NaNoWriMo-No!
By Ann Aguirre | November 10, 2010 |
Kath here. Rarely do I preface a contributor post, but we’ve already had some upsets in the comments over Ann’s post. A reminder that as writers, we can leave comments of disagreement that are polite and reasoned, and not the equivalent of “you’re a doody head”. Thanks. Here’s a fluffy kitty for your trouble.
The first three syllables are delightful. National Novel Writing. Just reading that gives me a warm fuzzy. But the last one? It pisses me off.
Writers writing one month a year… for the love of God, why? If they mean to write, then they should do so all year long — on lunch breaks, before and after work, and be dreaming of the stories in between. I’ve seen others complaining about the speed at which people write during NaNo. That doesn’t bother me. As C.J. Cherryh said, “It is perfectly okay to write garbage–as long as you edit brilliantly.”
What bothers me is the idea that this is a hobby that one can pick up and put down. For many of us, this is a job, dream come true, and vocation, all rolled into one. I want people to take it seriously. Commit. Work on it all year long. To me, having one month for writing is as absurd as only caring about the environment one month a year. If it’s worth doing at all, it’s worth giving your whole heart. This business is too hard to have any room for dilettantes. Now, granted, if people are not interested in writing as a career, and they just like larking about for a month with their mates, then I withdraw my objections. Otherwise, I don’t see the value in only working 1/12 of the year, if you mean to pursue it seriously. If you’re doing NaNo in addition to your other work, then again, I commend you.
Ray Bradbury sums up my feelings well: “Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer.”
Persistence pays. Without it, how can one month a year can create a career? I’ll close with this thought from Jane Yolen (with whom I could not agree more), “Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”
If you want to get better, you write. Daily. Weekly. Monthly. Not annually.
I welcome rebuttal and reasoned debate.
Ann Aguirre is a bestselling, multi-published author with a degree in English Literature. She is a prolific writer, with nine releases planned for 2011 alone. She writes romantic science fiction and urban fantasy under her own name. As Ava Gray, she writes high-octane romances. She also writes “hot paranormal apocalyptic action” with fellow author Carrie Lofty under the pseudonymn Ellen Connor. Follow her on Twitter.
I don’t think you want all those nanoers to be hard core, persistent writers…do you? Lance Armstrong doesn’t berate all bike riders for not being as hard core as he is. When you run a 5k, there are the kids, the mom’s with their strollers, the walkers…and then the real runners who finish and lap everybody…twice. But just because they trained hard and took their sport seriously doesn’t mean the diabetic man with a heart condition shouldn’t have the chance to run too. Even if he has no chance of competing in the Olympics.
Just because someone is participating in NaNo, doesn’t mean they don’t take writing seriously. In fact, I think it’s quite the opposite. It takes a lot of dedication and self-discipline to do, plus it’s a fantastic way to tap out the bones of your story, which you can then spend the rest of the year (if it takes that long) perfecting at ones leisure. It also gets writers in touch with other writers, which I think is fantastic.
Back when I had a job that had absolutely nothing to do with writing, I hoped to get my writing dream jump started by attempting NaNoWriMo in the evenings. For me, it was a good reminder that I can’t be rushed, but it’s good for me to be pushed.
I think I read somewhere that it takes 10 days (ish) to develop a new habit. If NaNo starts a wannabe writer on the path to daily writing, great! But if it is part of the Microwave Lunch Mentality– where the writer is sure that their 30 day novel has been churned out and warmed up so it must be “Ready”, then that’s a shame.
For the people who do it annually, for fun? Why not:)
I also wrote a post on this, describing other things that can be done with the daily word count: https://www.excuseeditor.com/2010/11/no-nano-no-problem-5-other-ways-to-put.html
I did my first NaNo month 2 years ago as a way to bang out a first draft in a wholly supportive atmosphere.
Then I spent many more months (9)crafting and editing and basically whipping that first draft into shape.
Then I took a month to contemplate, dream and generally theorize on the next NaNo effort.
This method is paying off for me as I have an agent interested in my first NaNo novel.
Editing is taking longer on the 2nd one but I persevere.
I decided to break from difficult editing to do another first draft on a story that repeated itself nightly in my dreams until I agreed to write it.
For me, NaNo is basically a tool. One that I am glad to have at my disposal.
With the exception of this year, every year since NaNoWriMo started, I’ve been teased for not taking part. NaNoWriMo, for me, is the literary equivalent of trying to get your friends to smoke…because it’s cool.
Between blogging, technical writing, and fiction, I produce about 1,000 – 2,500 words a day most days. Sadly, fiction is usually about 500 – 1,000 words on a good day, but I write everyday. And that means when NaNoWriMo rolls around, I’m working on other things I’m not willing to set aside in order to write a novella.
I think many people really do think writing is easy, and that NaNoWriMo adds to that notion.
I’ve worked in factories, as a landscaper in the Texas heat, and on a farm. I’ve packed semis and worked in warehouses. Writing is still the hardest work I’ve ever done, but it’s also the most satisfying.
You’re right, Ann–many people view writing as a cool hobby you can pick up, do in a month, and crank out a novel. (I feel sorry for agents come December.)
I think NaNoWriMo is great in so many ways, but I’ve seen too many people set things aside to jump into the fun, and I’ve seen some people happy to have people pat them on the back and say, “There, there…it’s okay–I didn’t finish, either,” when they don’t finish.
You shouldn’t kick yourself too hard, but you should feel bad when you miss a deadline, even if it’s one you set for yourself.
