InWriMo?

Having once again vented by spleen on the whole NaNoWriMo thing, I got to thinking this morning about an alternative.

International Writing Month (InWriMo).

We could hold this nonevent in the month of February. It’s a short month devoid of any complicated holidays (Valentine’s Day, really?). It’s arguably the most miserable month of the year, situated as it is in the dead of winter for a lot of us. We’d be in nobody’s way.

Some proposed InWriMo rules:

1. No word counts. High word counts do not constitute good writing.
2. No writing sprints. InWriMo is not about speed.
3. No winners or losers. Writing is an art, not a game.
4. No t-shirts to buy. What are you, 10?
5. No reward stickers, washi tape, pages to color, or fairy lights. See rule #4.
6. Asking fellow writers, “What should I write about?” will get you banned to the lowest circle of literary hell for all eternity.
7. All participants MUST possess a thesaurus. Asking a fellow writer, “What’s another word for…?” will result in. . .well, see #6.
8. Participants are free to offer suggestions on the process but may not declare, “You’re not a real writer unless (fill in the blank).” Again, see #6, you insufferable bore.
9. Participants will swear a blood oath that they will not, on March 1st, submit their half-baked first draft to an agent/publisher or attempt to self-publish what they throw together in February.
10. Participants will refrain from faux writing activities, such as putting together complicated planners or dream boards, or conducting complicated coffeemaking rituals.

What are the InWriMo goals?

1. AIS (ass in seat). During InWriMo, we will strive to develop a good writing habit. Each participant will decide what that involves, taking into consideration their own temperament and family/work/life obligations.
2. Participants are free to choose to work on any parts of the writing process. These include but are not limited to brainstorming, research, character development, editing, and staring at the wall.
3. Writing with a group (in person or online) is permitted, provided the rules against sprints and word counts are not violated.

I won’t be setting up a fancy website simply because it is neither necessary nor within my skillset. I had to set up a new printer last week and had to pour myself a glass of wine to finish the task. Seriously. Besides, the last thing we need is another organization soliciting money, no matter how worthy the cause. I don’t know about you, but I’m broke.

No InWriMo participants will be expected to lay their personal religious or ideological opinions on the altar of the tolerance gods in order to participate. Wokeness stifles creativity and we have enough fascist overlords in our society.

InWriMo is intended for those who are serious about the craft. It is not a fun club to join. It’s not a competition. It’s for those who are working on a manuscript they intend to publish one day and who would take some comfort in knowing there are other people out there like them who are struggling to do the same.

Yes. I officially declare February to be International Writing Month (InWriMo). Feel free to participate. Or not. Nobody’s keeping track.