Well, I’m doing it again.

This year, with everything else grinding painfully to a halt, I have never been more grateful to have NaNoWriMo and a proper writing project to distract me. Especially since I am now starting to feel the effects of having spent three months stuck inside.

When the lockdown first started, I thought I would be fine. I’m an introvert and very comfortable with sitting at home reading a book or playing video games for hours at a time. I thought I would continue to be mentally healthy, keeping contact with family and coworkers, encouraging my students online and breaking up the monotony with the occasional (socially distanced) walk in the park. But I’ve learned now that I have a limit. I think I’m starting to understand how caged animals feel. More specifically alpacas, because my hair situation is also becoming dire.

So hopefully, having a set word count every day and a supportive community to give me a kick up the arse will keep me occupied enough to stop me going insane, while also pumping out some short stories that have been on the (way) back burner for a while.

I’ve joined a new group on Scribophile – CampNaNoWriMo – I’ve announced my project, I’ve made myself known in the forums…..

…and I am 2739 words into my first story! That is a massive achievement compared to how most of my NaNoWriMo projects go (not very well).

This month I aim to finally finish ‘The Whispering Tree’ and a couple of other shorts titled ‘Roses’ , ‘Midnight River’, and an as yet untitled short based on an honestly terrifying story my grandmother told me. I’ve even made a banner for the first story:

Wish me luck and, if you’re also doing Camp this year, look for me on the NaNoWriMo website under Toni Moth.