Write a Novel About LGBT Families

November is National Novel Writing Month, when aspiring novelists are challenged to write a 50,000-word work (about 175 pages) in 30 days. In 2006, over 79,000 people participated and nearly 13,000 reached the 50,000-word goal. The organizers say:

Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.

Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It’s all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.

Now, while I’d love to take up the challenge, I’d have to put this blog, my family, or my sanity on hold for the duration, and I’m reluctant to give up any of them (though the last is slipping already). I hope, however, that at least one of you out there will make the attempt. If you do, and if your work is about LGBT parents or children thereof in some way, let me know and I’ll publish the first chapter (or the first 1500 words, whichever is shorter) here at Mombian. Novels for either grown-ups or young adults are welcome. (You’ll retain all rights to the work. I just reserve the right not to publish anything that in my opinion promotes hate or is anti-LGBT.)

Regardless of your topic, let us know in the comments if you are participating, so we can send some encouragement your way over the course of the month. The NaNoWriMo organizers also have a slew of community resources to support writers in their ambitious endeavor. (And don’t forget to register with NaNoWriMo so they can add you to the official list of participants.)