NaNoWriMo? Why, no! Why not?
Quite a few of my blogging buddies are taking a shot at writing fiction this month - and why not? November has been National Novel Writing Month - NaNoWriMo for short - for the past ten years, and thousands of people (over 100,000 this year alone!) have set themselves the goal of producing a 50,000-word novel by the end of the month. It's great to have a support group for an effort like this. It's ambitious, it's admirable...and it's not for me. Never say never, but for now, I'm just saying NO to NaNoWriMo.
There are a couple of things y'all know about me: I love to read, and I love to write. Also, I love to write about what I read, otherwise this blog would never have been born. I think there are some truths about life and humanity and why we are the way we are that are best explored through fiction. I think that fiction can help us identify themes in our own lives. I enjoy vicariously experiencing lives that are different from my own, and finding things that make them feel not so different. I respect the creativity and imagination that can invent characters and storylines and situations that capture my mind and my emotions.
One reason that I respect it is that I'm pretty sure I don't have it.
I love the novel, and I think it deserves to be considered at the peak of creative endeavors, but my own creative impulses just don't go in that direction. Some people manage to be both writers and storytellers, while some lean one way or the other. I've read a few books by storytellers whose strength wasn't in the writing; I'm writing without having much of a story to tell.
I've learned over the last couple of years that the kind of writing I most enjoy doing - and that I seem to be pretty competent at - is the sort of thing I do here. It's personal essays and news reports. It's the occasional topical op-ed piece, and the frequent cultural discussions (that would be the book and movie reviews). Despite my tendency toward long-windedness at times, it's short-form writing. It allows for creative expression, but it's rooted in my everyday life. It gives me enough maneuvering room to satisfy me, and I think it'll keep satisfying me for a while longer. While I love reading fiction, I just don't feel a yearning to produce it; nonfiction writing feels like my niche.
With that realization, I can put the goal of writing the Next So-So American Novel to rest...for now. Like I said, never say never, so I'll have to check back on it next November. But are you participating in NaNoWriMo? I'd love to know how it's going, if you are - and if you're having fun! (And if you'd like a reader, just ask - I'm pretty good at that!)
One reason that I respect it is that I'm pretty sure I don't have it.
I love the novel, and I think it deserves to be considered at the peak of creative endeavors, but my own creative impulses just don't go in that direction. Some people manage to be both writers and storytellers, while some lean one way or the other. I've read a few books by storytellers whose strength wasn't in the writing; I'm writing without having much of a story to tell.
I've learned over the last couple of years that the kind of writing I most enjoy doing - and that I seem to be pretty competent at - is the sort of thing I do here. It's personal essays and news reports. It's the occasional topical op-ed piece, and the frequent cultural discussions (that would be the book and movie reviews). Despite my tendency toward long-windedness at times, it's short-form writing. It allows for creative expression, but it's rooted in my everyday life. It gives me enough maneuvering room to satisfy me, and I think it'll keep satisfying me for a while longer. While I love reading fiction, I just don't feel a yearning to produce it; nonfiction writing feels like my niche.
With that realization, I can put the goal of writing the Next So-So American Novel to rest...for now. Like I said, never say never, so I'll have to check back on it next November. But are you participating in NaNoWriMo? I'd love to know how it's going, if you are - and if you're having fun! (And if you'd like a reader, just ask - I'm pretty good at that!)
12 comments via Blogger:
Yup, I'm in the NaNoWriMo game right now. I like your take on the whole plan and I think that's the beginning of any good writer- knowing what you like to write and where your strengths lie. But you still may have a yen to write a novel one day.....
I'm not doing NaNoWriMo for much of the same reasons you aren't.
As you know, I'm doing it this year. My schedule this week doesn't allow me to start of strong since I'm on midnights, but I have a stretch of days off in the middle of the month that should allow me to catch up.
What's neat about it is the authors that are showing there support in many ways. I know when I'm done, no matter what the word count, it won't be a finished novel, but it will feel good to have a big start.
We'll see how it goes! :)
I've been up since 2:30 int he afternoon yesterday, so forgive me if this makes no sense. :)
Karen H (Scobberlotcher) - I've been keeping up with your NaNoWriMo activities, and it seems like it's worked out well for you!
As I said, I'm not saying never, but I'm pretty sure I don't have a novel clamoring to get out right now :-).
Kathy (Bermudaonion) - I'm glad I have company in sitting this out!
Mike - From what I understand, the goal is to end up with a 50,000-word first draft. I think it's great that you're doing it, and hope you'll blog some more about it once you've made some progress. Good luck!
Yes, I completely relate to you. Ironically, when I was a kid I dreamed of writing a great American novel. Um, too bad I have no talent...
Rebecca - But you write a great blog!
I figure the world needs readers too :-).
I've never been a great fiction writer -- always wanted to, but never any good. I think that's why I want to be a journalist, actually. Storytelling is an important part of the work, but it's storytelling based on facts and situations and people that already exist. I can make stories when I have the materials, it's the materials I just can't come up with myself :)
Thanks for linking to this post, it was interesting!
Kim - That makes a lot of sense to me. I had journalistic ambitions myself at one point, and occasionally blogging lets me indulge them a bit.
I know what you mean about needing the materials to create a story - that's probably how fan fiction got started :-).
My husband's struggling through NaNoWriMo again this year. He's pretty much decided just to make it his goal to be writing through to the end of the month and not worry about the word count. I think that will work out best for him in the long run. I'm just happy to see him writing again. It's something he loves to do and is such a big part of who he is.
Wendy (Literary Feline) - I think Anjin has the right idea; just developing the habit and discipline are important. It's similar to why I did NaBloPoMo two years ago...but now I have the habit of regular posting, and I don't necessarily want to post every day, so I haven't signed on for it again.
I commend you for knowing what writing is best for you. Nano is a fun exercise for me, but I have an internal editor that makes writing just any old thing difficult during Nano. I'm still struggling, but at least it inspires me to get back to one of the unfinished novels on my computer...even if I start by rewriting.
Serena - I think I'd have the same "internal editor" issue, and would never make any progress because of it. And who knows - I may try NaNoWriMo one year. Just not this one :-). I hope it's going well for you!
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