Living the Fictional Dream

This weekend, my writing group is having its NaNoWriMo kick-off party. There is an official DFW kick-off (which I would have enjoyed attending, had my schedule permitted), but every year I really look forward to the group’s own event. It’s fun to relax and brainstorm with a group of friends, and we play games like made-up word Scrabble (the most fun part is defining your made up words!) and NaNo Balderdash (using clues from our novels or stories-in-progress).

Throughout November, we’ll also be having write-ins several times a week. They are open to any DFW Wrimo who wants to join us, but at least the group will have each other to write with. There is something about that creative air at a write-in… it’s inspiring. And word wars (who can write the most words in 5 minutes) are hilarious (unless you get hit in the head with a Snickers bar, which did happen once, though I can’t remember now why we were throwing candy).

Even if I weren’t doing NaNo this year, I would still love our group’s kick-off and the weekly write-ins. They are a great time to spend together and to get writing done. I know some people probably find write-ins more inspiring to chatting than writing, but I love that they are a dedicated time where I know I will be working on whatever project is on my mind. It’s hard, sometimes, to carve out that writing time when you’re at home, and there are always good shows on TV, good books to read, laundry or cleaning to do, etc. A write-in is an event, and that helps me give writing a priority.