For those of you who don’t know, NaNoWriMo stands for National Writing Month and it takes place November 1st through the 30th. The goal is to write 50,000 words during the month of November.

I did it once a couple years ago and won, but I have yet to attempt it since. This year, however, is going to be different. Not only do I have an idea that’s been brewing in my head since last July – I’ve already got more than half of the novel outlined. I guess I should make  a point here, and that point is this: I’m gearing up to write 50,000 words during the next month while taking a full credit load and working two jobs. I’m making this post not only to inform you about this amazing program, but to ask you to join me in competing so that you may hold me accountable while relishing in your own success. To complete NaNoWriMo, you only have to write about 1,700 words a day – it adds up pretty quickly.

This year’s is going to be the start of a trilogy, I’ve already got the entire series planned out in my head – and now it is just a matter of getting it finished. I don’t want to say too much about the first book, but I can tell you this. The book is going to be called Golden, and as of right now I plan on calling the second book Crimson – book three’s title is up in the air.

Golden, a Young Adult fantasy novel, is going to be centered around Bethany McAlister’s freshman year in college – but with a bit of a twist. What kind of fantasy novel would it be without one? I can tell you this: there will be dragons, swoon-worthy romance, and an abundance of sarcasm (I can’t help myself).

I’m currently working on a cover, and I will post it when it’s finished.

As a teaser, here is a bit of a short excerpt:

“I am trying to make friends, strangely enough.” He murmured, the faintest of frowns pulling down the corners of his lips.

I couldn’t help myself. A huff of air – meant to be a laugh – escaped through my lips. “Trying? I find that hard to believe.”

Caden turned to look at me, this time there was what could be described as a gentle inquisitiveness to his gaze. “And why is that?” He softly questioned while tapping the edge of his pen against his lower lip.

It was distracting.

I found my gaze drawn toward the motion of his pen as if on their own accord, I certainly had not told them to go in that direction. I tore my eyes away, dropping my gaze back down to the table as I pretended to shuffle through the pages in front of me. In reality, I was stalling – trying to come up with a reasonable explanation that wouldn’t come off as too mean.

“Well…” I stalled, drawing the word out longer than usual. I stole a quick glance back up at him, my previous train of thought fleeing my mind altogether. Very distracting indeed.

I cleared my throat, trying for some sense of normalcy before trying again. “Well,” I repeated, “if you were trying, you’d be more like Warren. You’d be more open to conversation and not ignore people when they say hello. I might mistake you for him, in fact, if it weren’t for the fact that he is-”

Caden cut me off, humor dancing in his emerald hues. “Shorter? Ill tempered? Immature?”

“Not an arrogant ass.” I stated, deadpan, when he finally finished.

“An arrogant ass? Me?” He seemed aghast, his hand placed over his heart in mock horror. “I shall have you know that I am the perfect gentleman.”

So, what do you think? Horrible? Interesting? You don’t have to answer, I’m mostly rambling to myself at this point.

Are any of you guys doing a NaNoWriMo novel? What’s it about? How long have you been planning/outlining? (if you’ve been planning at all, that is).

Let’s band together and finish this beast of a challenge!