National Novel Writing Month begins November 1st, but the planning for the event begins long before that for most of the participants. When I was headed into my second year of NaNoWriMo, I started planning my novel a full month in advance. I actually couldn’t help myself, couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Now that I’m a co-Municipal Liaison for the Lehigh Valley area for the 2nd year, my planning has gone into full swing two months in advance. Once again, I just can’t stop thinking about it. What is our group going to do? How will I help motivate people? Will we raise enough money to help put the donor percentage above 10% this year?
It’s fun, but also a little scary when I stop to think about it. I worry that I won’t plan well enough, or that I’ll get too overwhelmed halfway through and not be able to either complete my novel or support my group well enough. I’m not a natural leader, and it’s easy for me to get overwhelmed and completely switch to passive rather than assertive when I feel I’m out of my element.
Hopefully, planning enough contingencies, making enough plans for things that can happen but that don’t necessarily have to happen, and maybe even making mini-schedules will help me get through this. And if I can get everything plotted out with my co-ML before October is over, so much the better. My notebook is going to be full before the month is over, I can feel it.