Hello from the kotatsu! It is almost chilly enough here in Kyoto for me to merit breaking out the futon cover for this little table of mine… At least, at night. In the daytime, at most you still just need long sleeves. But hey, we’re slowly but surely (and finally) going from summer… and hurtling right into winter.

Autumn? What’s autumn?

At any rate, the end of the year is rushing up to meet us. I’m not even used to 2020 yet, and we’re heading into 2022? What is this nonsense?

More importantly, let’s talk about what’s looming just around the corner: NaNoWriMo.

For those of you not in the know, NaNoWriMo–or National Novel Writing Month–is the concept of writing 50,000 words between November 1st and 30th. The purpose is to get a messy first draft of something out on paper so that you can wrangle a novel from it. There are several currently published authors out there who have used this tactic (although they will tell you that the finished product looks nothing like that original draft!), and it’s a fun way for writers to get in touch with their local community.

Of course, that’s a bit more challenging with The Current Situation being what it is. But I’ve always participated in NaNo, even though I’ve only won it a couple of times. It’s exhausting, challenging, and very fun.

So, I hear you saying, what are you working on this time?

I’m glad you asked!

I have two projects in mind, both novels, and we’ll see how far I get on either one.

The first project is something I’ve already been working on: a collection of connections I’ve made with people around the world. Travel, especially on your own, can be scary to contemplate. I want to show my experience befriending everyone–from the old lady singing a local folk song, to the people sharing my hostel rooms, down to the friendly cats who decide that I am Worthy ™ to pet them. I’m excited to share this spin where the focus is not on the sightseeing spots themselves, necessarily, but the people who walk by those spots every day (or wish they could).

The second project is a fantasy novel I originally attempted in 2019, but couldn’t get off the ground. In it, a woman becomes immortal purely by accident, and must deal with the consequences…both immediate, and long-term. There will be delicious food, mysterious ladies in black, irritated dragon clerks, and above all, family–found and made.

I don’t expect to finish both projects, but I do hope to complete at least one of them! Wish me luck!

Are you joining NaNoWriMo this year? Have you ever? What is your tale that you want to share with the world?