I’m sure there are plenty of people who find out they have what it takes to write regularly in the month of November. I think that’s wonderful; if NaNoWriMo gets some people writing regularly (and I’m sure it does), that’s great! I know people who write regularly and up their production in November — that’s also great.
But I agree: in a big way, it furthers the belief in many that writing is just something you can pick up and do on a fun whim.
I started writing Nov. 1 of 2008 and haven’t stopped since. NaNoWriMo at first was a lark but since then I write every day. I have joined a critique group and read everything I can about writing, including this blog. I am developing and exercising my writing muscles, am improving over time–just ask my critique group. I am working in the hope of being published. This year’s NaNo marks the beginning of my fourth novel. The previous two are completed, but not revised. The one I’m putting all my time into right now started as an alternate ending to my first NaNo novel. It’s taking much longer than I hoped, but I have a day job (I teach writing to 6th graders). I consider myself to be a real writer. I also have spent time researching the craft of and writing screenplays.
If a NaNo-er spends only 30 days to write a book and tries to submit it for publication, that person is a fool and deserves all the rejection they have coming to them for the arrogance of not take the craft of writing seriously.
I think for many people it is simply something fun that gives them a reason to indulge in a hobby they can’t justify the time for every day. Like model planes or rockets. Many hobbiests make these things and fly them to briefly live a dream but wouldn’t think of trying to build a real one to actually fly. At least most of them. And the ones that build real ones are the dreamers and the workers-just like serious writers.
Thanks for inviting rebuttal and debate and getting me fired up. Now–back to business!
I don’t know why there are a lot of posts on this topic this year, but I think you already answered your own question. All of the people I’ve met are not interested in writing as a career. We’re doing it for fun.
I’m a programmer. I mean to program, I do so all year long — on lunch breaks, before and after work, and be dreaming of coding in between. It’s great that for you, writing is a job, dream come true, and vocation, all rolled into one, but words coming out of my head and getting on paper are extremely difficult. I can tolerate it one month a year, but I would pull my hair and bang my head against the wall if I do more than that.
NaNoWriMo gives me the opportunity to break out of my shell, expand my horizon, make some friends, and have some fun at the same time.
For those people who want to make a career, I’m sure they do more than just writing for NaNoWriMo.
Frankly, if 160,000 people care about the environment one month a year, I would be so happy. The worst fear is that no one is interested.
NaNo isn’t about writing only once a month. Sure, people who “dabble” in writing may only do so once a month and have a good time doing it. To them, it’s just fun. But the aggressive concept behind NaNo helped me to write my first book. Using the framework again and again on my own, I’ve had a lot of success. You can’t edit a blank page, so they say, and NaNo inspires in me the discipline to fill up that page. I don’t think I write crap, I think I write a first draft… and first drafts were meant to be edited. NaNo might not be for everyone, but it gives me the tools I need to be successful all year long.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by SFWA authors, Phaze Books. Phaze Books said: #writing NaNoWriMo-No!: The first three syllables are delightful. National Novel Writing. Just reading that give… https://bit.ly/bqye7F […]
I completed the first draft of my novel this past April. It took nearly three years to finish. It wasn’t unusual for me to go weeks, even months without writing a word. I’m trying NaNo because I want to write faster; I want to write consistently. If I can finish a workable first draft in November, then I know I can do it in May, August, February. Writing takes time, especially to get it ‘just right’ I just want to make sure I’m getting the most out of all the time I’m putting in.
Plus I’m having a blast. I honestly didn’t expect it to be so much fun. Go figure.
I can imagine that for someone whose career is writing, whose major work each day is writing, that NaNo might be counter-productive. For me though, it’s fun, it’s a motivator and it gives me a good excuse to push myself. I’m a teacher, working in a new school this year, and making time to write has been a real struggle. NaNo has enabled me to jump-start my writing practice.
I guess what I want to say is that I am committed to writing year round, but that NaNo is helping me experiment with some different ways of writing. Some of which I’ll probably toss out after the month is over, some of which I’ll incorporate into my daily writing.
I use NaNoWriMo as motivation to start a project. Last year I started my novel, hit 50k words and kept going until mid-February when my novel was actually complete. From there, I began editing and just recently finished a month ago. Now again, I start a new novel in hopes of doing this whole process again.
I don’t see NaNoWriMo as a mockery of the writing life, I think it’s a celebration of the written word. So what if someone chooses to write only for that month? At least they’re creating something. It’s a challenge that at the end, you can see something tangible and feel it in your hands, read what you’ve created (no matter how horrible it might be). I say praise NaNoWriMo for what it is – a month where we let loose and write something, anything!
Oh puleez! This posting is even worse than the one a few days ago. Really, if you have nothing to say on NaNoWriMo just – don’t. Maybe I have outgrown your blog. I am off your subscription list for good.
I have to agree with Barbara. Why bother saying anything if it’s just to make the NaNoers feel like writing-scum?
We can share our turf, you know. Just because someone wants to churn out a novel in a month, doesn’t mean the rest of us writers are in any way threatened. Let’s be supportive of people who use the fun and camaraderie of NaNo to try something new.
I always write first drafts in a month. Period. So, I’m a big fan of NaNo because I can bang out a first draft with friends there to support me. Sprints, accountability, cute t-shirts — I’m all for it. I still work my butt every other day of the year, but I really look forward to Novemeber.
I don’t think *most* people who embark on the novel-in-a-month expect anything out of it other than the satisfaction of doing it. And that satisfaction is quite a warm, fuzzy feeling. Why do we want to take that away?
