This Week's Topic is: Are you doing NaNoWriMo, or have you ever? Does having a deadline inspire you?
I've participated in NaNoWriMo three times and I love the energy of having a deadline. I love writing with other writers, connecting with other writers. I love that there are write-ins at area coffee shops.
The thing I don't love is my finished NaNo projects. Yes, I've won NaNo three times but I've never been able to do anything with these convoluted collections of 50,000 words. The pressure of writing 1677 words a day makes me do crazy things. Like inserting song lyrics into my novel. The craziness of NaNo once had me writing a science fiction middle grade novel even though I have no idea how to write a story that takes place of a space ship because I don't watch a lot of TV that takes place on spaceships.
I'm a slow writer
All that considered I'm still on the fence for this November. I love the energy and the deadline but I so far haven't loved my finished product.
Anyone else NaNoing? Convincing arguments for either side?
9 comments:
You could always go with the theory that writing something is better than writing nothing (assuming you wouldn't be any more productive in November if you didn't do NaNo), and the more you write, the greater the chances are *something* will come of it. Yes, you may end up with 50K words of meaningless drivel. Or you may get an idea out of those 50K words that you develop post-NaNo. Or the 50K words end up, to your surprise, to be something really quite good, and worth pursuing.
If you've got nothing better to do next month (writing-wise, that is), why not go for it? :)
I think this is always the question with NaNo: Quality or quantity? I'm sure some folks manage both, but I think the process is more about getting words out. And for most, I think, that's 90% of the struggle.
Probably boils down to how much do you enjoy editing. :-)
I agree with both Colin and EJ above. If you think you won't write much in November otherwise, why not? Think of it as writing for fun. I LOVE that you wrote a sci fi even though it's not your area of expertise. When else would you have attempted that? For me, I want to participate because I need to work on getting the words on paper a little more efficiently. I can revise and rewrite, no problem. Drafting? Like pulling teeth for me.
Do it! Do it! Do it. (now imagine a group of frat boys chanting that) :P
Woooh! Another Kiwi! I agree with the posts above, you could always write something and see if what you end up with could be turned into someone you love... OR you could use the month as some others are doing, to achieve some other writing goals, like writing X amount of words in the month or doing a lot of revising? Good luck!
I've decided to do NaNo on my own terms, tossing out the chance of 'winning' altogether. I'm going to be working on a story I started last year during NaNo, and hopefully I'll complete it this year. For me it's not about writing 50,000 words, it's about using the opportunity to just get my butt in the chair and have people motivate me and keep me accountable (and to do the same for them). :)
I love the idea of Nano, but it's just not the way I write. So I sit back and enjoy the fun of everyone else's Nano updates.
Carrie, maybe this is the year that you fall in love with the novel you write in November. It's 30 days out of your life - isn't it worth a shot? :) If you do, look me up - JRMinnt.
I just signed up for NaNo today, this will be my first one. I hope you decide to do it! :)
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