I did it!
My first year doing NaNoWriMo and I just won! 50,134 words in 29 days. Completed despite missing three days of writing due to Thanksgiving and two days of 20th High School reunion immediately following. Of course, reduced hours at word definitely contributed to my success. Next year I hope to succeed while also pulling a 30-hour work week! Any which way, I didn't expect to make it for sure, although I certainly hoped I would. I'm still amazed I could do it. My story took turns I didn't expect, and since it's still not complete I have the continuing challenge of figuring out how it all works together. I'm planning to continue the philosophy of keeping the internal editor out of it until it's completely finished. And I'm planning to continue writing each day to finish it. This is my first novel, it's an experiment. And I'm having fun with it. And now I know I can do it.