Heads up: if commenters are too thinned skinned to have a reasonable discussion about NaNo without getting all huffy or attacking posters, feel free to, you know, go back to your WIPs. Flaming comments will be deleted. But I’m leaving the first few*koffbarbaraandsusankoff* so people will know how it’s NOT done.
Thanks.
I see NaNoWriMo as an exercise is pushing past boundaries. It should be used as a tool and not the end of one’s writing experiences. It is also about community – people working together to meet goals. So, NaNoWriMo can be used as a great way to learn about yourself as a writer and to network with others in the field. This year, I decided to not take part due to other commitments. I am still writing every day, but I don’t feel so stressed this November as I have in previous years.
Exactly! I disagree with the whole thing. Tried it once – garbage! Writers write every day. And why encourage somebody to do it for one month a year – should we all play at being a doctor for one month a year?
NaNo is just fun. Not sure what all the fuss is about on either side. Why waste energy hating it? Why hate those who hate it? It’s just a personal challenge, really. I write all year, this is the first time I’ve tried NaNo and I think it’s great fun!
Ann,
Thanks for a great post. This comes at an interesting time for me.
I’ve been writing for dozens of years and I’ve never participated in NaNo. I always felt that writing and I have an understanding, a relationship. We talk and discuss plans every day. My relationship with writing extends past the keyboard as it comes on walks with me and sleeps with me.
Could I utilize a certain month of the year to celebrate the novel by creating something out of someone else’s timetable, terms dictated to me? No. My writing, the story dictates what’s needed.
I said this comes at an interesting time for me because as I watch other writers on Twitter having so much fun with this, I felt that maybe next year I might do it just to come up with a new story idea. One that I don’t usually write in a way that I wouldn’t normally do it. I’ll have to wait and see if I’m still interested next year.
“Write. A lot of people want to be a writer, it seems to me, and they do everything they can to be a writer, except write.” ~Chang-Rae Lee
I agree that the concept of writing a novel is great. Writing with abandon just to reach a word count… uh, not so great. I need time to think, digest, mull it over, eat turkey… I love words, but not just for the sake of words.
I am participating in my fourth NaNoWriMo this year. It’s an activity I truly enjoy, something I look forward to all year long. Does that mean November is the only time of year that I write? Hell, no! I write the other 335 days of the year, too – in fact, I feel like I write MORE during November, when I’m already working on my novel, than I do otherwise. The creative juices are flowing and abundant and I put that extra energy toward my other projects.
You said “What bothers me is the idea that this is a hobby that one can pick up and put down.” What’s wrong with getting people, who otherwise might not, to express some creativity? NaNoWriMo is an exercise on pushing boundaries, a challenge to be met. Perhaps someone who’s not a seasoned writer will be surprised by the talent they discover while working on NaNoWriMo and will want to start focusing on writing the other 11/12 out of the year. What’s wrong with that?
Okay, I just need to say that this cracked me up (out loud, for real):
“”you’re a doody head”. Thanks. Here’s a fluffy kitty for your trouble.”
HEE!
Anyway, I think Bree’s comment is exactly why people love NaNo: For some, yes, this is the only time they write. But so what? Haha, I don’t mind not having more competition. ;P For others, NaNo is a way to improve, a way to feel community, a way to experiment and deepen their commitment. That’s great too. And for a vast majority of professional writers, I’m sure NaNo is a waste of time (or rather, the same way they spend most of their time). But there *is* a small minority of professional writers who love NaNo too, who use it in the same ways as the second group I mentioned. And that’s fantastic.
To me, NaNo is a tool, and saying NaNo is bad or useless or offensive is a bit like hating a hammer. What’s the point? Some people need it, some people don’t. But if it’s not for you, then you don’t have to use it. Simple as that.
(Well, almost that simple. Personally, I don’t need/like the hammer, and I’m happy for all those people who want to use it, BUT November always stresses me out and sort of sets me back, because I start to obsess over word counts, which is completely detrimental to my style/mentality of writing. I spent many years overcoming that mentality, so that I could focus on the JOY of writing — which is what allows me to pound out 1k words in a sitting without blinking — and it frustrates me to have to battle that again every November.)
(But that’s no one’s fault, and I’m sure I’ll get better at it every year.)
Yesssssssss, once again Ann, you hit the nail on the head. It’s a huge frustration to heard about NaNoWriMo all over the internet when you work your ass off all year long on your novel.
I didn’t know about NaNoWriMo until this year. As I am waist deep in my third draft (10 full months of work) I was like: “So what? You think you’re going to get ahead of me and all those hard working writers in a month?” NOT.
To hell with NaNo
NaNo seems to be a popular blog topic (it was mine today as well, where I give my non-NaNo reasons). If it jump starts writing discipline for some, then it’s good. For Them. I find my own writing motivation. If I’m not writing, then I have no excuses not to cook, clean, or do the laundry. :-)
There are reasons people join in, and as many reasons people don’t. I’m one of the ‘dont’s’
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I can relate to what Ann is saying. For me, I sometimes get so frustrated with folks around me thinking that writing is “easy.” That it is something anyone can do “someday.” I hate when people equate my dreams and hard work to their own unbaked notion of what it is, and what it is like. But those feelings are all about ME. MY issues.
As for NaNoWriMo? I have no problem with it. I think it’s great that people write, period. And if there is a fun, annual community that folks enjoy being part of? Great. I just don’t necessarily want to hear from newbies that they’ve got this whole writing game all figured out now. But then again, I am a bitter shrew. ;-)
You appear to be under the impression that engaging in the exercise of writing is not worthwhile if one does not commit to it to the exclusion of everything else.
