National Novel Writing Month is a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. NaNoWriMo began in 1999 and the program includes real life and virtual gatherings of participants
You might be thinking
But 300,000 writers will attempt it this year
Maybe one of your friends
Someone you follow on Tumblr
Or the guy sitting next to you at Starbucks
But basically 300,000 people have the world's biggest term paper due in 30 days, and it's going to lead to some stress.
At the beginning they'll be hopeful, calm, full of inspiration
They'll quote authors about the power of the written word
Jot down ideas in one of their moleskine notebooks
But about halfway through the month, things will start to go downhill
It might start as a confession on Facebook
Or the decision to skip a few days and relax
You don't have to worry until they break out the exhaustion GIFs
Or start taking out their frustration on their desks
Sometimes all they'll need is a little encouragement
Or a lot of encouragement
You can distract them with something shiny
Or offer food
Around Thanksgiving exhaustion will become hopelessness
And frustration will morph into rage
Dole out head pats accordingly
Use your judgment about distance
There will be moments of calm leading up to the end
But November 30th will be a night of blind panic. Do not attempt to approach the writers
Don't worry: On December 1st, NaNoWriMo writers will be back to normal, if just a little tired
And they'll have 11 months to recover before NaNoWriMo 2013
