I've participated in NaNoWriMo for several years because I like the local people involved and I enjoy the social aspects of it. A number of my friends were met through NaNoWriMo.
We've developed a lot of in-jokes, not just the NaNo-wide ones that get posted on the message boards, but our own internal little legends. Some of them are even documented photographically.
One legendary NaNo story involves Itzl.
OK, I'll be honest, a number of them involve Itzl. But this one involves Itzl and Keegan and the Plot Bunnies.
Plot Bunnies are story ideas that are born from your main story idea and they often generate more new ideas. If you let Plot Bunnies proliferate, your novel becomes seriously fragmented. During NaNo, this isn't a genuine problem because Plot Bunnies add to the word count, and NaNoWriMo, while it is about completing a novel (beginning, muddle, end) is also about hitting word count each day.
Some say word count is a distraction and a red herring and novel writing is about much more than how many words you write. That's true, to an extent. But like any other skill, you n eed to rpactice, and NaNoWriMo is excellent practice. It's also a good kickstart for established authors getting a bit of burnout or experiencing writer's block, and a good place for established authors to change genres or create new habits of writing, not to mention the powerful resource tool it's become.
So, yes, I love NaNoWriMo.
And so does Itzl, especially when Plot Bunnies are involved.
See, it all started when Keegan was napping. As he was dreaming away, those dreams took form, one yummy little bunny at a time.
When he woke, the first thing he saw were psychedelic little Plot Bunnies,creeping up on him.
They were everywhere!
Even in the air above him!
He sends out a pleas for rescue.
Itzl comes in to the rescue with a flanking maneuver when he hears Keegan's cries of distress. He's always ready to help a friend.
Together, they conquer the Plot Bunnies and toss them into the Plot Pot for a great big batch of
Plot Bunny Stew.