I not only disagree, but I find this attitude regrettable.
I support the concept of NaNo, because I believe that time set aside to develop and sharpen skills with the support of a community and the excitement of engaging in a new creative endeavor is of value in itself. An entire month dedicated to the promoting the idea and work of writing?
Why would anyone want to tear that down?
Edited for making it personal, Kathleen
You bring up a lot of valid points. The nuances that go with the month do give writing a hobby feel, when for authors like yourself it’s a full on profession. I honestly see the month as more of a good celebratory practice that gives those people who are working year-round on their writing added motivation to get words chopped off their MS or to work on a project they’ve been procrastinating. My world revolves around my work, practically. Having a friendly spirit of ‘competition’ to go along with it, though, helps me stick to a better routine. It’s all good fun and drives my productivity through the roof.
So, for those people who claim to be working writers and only write annually for November, I agree with you whole-heartedly. Shame on them and they need to get their butts in gear. For others though, it serves as a minor productivity boost with added community benefits.
Do you have runner friends who run every day, winter, spring, summer, fall, and then once a year they run a marathon? Nano is like that for many. They write every day, and then that one month is festive with people cheering and cool t-shirts and the thrill of competition.
It isn’t for everyone. Just like everyone doesn’t run marathons.
I’m the author of 8 published books. Nano is fun for me. If you don’t like it, don’t do it, and write about something else that’s of value to you.
Publishing’s a small community. No need to dump on your fellow writers.
I’ve been writing steadily- every day- for more than a year now. For NaNo, I’m putting aside my current project to start and finish a draft of my second novel.
I like Kristan’s analogy of a hammer. Perhaps it won’t work for everyone, perhaps a lot of people are doing it for fun, but for a lot of newer writers like me, this is a chance to get another story under my belt and learn more about what works for my (and I have already learned so much).
Like Benoit, I’ve been slaving over a novel for most of the year. Being able to take a break and have fun with a second project has breathed life into my writing. For me, this is what NaNo is about, adding more stories to my writerly pipeline and tackling projects I might not otherwise have challenged myself with.
My own feeling is kind of this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX0rqvF1uyk&ob=av2e
Except applied to writers instead of race and religion. There’s room for all kinds here! Yes, someone who starts querying agents on Dec. 1 with a letter that begins, “I just yesterday finished my NaNoWriMo novel” is likely in for some hard knocks. But then who isn’t naive about the publishing process when we first set out on the path? *raises hand* I sure was. I’m still learning the ropes, even with 2 books published.
My personal brain would explode if I tried the NaNo way of writing full-speed ahead and not editing as I go, but that’s me, and I know it does work for many. And anything that gets people excited about books and writing and creating a positive energy around that can only be a good thing, in my opinion.
NaNo has been around a long time–I tried it the first time in 2004–but I haven’t heard criticism of it until this year.
Maybe it’s because NaNo has become more popular, making it more of a target. Or maybe it coincides with the rise in self-publishing, and writers publishing their work online in bigger numbers.
There are a lot of people who think that writing a book is “easy”. I write romance, which is a genre that everyone thinks is the easiest of all–until they try it. LOL
So the people who go into NaNo thinking it’s easy to write a book will find out it isn’t, or they’ll find out they love writing and will continue the rest of the year.
We’re told all the time how writing is a subjective business. That also means there are lots of ways to get writing accomplished–some of us are pantsers and others are plotters. Doing it one way does not diminish the other methods. I look at NaNo in the same way.
I agree that most of what comes out of NaNoWriMo isn’t any good, but like any tool, it’s usefulness depends on the author. If you think you have an agent-ready novel after NaNo then it can be dangerous. If you’re using the month to force yourself to be accountable or to be part of something with other authors, it can be useful.
A friend asked me to do NaNoWriMo with her this year and since I’m just starting a novel and struggling with that pesky inner-editor, it was perfect timing to force myself to write through (I prefer editing so I’ll have more fun next month). My friend doesn’t take writing as seriously as I do, but if it gets her to a point in her novel where she dedicates herself to writing then it’s a useful tool for her. I have a friend in my writing group who has struggled to find time to write and NaNoWriMo has forced her write like crazy and finally break into the point in her novel where she can’t stop. I have another friend who is a published author on deadline using NaNoWriMo to get out her draft.
The whole concept that you can pick up a hobby and be the next best-selling author in a month doesn’t do justice to the industry, but I still think NaNoWriMo can be useful. Of course, any serious author should be able to set their own goals and follow through on self motivation. Every novel I’ve written I’d set deadlines and word count goals and stuck to them, but this time it’s been kind of fun to do it with friends.
I wrote my first book slow and my second ON MY OWN fast (6 weeks) and learned that fast works better for a first draft for me ANYWAY because of the way I edit. That said, now I have a contract with deadlines and an editing stack a mile high, so I LOVE this chance to dive into a brand new project relatively guilt free and enjoy the comaraderie of doing it with friends. Come December, I will get back to my editing, but the rush of writing will have made me fresh.
I would never criticize anyone who opts OUT (I know not everyone can or should write this way), and in fact have friends who are using the month for a NaNoREVMo because that is where they are in process, and they are totally in with the encouragement, but I guess I always encourage all people to write if their heart moves them. They may or may not have noveling aspirations–not my concern. I just like to see people give it a go in whatever way works for them. 26K–over and out.
I think there’s an inherent danger — in a discipline that celebrates creativity, play, and connection — if we forget all the reasons we probably began to write, and create a class structure among ourselves. The world sets us up to compete, with Amazon rankings, PW announcements, etc. Let’s not buy into that mindset.
