NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, and this year it is the first time that I’m attempting the challenge of writing 50,000 words in 30 days. I’ve been able to clock up to 13,000 words in the last 11 days, so I’m on my way. But for the inspiring writer, the major challenge is not the completion of a jumble of words, but to assemble the words into a meaningful flow of literature— something that someone would want to read. Staking in the proposed novels on the NaNoWriMo website has given me that repugnant feeling that we are all a giant ocean of hopelessly optimistic novices tossing pollen out onto the wings of destiny hoping that one of the 250,000 participates will strike upon a really brilliant idea. While although it may seem hopeless, and everyone one I meet is somewhat reluctant to emit they every tried NaNoWriMo (and typically failed or the novel remains unpublished), the idea is grand and simple: go out there and write! And writing, just the practice of it is good. Getting into the habit of writing each day, of enjoying the expression of your wildest fantasy splashed onto the page, without a care if it will ever be read. This is the act of writing for only the sanity of writing. So what if it has no purpose. If it entertains only your old worn eyeballs and sack of brains, then so be it. For writing fiction is fun. That is why I do it. You can read about my working novel here.