Taking November off

I have just, with great sadness, added the following text to my NaNoWriMo profile:

With great regret I have decided that, for the first time in five years, I won’t be taking part in NaNoWriMo this year. This makes me very sad – I love the event and it’s taken me in all sorts of unexpected and very exciting directions. I have a lot to thank it for.

But the last thing I need at the moment is to start something new. Rather I need to concentrate on sorting out the vast body of writing that the last four NaNoWriMos have generated into something finished and coherent.

Since I can’t in all conscience say that I’m prepared to start a new work from scratch on November 1, there is no option but to sit this year’s event out. Good luck to everyone who is taking part.