Do we want people to be creative, connect, playful through words? I know my answer to that question.
What a great discussion. I don’t mind disagreement, debate or conflicting opinions. If everyone held the same points of view, we’d live in a boringly homogeneous society.
Ez asked if I really wanted all of those people writing year round? Sure. Competition doesn’t bother me, and if those people are all following their dreams, more power to them.
Many of y’all seem to think I’m “tearing down” a positive, supportive environment for writers. To which I reply, well, no. Here’s the better question. This environment is awesome and energizes you to meet your goals, yes? So why -don’t- you want it year round?
So many people assume that NaNo is comprised of people who have never written before and think in a month they can become bestselling authors. From what I’ve seen, most Nano people use it as a tool, to get started, to learn discipline, to enjoy the company of other struggling writers. Dissing Nano always sounds remarkably defensive to me, as though all those eager people are somehow a threat to ‘real’ writers. NaNos have fun for one month. So what? Those who don’t have what it takes won’t sell anything they write, so why the fuss? As for wasting an agent’s time, seems to me a good agent should be able spot an amateur MSS within a page or two, NaNo or not. My real resentment is against the ones who think everything they write is publishable, or worse — actually go ahead and publish it themselves, and then consider that it’s put them in a class with John Steinbeck. These folks obviously don’t need NaNo to do this, so why blame the month of November?
Some people have trouble writing that novel because they homeschool their five children or are caring for an ailing parent or just suffer from writer’s block (in other words, fear and doubt). NaNoWriMo is kind of like a huge writing group. Thousands of others are doing the same crazy thing as you are, and that helps you finish that novel!
For some, writing may be a hobby. It’s play, it’s creative. It’s a wonderful thing to have an entire month dedicated to this amazing art.
I totally agree with you here, Ann!
I’ve been protesting the existence of NaNo since it began, when the people who started it had very offensive language in their promotional material.
They said things like “become a real author in just a month” and “anyone can be a professional writer, it’s easy!” As a professional writer (journalist) for over 25 years, that just pissed me off!
No one says that you can become a surgeon or a professional plumber in a month, because people assume a certain skill level for those professions. Yet I am told that, though I have a master’s degree in writing and years of experience, some hobby writer with no talent, skill or experience in the craft of writing can just sit down and bang out crap on the computer like a trained chimp, and they’re suddenly on a par with me? Really? I think NOT. I think the craft writing requires years of learning, skill at wordsmithing and TALENT, which is something that can’t be brushed aside when considering writing as a profession or an art. I have worked at it for nearly my whole life, and I deeply resent people making it seem like a lark or something that “anyone” can accomplish. That’s just wrong, folks. Authors like Ann and Linnea Sinclair and Sharon Lee/Steve Miller work their fannies off writing and editing and creating whole worlds and characters for us to believe in and enjoy. They don’t need to see their vocation taken with such disrespect.
I’ve heard of NaNo before but this is my first year doing it. I started writing a year ago and am slowly building the foundations of what and how I write. I’m still trying to decide if writing is something I want to pursue full time. I do write throughout the year but not consistently. And as a new writer I know there is a lot I still need to learn.
For me NaNo is fun. Its a way to give myself a deadline, to push myself. I want to see if I can actually write something longer than 15k words start to finish with a full story arc. It stretches my thought process and ignites my imagination.
Well, that’s actually a different post, Esther. My post relates to what it takes to be a career writer, and NaNo, alone, does not meet those requirements. Professional writers need to write year round. Those who write for fun? One month a year is sufficient.
A dilettante is, by definition, one who plays — and I object to people who play at publication, wasting agents’ time. One can’t do what is needful for a career year long in November alone.
I have no objection at all regarding people who write for fun.
I don’t get all the NaNo hate. I also don’t understand, as many other posters have said, why people can’t enjoy writing as a hobby, just as they do sports or music or any other profession. Getting traditionally published is a pie in the sky sort of proposition, just like getting on a professional sports team or becoming a popular musician.
I’ve always seen it as a way for those who wonder if they can do this writing thing to prove it to themselves. I use it because I have bad habits, and the 4 weeks of NaNo help me get towards that 6 week point where a habit is formed.
Others mileage may vary. I understand why so many are panning it though. The comments threads are long, and people always latch on to trends.
I must respectfully disagree. I cannot support the idea that one month a year is sufficient for a career. People who write one month a year, submit in December, and then drop the idea of publication entirely until the following November — this is what I’ve said doesn’t work, long term.
People who write a draft in November and keep working on all year? That’s awesome. That’s on the right track.
People who write for fun during NaNo, knowing they won’t do anything with it? Also cool by me.
People who use NaNo to jumpstart and keep rolling all year? Way to go! People who test the waters in NaNo to see if this is something they want to commit to? Also commendable.
No hate is conveyed in my post. I do dislike the notion that there are shortcuts to publication — and that is what the word “dilettante” refers to. Those who write a book in November, perform no edits or revisions, and send out the queries in December, because it’s done and it’s magical, and it’s just so easy.
Also, I think it’s unfair to blame Writer Unboxed for my opinions. I don’t know what the other contributors think about the necessity of a professional writer writing all year. This is my opinion alone and I stand by it. And I’ve always welcomed reasonable, logical discussion.
I don’t enjoy the people who don’t believe in editing either, but I am with those who say that has been going on forever. NaNo didn’t start it, maybe exacerbates it, but didn’t start it.
Your title implies the hate by saying No, my interpretation of it was “no serious writer should do NaNoWriMo”.
