Last year I participated in National Novel Writing Month. I have always felt I had a book floating around in my head. In October last year I thought what better way than to participate in the event to get it out of my head and down into black and white. So I signed up and participated.
It was a great experience. I highly recommend it for anyone who thinks that they have a novel floating around in their head. It kept me going and the pressure to get the words out of my head on a schedule gave me some feel what doing this for a living might involve. I wrote every single day. My novel moved forward excuses not allowed.
Unfortunately I am sitting this year out. For the first time I can ever remember there is not book in my head taking shape. I am not sure why, but I chalk it up to doing so much self exploration right now. No matter the cause this year I am sitting National Novel Writing Month out. It is the right thing at this time.
Good luck to all the rest of you who have made the commitment to write this year.
Looking Out the Window 
The writers group I belong to has it’s own little writing challenge every month for those who want to join. It’s enough for me. I’ve thought of joining the national one but I think it would leave me in the dust. I’m a very slow writer. Hope you will still work on your novel, though.