Let’s Talk Process: NaNoWriMo

I do not do this thing.  At least, not on purpose.  I launched for the sake of solidarity last year and it was fun and I did get my 50,000 in.  I have since discarded, if not the idea, all of the words.  Over which I have shed 0 tears before you get too worried.

This year, I’m planning to try to get 50,000 in on my current work, rather than going start to finish.  I like what I’m working on, I don’t have any other even half-viable ideas at the moment, and, even if I did, I don’t see the purpose of losing momentum on something I’ve already invested in for the long haul.

Those of you who are NaNo-ing, power to you and I’ll be cheering, loud and proud.

And for you, a few things to remember.

This is supposed to be fun, or, at the very least, fun-ish.  There should be moments, even if they are few and far between, even if the vast majority of November is swallowed by darkness and despair and time with *shudder* family, of “Hey, right.  This writing thing is pretty sweet and in this small world I am GOD.” If you’re not having any fun at all, stop.  The NaNo police won’t arrest you, the NaNo hangmen won’t noose you, and the NaNo finishers won’t cheer when the trapdoor opens and your feet flail around until you asphyxiate.  In fact, they’ll probably tell you stories of the time life got in the way, or inspiration failed, or they just plain decided to give it up half way through.  It’s okay.  It is not a failure.  It’s life and all those other things that happen when you’re trying to write.

Deciding not to do NaNo doesn’t make you any less of a writer.  Agents won’t care.  Publishers won’t care.  Colleagues won’t care.  Readers won’t care.  You are a writer if you write and edit and do the work.  Maybe that includes NaNo, maybe it doesn’t. If it works for you, hit that shit.  If it doesn’t, hit a completely different kind of shit.

50,000 words is a lot.  It’s 1,613 words per day (unless you can magically write .9 of a word, in which case, it’s more accurately 1,612.9 words per day) on average.  This is not meant as a deterrent, simply a breakdown  There will be days you write more.  There will be days you will write less.  Up for the challenge? Kick its ass.  But if it’s going to stress you out to the point of writing paralysis or self-recrimination, or any of those other things writers deal with on a daily basis anyway, then don’t let the door hit NaNo on its way out.  We will all still love and support you and tear your beta version to shreds.  With adoration and tenderness.

NaNo novels are not ready to be sent in to agents or publishers.  There is no way someone writing that fast can write something of polished quality that quickly.  It isn’t humanly possible and if you can do it, you’re a mutant or some sort of demigod.  I think December should officially be dubbed NaNoEdMo.  National Novel Editing Month.  As should January, February, and March through next October.  Do the work, friends.

Do this thing with a buddy.  Writing is isolating enough when you’re doing it at your own pace; facing this massive countdown of words by yourself is a fool’s errand.  Find local write-ins, ping an online writer friend, join a community.  Pep talks, bitching sessions, triumphs; all much more effective than primal screaming in the solitary confinement of your car.

Go forth.  Write that shit.

Good luck with your November writing plans, whatever they may be.