… of what NaNoWriMo is like for those of us engaging in the process this month.

I came across a post … on BuzzFeed … courtesy of someone on a writers page … linking to the best explanation of what it is like to participate in NaNoWriMo … ever.

There is no way that I can see that I can just Reblog the thing to here … so I am left with no choice other than to basically cut / copy / paste the whole thing for you to enjoy.

Since it was written last year, you will want to read 2013 and think 2014 … but otherwise it perfectly captures how the months go in all this. At least how my months have gone in 2011, 2012, 2012 Script Frenzy and 2013 Camp NaNoWriMo.

If you want to go to the original, by Molly Horan, click here. Otherwise, read on. It is … well … perfect.

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The Stages Of National Novel Writing Month

You need to prepare for NaNoWriMo,
even if you’re not the one writing

National Novel Writing Month is a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. NaNoWriMo began in 1999 and the program includes real life and virtual gatherings of participants.

You might be thinking

But 300,000 writers will attempt it this year

Maybe one of your friends

Someone you follow on Tumblr

Or the guy sitting next to you at Starbucks

But basically 300,000 people have the world’s biggest term paper due in 30 days, and it’s going to lead to some stress.

At the beginning they’ll be hopeful, calm, full of inspiration

They’ll quote authors about the power of the written word

Jot down ideas in one of their moleskine notebooks

But about halfway through the month, things will start to go downhill

It might start as a confession on Facebook

Or the decision to skip a few days and relax

You don’t have to worry until they break out the exhaustion GIFs

Or start taking out their frustration on their desks

Sometimes all they’ll need is a little encouragement

Or a lot of encouragement

You can distract them with something shiny

Or offer food

Around Thanksgiving exhaustion will become hopelessness

And frustration will morph into rage

Dole out head pats accordingly

Use your judgment about distance

There will be moments of calm leading up to the end

But November 30th will be a night of blind panic. Do not attempt to approach the writers

Don’t worry: On December 1st, NaNoWriMo writers will be back to normal, if just a little tired

And they’ll have 11 months to recover before NaNoWriMo 2013