This is a article first posted on my external blog, A Pencil Is Best. In the writing universe, November is NaNoWriMo - it's a chance for writers to concentrate on their work in progress. Here, I look at an alternative of doing different writing-related activities, and reflect on their meaning.

When I persuaded my friend and editor to take part in one of YeahWrite's fiction/poetry grids, I was pleased for a number of reasons. His Views From Home were a masterclass in writing a kimo, in my opinion; YeahWrite's editors agreed, giving him a coveted Editor's Pick. I teased him about this - he's entered twice and been given an Editor's Pick both times. Am I jealous? Well... no. He's an infinitely better poet than I am. Also he's going through one of those doldrums which makes you doubt your creative abilities. The kimos' reception gave both of us a fillip.

So was that my good deed for the day? Yes, but it also meant I ticked off one of YeahWrite's NaNoDoMore tasks.

Hands up if your social media feed of choice was full to bursting during November with people pushing themselves to write squillions of words. Absolutely not my idea of fun; or even a suitable challenge. So to be presented with a November smörgåsbord of writing-related mini-challenges is much more my cup of tea.

Wasn't the case last year. I remember giving the page a cursory once-over and moving swiftly on. But then I was juggling several stories throughout the entire month. This year I've been kinder to myself, enjoying time away from such pressures. It has meant some loss of discipline though. Slowly I'm getting back into the habit of writing / revising / editing each day.

A piece I wrote last month managed to tick two boxes - one intended, the other not.  Absence Note is one of my rare attempts at writing non-fiction. In fact, its subject is the difficulties I encounter putting myself into such an essay. My previous non-fiction offerings had been let down quite gently by those kind enough to comment. This one received a decent reception; surprisingly so. A nano achievement, but one perhaps you might share with family members. Something along the lines of 'You know my essays usually suck, yeah? Well, how about reading this one...' 

Only it won't happen. Or not any time soon. Why? My siblings don't know I write. If this cues expressions of incomprehension, that's no great surprise. In a liberal Western democracy (only 10 more days to the blank election), there are very few reasons to hide creative writing. Yes, many people write for only themselves, but I don't. Almost all my work is posted either here or on my home site.

So what's the issue? It's simply this: writing has been - and continues to be -  the key to me discovering myself. Absence Note skirts around the topic, dropping hints and talking about my family. That piece in particular would be off-limits, but any of my stories feel hugely personal. Yes, it would be easy enough to bring up the topic of writing - my siblings wonder what I do to fill my time since I dropped to working part-time. In their shoes, having been told that, my next question would be 'What do you write?'.

I could hedge, deal with generalities, but sooner or later, they'd want to know specifics. And that'll take us into areas never previously explored. We just don't do that sort of conversation. You know, the 'this is who I am' kind. Or emotions. Maybe that's for later, or not at all. For now, I'll take pride in the mega... I was going to put 'achievement' there. Perhaps 'revelation' is a better description for when your subconscious drops a bombshell.

Just like a friend of mine's discovered. A guided period of self-examination led her to accept - without active consideration - her husband's drinking was the root cause of much that was wrong with her life. This has turned her existence upside down. I have the luxury of being able to take my time; of choosing when and how to make my own news known.

Life can spring surprises on all of us. I'm glad mine was good - this time.