This article origionally appeared on Dane101.com.  Check back here for updates throughout the month of November.

It started harmless enough – an excuse to sit down and devote my attention to he rough novel idea I had been kicking around for a couple of years.  So began my initial journey through National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo as participants call it) in November of 2005.

As the month sped past, I managed to juggle school, work, and a social life while transcribing the ideas that floated through my head for years.  The concepts made their way to my computer screen, and by November 30th I completed my novel and “Won”  NaNoWriMo.

Little did I know that was only the beginning.

As fall arrived a year later, I was a full time grad student working on the side.  Still, I was determined to try  NaNoWriMo again.  Too many ideas and too little time killed my attempt early on.  Last year, over 100,000 individuals started NaNoWriMo, with 15,333 people finishing their novel.  I was in in the 85 percent that did not finish.

So here I am on the eve of November 1st.  The need to fill the addiction that started three years ago has resurfaced.   Talking with other past participants, I’ve learned it is an obsession.  Most want to try again, regardless of their results last year.

This year I am prepared.  I’ve formulated my concept, envisioned the characters, and have a rough story idea planned.  Still, this does not guarantee success.

However, like most addicts, I think this time might be different.  Maybe I will succeed this year.  Maybe I can finish the month with a smile on my face rather than a feeling of disappointment.

The insanity begins at 12:01 a.m. Tomorrow morning, but I plan to begin after I recover from the Dane101 Halloween Party.  I’ll need to average 1,667 words per day to complete my quest.  To some this may sound easy;  other impossible – but needless to say it will define my life for the next 30 days.

I know there are others out there like me – others that will attempt to create a story from nothing in November.  Post your story in the comments.  Also, I plan to update my progress weekly on my blog MidwesternBoy.com.  Feel free to check it out for details.

“Win or lose, you rock for even trying” – ‘How NaNoWriMo Works (in Ten Easy Steps)‘