I know what you’re thinking.

The point of NaNoWrimo (National Novel Writing Month) is not only to write a book but to have a community that shares in the struggle and supports one another. 

Before you get the wrong idea, here’s the backstory.

Before I started NaNoWriMo, I was extremely discouraged.

At the time, I had an eight-month-old who was getting me up at all hours of the night and a toddler who was keeping me busier than a one-legged rooster in a butt-kicking during the day. 

I was completely exhausted, physically and mentally.  Most nights, I was lucky enough to write half a page before passing out.  On the worst nights, I was lucky to write a sentence, if any words at all.

So, when the end of October was rolling around, people began posting in preparation for the month of November. 

And I found myself being resentful. 

Now, I’m not normally the kind who envies others’ success.  Everyone has their own journeys and I can’t expect mine to look the same. 

However, this resentment told me one thing:  I wanted to make goals and accomplish them.  I was desiring success in my writing.

I was mad.  Not at the people out there doing their best but at myself. 

This most recent book of mine has been in my head for over a year and a half.  It was in the early works before I got pregnant with my son.  My pregnancy ended up being very rough and I didn’t write. 

I’ve written and published a total of five novels and none have ever taken as long to write as this one.  And, boy, was my mind telling me I couldn’t do NaNoWriMo.

My God is bigger.

As a Christian author, there is only one person who can make my writing goals happen and it’s not me.  It’s God.

Through November, I learned quite a few lessons. 

First, with God, anything is possible.

You’ve heard it a million and one times, right?  But, it’s true.  Sadly, it takes having to rely on Him to truly understand what that scripture means. 

Here’s what it meant for me. 

My original goal was 1,000 words a day.

This is what I accomplished:

-Total word count:  60,658

-Book #6 words written: 40,131 (finished the first draft at over 80,000)

-Book #7 words written:  20,527

Yes, you read that right.  Not only did I accomplish my original goal of 1,000 words a day (which would have ended with 30,000 words written), I doubled it!

I not only finished my current work in progress, but I also started another book. 

This leads me to another lesson I learned:  God not only helps us accomplish our goals, but He helps us surpass what we thought was possible.

There was so much doubt going on in my mind as to whether I could even do 1,000 words a day (and by day, I mean the few hours between putting the kids to bed and me passing out).  My most words written in a single night ended up being almost 5,000!

There was a lot of pressure going into November.  I mean, I practically spit in Satan’s face and said go back to where you came from because I’m doing this and you can’t stop me. 

Third lesson:  When God has plans for you, Satan is going to do his best to stop you.

November was a month full of obstacles.  We had illnesses in the family.  The dog needed a cone on two separate occasions.  Our dryer broke with a load of clothes soaking wet in the washer.  My husband and I had more disputes.  Just to name a few.

Nothing in my life was off-limits to Satan.  He attacked me on all fronts, affecting my mental health and my home life. 

But, no matter what he threw my way, I kept my eyes on God and smiled.  I knew that if Satan was trying this hard to stop me, God was going to use me for His good. 

It wasn’t easy but I wouldn’t give up the experience for anything.  I learned more about myself and my awesome God. 

Maybe I couldn’t accomplish my goals, but God could.  And he did… Times two!

Whether you’re a writer or you have an entirely different goal, I hope that my experience can motivate you to take the big step.  I know you’re afraid and discouraged. 

Block out Satan’s lies telling you that you aren’t good enough.

You can do it! 

And, if your experience is anything like mine, Satan will attack.  It will be hard.  But, if you lean on God, you will undergo an intimate and inspiring journey with God that makes you realize that with Him, all things really are possible. 

Want more inspiration?  Check out my other blog posts here!

Check out my books for more uplifting stories filled with hope, love, and healing!

Signed copies are available on my Pango Bookstore!