What the Hell Is a NaNoWriMo?

Are you ready for NaNoWriMo? I am here to tell you that I am not only ready, I am PSYCHED!
Okay, okay -- enough. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, and translates to a bunch of people trying to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1 & November 30, 2006.
Intrigued?
I was when I heard about it last year and so I checked it out. What I found was a real good time. So, I am here this year to preach the gospel of NoNoWriMo. Nonbeliever?
First, you have to close your eyes and say:

NaNoWriMo!

Okay now open your eyes and click on that link.

There you shall find a a website that encourages this madness and does so in a very fun, inspiring way. The creators of this venture ask you to embrace the notion that writing in such a Kamikaze fashion will mean you write, write, write and therefore create a lot of crap, but perhaps also take some risks, make leaps any sane person writing at a normal speed might think twice about, and -- in short -- grow. Maybe even play. Perhaps (GASP) loosen up a bit.

Can you just type something you have already written? NO!

You can organize reference material, notes, etc, but the idea is write the whole thing in 30 days.

Now, as if to torture you, they include diversions on this site as well. There are very good Q& A sessions and forums that are both interesting and very fun. There is a forum devoted to advice, to encouragement, plot doctoring, and -- my favorite -- Character and Plot Realism. There you can find experts on things as diverse as symptoms of mental illness and boat making, child birth and European history, fetishes and sports. But anyone can read questions and post answers.

Last year I got feedback to such plot and character questions as:
How much would a teen-ager charge to shovel a neighbor's driveway?
Masons! What are the steps in replacing a brick patio?
Medical expert: How could a guy get stabbed in the chest and live?

Although the process is to begin 11/1, the site has been geared up since October 1st. A quick scroll through the already humming Character and Plot Realism forum today revealed these question topics:

"Effects of the moon"

"How many people usually on a cheerleading squad"

and

"Best ways to cut up an alien body"

So here is a hearty shove in the dumpa (Polish for butt). Come on and join me! On December 1st you'll be able to tell loved ones and friends, "I wrote a novel last month!" And, hell, wouldn't that be a kick?