I think this is where you offended people.
Please don’t assume to speak for Writer Unboxed. Thanks, Kathleen
So you’re saying people read my title and decided what my post was about? Interesting.
Once again, personal attacks will not be tolerated. WU isn’t a democracy, folks. We reserve the right to delete comments as we see fit.
And honestly, Ann’s opinion is just that, an opinion. Others are welcomed to debate her opinion as long as it is reasoned and polite. No need for people to get up in arms about it. NaNo will survive.
This discussion reminds of something that I’ve thought about quite a bit–the strange conjunction in publishing between the amateur and the professional. Here you have writers who want to be published and aren’t–and by definition are doing this as some kind of hobby/part-time/nonprofessional way because we’re not getting paid for it, and the other side which are the agents/editors/publishing houses whose goal is to make money now. This is very much how being a writer is NOT like being a doctor.
NaNoWriMo is definitely in the amateur category. I do write every day, I love NaNo (as I’ve said before) because it jump starts me on a book, but there is no way I can write 1667 words a day 12 months of the year. I AM homeschooling 5 children.
As a 3-time participant in NaNo, I have been really surprised by the negative blogs out there. Although less far momentous, it reminds me of those arguments about who homeschools and who doesn’t, who breastfeeds and who doesn’t, who is a full-time mom and who isn’t, heck–who likes ereaders and who doesn’t. As if my choice is somehow a criticism of yours. Especially in the case of NaNoWriMo, I feel like saying, “It’s all good, folks!”
Ann, you said (in comments): “Many of y’all seem to think I’m “tearing down” a positive, supportive environment for writers. To which I reply, well, no. Here’s the better question. This environment is awesome and energizes you to meet your goals, yes? So why -don’t- you want it year round?”
You assume that NaNos are only writing in November despite the fact that many people have commented to the contrary. You assume that the drafts that are written are going to be shoved away and never touched again. You assume NaNos pick up their pens on November 1 and put them down on November 30 and call it quits until next year. Why? And, why do you care?
NaNoWriMo is a tool, a process, a community. It can kick-start someone’s motivation, or act as the deadline that makes a writer stick to their daily writing. I’m sure some of what is drafted is crap but some is likely gorgeous prose. Some of what is written will never see the light of day, and some will go on to be best sellers after editing and rewriting. (There is a list on the NaNo site of works that started through NaNo that have been published – some are best sellers.)
Everyone starts somewhere. I imagine even you started by writing one day at a time. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a NaNo out there who will pick up their pen on November 1 then just keep writing…
I believe my problem is that most of the argument you’re putting forth is completely anecdotal. Who are these people who earnestly believe that their NaNo draft will and should get them published? Show them to me. Show me their blogs where they believe that on December 1, they will be the next Water for Elephants. Show me all of them, every one who is keeping me from being a better writer, or from getting published. Show me why I, me, WU reader, should be concerned about them. I’m sure these people exist, but I don’t know why we’re talking about them. It’s a straw man argument. Yes, I’m sure agents get a lot of bad writing samples in December. It’s their job — or the job of an intern, which I have been — to head those off at the pass. (Hey, might the glut of NaNo rejections actually be good for the economy, if editors and agents need to get extra help to handle them?) As a matter of fact, show me the agents who prey on NaNo winners and their enthusiasm and hopes — now there’s a post.
If you’re reading this blog, you’ve already been impressed with the fact that writing, really, truly writing, is hard, continuous work. The very existence of this blog testifies to the fact that people are endlessly devoted to their craft. You probably already believe that writing is hard and worthy of respect. So what does a post in this collective want to enforce — that we want to foster and extend the amazing energy a project like NaNo creates, or that we’re pissed off that people who write once a year call themselves writers? If it’s the latter, again, why do we care? Who does it harm? If it’s the former, how can we do this better in the future? I would love to read about how we form support systems. I am not so thrilled to read about who is and isn’t a writer. The writers, I think, know who they are.
Clearly this post has hit a nerve, and I am trying to respond to you in good faith. I just don’t understand who you’re talking to, or why.
All the people I know that do NaNoWriMo and are serious about writing, don’t just write in November. Myself included.
I write all year long (mostly short-stories) and yet I still do NaNoWriMo because I love it and I love the people who do it in my region.
I understand that most of NaNoWriMo’s participants forget writing after November, but it is certainly not everybody.
A lot of people do NaNoWriMo because it teaches them a certain discipline, and quite a few of those people try to retain the routine over the rest of the year.
That’s my experirence on the matter and I know wqite a few pepople who do the same as I.
I don’t think it’s appropriate to single people out and link to their blogs as being a bad example or misguided in their beliefs. So this discussion will remain anecdotal.
Thanks for the lively discussion, folks! I’m off the ‘net for the day, but I’ll check back tomorrow.
So, what are you advocating? Abolishing NaNoWriMo? Boycotting it? Or does it just feel better to get that off your chest?
Who cares why people NaNo, or if they ever write another word again? It has absolutely no effect whatsoever on myself as a writer. Meanwhile, people are getting something out of it: community, inspiration, encouragement, and for a dedicated, talented few, an actual workable novel.
Sorry, I just don’t understand the controversy over Nano.
I’m doing Nano for the first time this year after realizing I have a problem – I spend all my time brainstorming, worldbuilding, and doing character sketches or flashfiction, but I keep procrastinating actually writing a full-on novel. So far this has been an excellent experience for me and it’s teaching me to make writing a part of my daily routine instead of just something I dabble at during the week and attempt on weekends. Whether or not my novel will be good (and I have high hopes for – turns out all that worldbuilding was a good thing!) at least I will have done it.
