I conducted a mini straw poll among my friends who write fiction. The authors who have yet to complete a first novel were raring to go. The authors who have a publication schedule, not so much.
Count me among the NaNoWriMo avoiders this year. We’ve been horribly busy at work, which has cut down on my writing time. And even if I had the time, I wouldn’t enter.
Here’s why.
When you write fiction, temptations abound
Here’s the thing. When you’re writing a novel, temptations are many.
“Bright shiny object” syndrome abounds. It’s tempting to junk the processes which have helped you to write. Pantsers commit to outlining this time. Outliners, try pantsing, or a different genre. Or they write nonfiction. Or they tell themselves that NaNoWriMo will set them on the right path.
The grass is always greener, etc.
Years ago, I did commit to NaNoWriMo. At that time, I hadn’t yet written a novel, and I thought it would be fun. And so it was. Unfortunately, I got so bored reading the 50,000 words in January that I couldn’t see any way to fixing them and turning them into a novel.
No doubt today, I’d be able to fix the book, or maybe not, since I don’t want to read it again. 🙂
Reasons you should do NaNoWriMo
You’ve always promised yourself you’d write a book, one day. Having hundreds of thousands of authors who are also writing will inspire you…
Or maybe you’ve started several novels but never got past Chapter 3. Writing 50,000 will force you past Chapter 3.
You’re curious.
All your friends have signed up; it’s now a social thing.
On the other hand, you should skip NaNoWriMo if…
You know yourself, and you know that forcing yourself to write at an unnatural pace won’t help you to write the kind of book you want to write.
You’re too busy writing, and you know you’ll write more than 50,000 words in November anyway.
Good luck with your writing whether or not you’re doing NaNoWriMo this year. 🙂
Resources: articles on NaNoWriMo
We’ve covered NaNoWriMo on the blog, so if you’d like to read previous articles, here they are.
In 1816 England, pretty Eleanor Devayne teaches young ladies at Miss Merryford's Academy. Although Ellie's job scandalizes her family, Ellie is happy, because she's supporting her small sister.
Wealthy ton widow Louisa Browne is plagued by men. They're attracted to her looks and her money. They won't leave her alone. Then she meets Lord Alexander Fraser, the Earl of Ashhurst, who is a well known Corinthian. For the first time, she contemplates taking a lover for protection from other men -- but she gets more than she bargained for.
