I've been writing for as long as I can remember, but my first novel sprung from 2008's NanoWriMo and a desire to avoid schoolwork. My writing teacher told me one morning that if I could complete a 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of November for the yearly challenge, I wouldn't have to turn in any assignments for the remainder of the semester. 

I finished that god-awful book in 23 days, but when I was finished I didn't stop. It's been almost 9 years, and every year from 2008 I've participated in NanoWriMo, and been writing year round. My first novel, Whiteout, was originally the product of a NanoWriMo as well, but now it's been published by Aberrant Literature and is receiving rave reviews on both Amazon and GoodReads. 

https://www.amazon.com/Whiteout-Ventner-Adventure-Ashton-Macaulay/dp/0998021156/