That said, I’m staying off the Nano forums for the most part, because they seem to be filled with the “dilettantes” you described, and they don’t seem to be taking it as seriously as I am.
I’m a professionally published novelist and agree with Ann.
I’m not saying plenty of people don’t have a positive experience with NaNoWriMo, because they are obviously here saying they do.
But conceptually, NaNoWriMo is fatally flawed in my opinion. It’s a once a year date to run a marathon in two hours, as fast as the fastest runners can do it. It should be something more like at least three months with a target of 100,000 words — a publishable length for most adult markets. Actually though, I’m not even sure I like having an official target wordcount. Every story has a natural length. Better not to force it too much (unless you’re under contract).
If you’re having fun, keep having fun. You’ll learn things and get better, too, probably.
Realize however that binge writing also backfires sometimes, and few full-time professionals try writing novels this fast, and essentially none did it when they first started.
Every writer has to figure out what method works for them, and better to change the method to suit the writer than change the writer to suit the method. NaNoWriMo is a method that looks crazy to a lot of us.
I’m not doing NaNo–I find it doesn’t work for me–but I think your judgments are a little unfair. My experience seems to be that most NaNo participants are hobby writers, and just find it a fun pastime. Others use it to light the fire, so to speak; they may have always wanted to write a novel but were never able to make themselves sit down and do it, and NaNo is a good way to force them to just get it done. Sure, a lot of them may get delusions of grandeur and think their 50,000 words are worthy of publication and send off queries on December 1–but I believe that most of these people have their delusions quickly shattered. If it was just a hobby, they go back to their regularly scheduled lives. But if they’re actually serious about writing, misguided about what it takes as they might be, they continue writing the rest of the year.
But you’ve addressed that in your 2:38 comment, so cool.
So you’re saying people read my title and decided what my post was about? Interesting.
I find this interesting, too, but perhaps for a different reason. I agree with the commenter above you. Reading “NaNoWriMo-No!” does send the message that your post is about why people shouldn’t do NaNo. Of course, it’s on us as readers to make sure that’s what you’re saying, but yes, people will read the title and then decide what the post is likely to be about.
And I agree that Writer Unboxed isn’t responsible for your opinions, but by letting you publish here without some sort of disclaimer, they do seem to endorse them a little bit. We know you’re individuals, but you’re writing as a group. And I’m dismayed by some of the comments being treated as flames. They’re mild disagreements compared to what goes on through most of the Internet, yet those posters were criticized for being thin-skinned. “This isn’t a democracy” doesn’t seem all that much more mature than “you’re a doody-head” when the point of the blog is to encourage discussion.
Ehh, whatever. I love NaNo because it seems to teach all the people trying it for the first time just how hard writing a novel really is.
Wow, this is the year of the NaNo imbroglio. I’m too drained from torturing my characters in my horror novel to untangle the arguments and hurt feelings.
Can’t we all get along? We all love novels, and we all want to write them. I’m sure there’s some common ground there.
PS if we need to take sides, then I’m with the fuzzy kitten. You go, fuzzy kitten!
I’m really surprised at the aggression displayed towards an event that simply promotes the act of story writing! This would be like the Majors mocking Little League. You’ve got to start somewhere and why not do it with a community of amateur writers and lovers of reading? I’ve taken part several times (including this year) and always look forward to that November kick in the butt. Do I want to be a professional? Of course I do. Will NaNo help me get there? Not directly, but it doesn’t hurt to promote the act of daily writing. It makes me really wonder what the deep-seeded fear of NaNo is. Is it flooding the market with mediocre work that overshadows good writing by its sheer volume? Ummm…doubtful. Bad writing will still wallow in obscurity no matter how many people are doing it.
I was very pleased to see this post because it mirrored some of what I was thinking which was why anyone strain to write a whole novel in only a month.
Having seen the passionate response, I guess it works for some people and that should be respected, but at it’s core it seems silly, but that’s just me. Different people need different things to motivate them. I just happen to prefer the slower, more methodical way…others? Not so much :-) This is a clear case of “to each his own”.
Why assume people who do NaNo don’t write the rest of the year?
It seems this year is the year to poop on NaNo. Everyone is entitled to their opinion I guess.
I’m a long term, regular contributor to Writer Unboxed. I blog once a month. This comment is in response to some of the more negative arguments expressed above.
Those of us who are not moderators don’t get to see other contributors’ posts before they go up. Sometimes I agree with ideas expressed by my fellow contributors and sometimes I don’t. Variety is one of the strengths of Writer Unboxed.
I’m not here to argue the toss about the value of NaNoWriMo one way or the other – most of the comments above do that calmly, ably and logically. But there’s a disturbingly negative quality to some of the comments. This is the first time I’ve encountered this on WU.
Folks, if I felt WU was starting to reflect a philosophy that was offensive in some way (eg racist, sexist, or giving really bad writing advice) I would quit the team. Ann’s post is an opinion piece. Breadth of opinion within the team is a positive. I don’t expect to agree with everything the other members of the team say, and being a WU regular most certainly doesn’t mean tacit support of every position taken – that would be plain impossible.
Finally, as blog owners, Therese and Kathleen have every right to edit or delete comments they deem offensive or inappropriate. That’s what I would expect the moderators of any blog to do.
What I love about this post is Ann’s passion and commitment to writing as a life and career choice.
What I think is odd about this is how many people have talked about the ‘hate’ expressed towards Nano. There’s no hate here, people. I’m wondering why the note getting hit is such a sensitive one with you all….?
