Or: Why I chose to F@ck Around and Find Out instead of trying to write a novel in a month + an invitation for you to join in the fun!
I love writing this time of year. Personally, writing feels deeply nostalgic when the frost hits, and the leaves begin to turn and fall. In years past, I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo, and though it’s gone, its spirit clearly lives on. I’ve seen organizations like ProWritingAid, Reedsy, and Dabble put together month-long writing challenges in a NaNo-esque fashion, with various levels of support. And I know lots of writers participating individually.
And if that is you, I am cheering you on! Go get it!
Recently, a podcast guest, Amy Goldmacher—I can’t wait for you all to hear this one! So good—asked me if I’d be joining any of the Novel Writing Novemberness, and I strongly considered it.
I’ve been dabbling with a new story while waiting on beta feedback, so in theory I’m in the right place to jump in… but honestly, I don’t want the pressure, and I’m not really sure where I’m going with this story.
Well, I mean, I have the premise, the characters, the conflict, but I’m realizing that this is a deeply internal story. Maybe the most character-driven thing I’ve ever attempted, and that lack of external plot has me a bit stumped. I don’t see the story goalposts the way I usually do. And lately that hasn’t felt very good.
But maybe it’s okay. Maybe instead of deciding my lack of goalposts means I don’t know enough to begin, what if I choose to see it as an invitation? To explore? To have fun?
Amy said she wasn’t participating either because she was still wrapping her head around a story idea and wasn’t sure how she wanted to deliver it.
So we decided to coin F@ck Around and Find Out November, or FAAFON! Absolutely no rules. No word counts. No structure. Nothing.
Just tossing stuff on the page, in the journal, or wherever for the simple purpose of exploration and enjoyment. I think I’m going to take my novel idea and see if I can write a short story from it, maybe front-load it with a flashback, and see what happens.
I KNOW! My brain is going full Merlin: “You’re gonna do what?” But hey, four out of five Emily Henry books can’t be wrong! 😂
So if you are in between things like Amy and me, or maybe playing with something new, or just feel burnt out right now, consider joining us. Nothing formal.
Just write and do your best to have fun.
Sometimes, for me, having fun is the challenge. Just ask my kid.
So here’s to letting down the guardrails, making a mess, and being excited about it.
Whichever way you approach the next thirty days of your writing, I’m rooting for you!
Join a Free FAAFONo Write-In Hosted By Write It Scared!
And because writing is more fun when we have people to share the experience with, I'm opening up some free Write It Scared community write-ins this November.
If you've never attended a write-in before, it's pretty simple.
We gather on Zoom, say hello, and briefly share what we're working on if we feel like it. Then everyone goes on mute, cameras go off, and we spend some time working independently on our creative projects.
Toward the end, we come back together and have an opportunity to share how things went or what we discovered.
That's it.
No word count reporting. No expectations about how much you accomplish. No pressure to share your work.
It's a chance to be in the company of other writers who are making space for creativity.
My only ask is that if you participate in a write-in, you fill out this Google form, think of it as registration, which will give you the when and where of the write-ins and have you agree to some basic community guidelines, because creating kind, respectful, supportive spaces for writers matters to me.
[Register for the free November Write It Scared write-ins here.]
I'd love to see you there. And if you can't make the full hour or can't make it on time, either is fine. Just come in on mute and don't interrupt the silence :)
If you decide to join, I’d love for you to extend the invitation to another writer who’d benefit!
Whatever approach you're taking to your writing this month, I'm rooting for you.
Remember: Writing a novel is an inside job, and we don't have to do it alone.
