Are you up for a challenge?

nanowrimoIt happens every few months or so. I get restless. I start feeling unfulfilled and bored. I want some excitement, something new, but I don’t really know what that something might be.

We all get in a rut sometimes. The question is, what do you do about it? Do you complain? Wallow in unhappiness? Or do you try something new? Take on a challenge and see where it takes you?

I’m constantly challenging myself to try new things and explore new interests. Most of them don’t stick. A lot of them end up being unfinished projects or even unstarted projects. But you’ll never discover new interests if you don’t challenge yourself with new things.

Quilting, photography, this blog … all of my hobbies started out with a trial run. And it’s time for me to take on yet another challenge.

This year, I’ll be participating in National Novel Writing Month. I will write a 50,000 word novel between November 1 and November 30. I already have an idea and a rough plot outline.

The purpose isn’t to write a great piece of literature. In fact, it’s likely that the finished project will be total crap. It will be rushed, unedited, and hastily written. But it will be a novel, and it will force me to write creatively every day for a month.

I haven’t written fiction since junior high, so I’m looking forward to this new challenge. At the end of the month, I may decide that I’m better off sticking with nonfiction for the rest of my life. Or I may discover a new passion for fiction. Who knows where this new challenge will lead me, but that’s part of the fun of it.

I’m going to try very hard not to let this new project interfere with my writing here, but the fact is, I might be a little pressed for time in the coming month. If I miss a day here or there, you’ll know why.

So how about you? Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? Are you hungry for a new challenge? Have you always wanted to run a marathon or make a scrapbook? There’s no better time than now to make it happen. Let’s make November the month of new beginnings!

Photo by olivander

5 thoughts on “Are you up for a challenge?

  1. Stacey

    I recently had the same spell of boredom and decided I am going to volunteer some of my time at the local Humane Society. I am excited to start helping out some animals!

  2. from the desk of ...me

    i love the idea of november being the month for new beginnings. since my birthday is at the beginning of november, it makes it even better. i am going to do the writing challenge also. i have a friend that did it last year and i think writing is therapeutic so i am excited. thanks for sharing and happy writing.

  3. imelda

    Me too! I just decided this afternoon to do NaNoWriMo this year. I’ve tried in the past but failed; no harm in trying again!

    I’ll be checking in periodically to see how you’re doing, if it’s something you plan to blog about. Good luck!! I’m already revving up to start and, like you, have an idea and basic outline ready. This is a story I’ve been trying to write for years…hope this year it finally happens. :-)

  4. Pingback: It’s not failure; it’s an opportunity to learn

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