner. The words come a lot easier if I know where I’m going. I like having a structure in place ahead of time. I might not know everything that is going to happen to my characters, and I may change my mind several times along the way, but it’s easier to write towards a goal. To write with purpose instead of wandering and looking for the story.
NaNoWriMo has also taught me that I can write more than one novel. I can repeat the magic. The ideas will keep coming so I can put all I’ve got into the story in front of me. No having to save up ideas for the next book.
NaNoWriMo has bonded me with other writers. I know I’m not alone as it sometimes feels like. We are all writing madly together and feeding our families pancakes for supper. And because it’s only for one month, we know we will make it. We will survive. We can push through for 300 more words. 400 more words. The vacuuming can wait until December.
NaNoWriMo has left me with a backlog of novels needing editing. I’m a big fan of having “margin” in my life, so a backlog of first/second drafts is a good thing. The question I need to answer this year is: What is the most effective use of my time? Do I pump out another first draft? Do I use that intensive November focus to work on a revision? Or, do I use my NaNo time for something else, which I’m going to think about more this week and maybe talk about next Friday? 
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Some of the funny things that are different about us – you think pancakes is a quick and easy meal, and I think it’s one of the ones you need to plan enough time for. You think a backlog of rough drafts is a good thing, and I think it’s a way to make me crazier. That’s one of the reasons we’re such good friends and have such a fun blog! LOL!
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