November brings us fall leaves, first snows, Thanksgiving and NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month. Participants register and commit to writing 50,000 words (a new novel) during the month on November. It is a true challenge undertaken last year by over 500,000 writers! If you want to take on the challenge, register here.
I take exception to NaNoWriMo bec I have a very strong inner rebel. And I love it. I love the idea of committing (kicking that stupid rebel to the curb.)
I mean be honest, doesn’t the idea of just committing feel amazeballs? No more excuses – like I have to make money, or take care of my kids! No more self-doubt. Self-doubt is painful and, dare I say it, b-o–o—r—i—–n——g. If I had to pick between self-doubt and self confidence, I’d pick confidence, every time. Confidence is plain old fun.
And it’s going to feel so great to be part of something big, writing 1,667 words every day, including Thanksgiving. And if by Thanksgiving, I’ve written 46,648 words in my new novel, I’m really going to have something to be grateful for.
In fact my reason for gratitude is going to blow everyone else’s reason out of the water. I can picture us going around the table saying what we’re grateful for. People will say things like “this family,” or “my promotion,” or “that we all survived the fire and are together today.” And I will be able to listen smugly and when it’s my turn, say – “I’m almost done with my NOVEL. (Suck on that!) And please pass the gravy.”
1,667 words a day. That’s only about 7 pages. I can do that. Every day. The story will definitely flow, and be brilliant. No worries.
So why do I hate it? Bec it wakes the rebel in me and I feel like acting out at the very mention of this novel expectation. And bec I know I can’t write a novel in 30 days. Not 50,000 words and not the 100,000 words which is what a novel really is supposed to be.
And yet 500,000 people are going to do it. And approximately 40,000 will complete their 50,000 words and “win.” So, if they can do it, surely I can too. (If I believed that logic, I’d also be able to lose 30 pounds in November – we’ve all seen The Biggest Loser. Someone lost 100 lbs in 7 weeks on that show.)
Well, I’m a creativity coach, and I’m supposed to encourage writers and writing – and I sincerely do. For me, however, NaNoWriMo is like jumping into a volcano bec everyone else is doing it. It is forcing myself into something, rather than allowing myself to flow into it.
And so, here’s my troth. Feel free to join me in this if you care to.
During NaNoWriMo, I will pick up my novel anew. I will write each day, whether one page or seven. I will renew my relationship to the characters, the ideas, the world. I will enjoy writing, daily. It will be my house guest and get my daily attention for the whole month of November. I love this plan.
I plan on taking what is really good about NaNoWriMo (for me) – community, commitment, writing daily – and throwing out that which doesn’t suit me – high expectations, fast writing, “winning.” I hope this will serve my writing and my psyche so when it’s really time to pass the gravy on Turkey Day, I feel truly grateful for where I find myself in relation to my writing, my life and who knows? My weight?
We’ll be talking about NaNoWriMo this week in FB, tell me I’m crazy and that NaNoWriMo really works for you! You won’t hurt my feelings, I know I’m crazy. And for those of you who are well-served by NaNoWriMo, I’m here for you!