1 November marked the beginning of the annual writing frenzy that is NaNoWriMo. I must confess; I’ve never been one of those die-hard fans of this writing challenge.

Sure, I fully recognize its merits. NaNoWriMo can be an incredible tool for finishing that elusive first novel, pushing your writing boundaries, and becoming part of a vibrant, supportive community. The idea is undeniably appealing.

But here’s the catch. I know myself well enough to understand that I’d get too fixated on the word count, potentially undermining the joy of the writing process. So, for years, I stood on the sidelines, cheering on my fellow writers.

However, this year, something changed. Instead of diving into the traditional NaNoWriMo sprint, I decided to take a different route. I’m challenging myself to do something that’s perhaps equally daunting but significantly more in tune with my writing style and needs.

I’m diving into a month of rigorous self-editing on Book 3. This manuscript has just returned from the editor, sporting a multitude of suggested corrections. It’s my time to dive in and take a closer look at the book, but this time, I aim to relish the process.

For me, it’s no longer about word count control; it’s about immersing myself in my story and striving to make it the best it can be. This is my unique NaNoWriMo spin, and it’s all about enhancing my novel before I send it off, polished and ready, into the world.