I’m guessing that a lot of you are actually sustaining a huge amount of guilt about how much time you give to your writing throughout the year, and so you’ve prickled up in defence of Nano, and also your writing habits. Maybe you have a real gift, but it isn’t going anywhere because you’re not working hard enough at learning your craft day in day out… and so, the guilt.
I love reading about Ann’s ambition and her dedication to writing and I find it inspiring. That’s what you should be getting out of this post… a little inspiration about writing longer, harder and better. It’s not really as much about Nano, as it is about dedication.
Got to agree with EZ’s comment at the very top. If it’s getting people writing for a month of the year when they might not otherwise – why is that a bad thing? It’s a tad elitist to say that if you don’t write full time than you shouldn’t be writing.
Ann, I go back and forth on commenting and have deleted two previous replies.
I think what bothers me about your post is two-fold.
1) It starts off fairly negatively with you being pissed off that people are writing for a month. That and the title set the tone for the rest of the piece. “NaNoWriMo – No!” makes it really hard to read as anything but dismissive despite the fact that you make some good points about other topics.
2) The body of the piece, that if one wants a career then one needs to put in more than one month a year, is something that I generally agree with. Where I think you are getting pushback from your commenters is a difference in understanding about the purpose of NaNoWriMo to most participants. It’s not about having a publishable novel at the end of the month, it’s about getting over the fear of writing. That’s a huge hurdle for a lot of new writers. It also teaches one to write to deadline, which is a really important skill for a writer.
I also don’t understand how people who write for fun, dilettantes, have any impact on you.
Finally, the notion that one must write [x] amount or one isn’t a writer seems to me to apply a very narrow definition to the concept of writer. If someone only has time and energy to write for one month a year, so what? Harper Lee wrote exactly one novel. Daniel Keyes just came out with his first novel in sixteen years. The frequency with which they wrote has no impact on their status as writers.
I do agree that persistence is important, but it doesn’t make sense to me to be angry that some people only have the urge to write once a year.
Phew!
All of the above is why I did not attempt the big November challenge.
I had good intentions, started to organized for it, planned to use Scrivener or similar format but I was blown away by all of the hoopla–for and against.
Then, I decided to make a retreat.
My novel idea will continue in brief chapters, all on its own, until I brave sharing it with my writing group.
Words– I relish the freedom to write them and share them, all year round.
On Remembrance Day, l am in a reflective state of mind, so I am just thankful for the word freedom we have.
As for that November challenge, let it unfold whatever way it works for you or me.
If necessary, avoid the social media hoopla for a few more days.
Peace to all on November 11!
Patricia
https://pmpoetwriter.blogspot.com/
Whoa. What did I miss??
What I like about this post and all the comments that follow it is the passion! Passion for or against (fill in the blank) is the goal because it means you care and you’ve thought about it. Now, go apply that passion toward your work in progress, but please don’t tear one another down.
I mean, everyone is entitled to their opinion, sure. I have no problem with people who decide to write 50,000 words in a month. Do what you want.
But dismissing those who simply state that they dislike this method as “haters” or “raining on everyone’s else’s parade” isn’t much better than declaring that all those who participate in NaNoWriMo are amateurs. I can understand why some people can be sensitive about this subject, but come on, not everyone will like what you like. If someone dislikes something you’re passionate about, no need to get angry about it.
I dislike NaNoWriMo. I tried it, this year was my second, and while I enjoy piddling away on my laptop every other month of the year, I find myself hating it when November comes around. Why? I suppose I’m not competitive. I suppose I don’t like filling up my story with fluff to get to the word count as it is the ultimate goal. I suppose I dislike the nonstop talk about it on Twitter, and blogs, and other social forums. I dislike the people to an extent, to be honest.
When I talk to real writers and show them my work, they tell me how I need to improve and how my writing sucks – we don’t discuss trivial, unimportant things like how many words we have on paper or how far ahead of schedule we are. They’re brutal, they rip my work apart, they give me the terrible reality of the world of writing – they don’t pat me on the back and give me empty congratulations and good-for-yous like NaNoWriMo participants do for each other. Usually, NaNo isn’t meaningful writing, it’s Writing Lite®, a feel-good placebo for the procrastinator who knows that deep down, they’ll never be the writer they daydream of becoming. But my main beef is this – be careful what you label yourself.
I dislike being surrounded by people who call themselves writers when they only take the initiative to REALLY write one month a year. I dislike being surrounded by people who, after meeting this word count just ONCE, declare themselves novelists.
Now don’t froth at the mouth and attack me just yet. I’m not a writer, no, not by far. I write at least twice a week, and that’s not enough. I’m not a novelist either, nothing of mine has ever been published. Only when I have reached that bitter self-loathing state where I write consistently every day will I find myself deserving of the title of ‘writer’. Only when I open that first letter and find, to my amazement, that I am not being rejected, will I feel comfortable declaring myself a ‘novelist’.
Ann already said it in her original post. “Now, granted, if people are not interested in writing as a career, and they just like larking about for a month with their mates, then I withdraw my objections.” I agree with her here. A hobby is one thing. But be realistic – there are a lot of people who want to be writers, want to be great, and then only put forth the effort during this popular month-long internet event.
It shouldn’t have to be a popular thing with lots of other people participating in order for anyone to take the initiative. That initiative should already be there.
I don’t get it. If someone manages to write good novels with a one-month concentrated effort every year, so be it. I am sure that there are talented people who can actually pull it off. More power to them, I’d say!