Introduction
Welcome.
NaNoWriMo will begin in a few weeks, so I wanted to cover the pros and cons of it.
A Brief History of NaNoWriMo
To the uninitiated, NANoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing month, and the goal of NaNo WriMo is to write at least 50,000 words of a new work by the end of November. Every year millions of writers participate in this event and many new books are produced as a result.
NaNoWriMo began in 1999 in the San Francisco Bay area, when Chris Baty and 21 of his friends got together and decided to attempt writing a book in a month. The next year 140 people joined in, and things grew from there.
This year, I’ll be attempting a modified version of it, in which my goal is to add 35-40,000 words to the Zero Draft of Pandemonium, the sequel to Palingenesis.
But the question remains, while it’s possible to write a book in 30 days, should you? I’ll explore the pros and the cons, then let you decide for yourself.
Pros
First, it gets you writing. When you’re forced to hit a specific word count each day, you have to write. It’s that simple, but often it’s starting that writers struggle with. You sit in front the keyboard, ready to write, but nothing comes. Or you intend to write but get sucked down the rabbit hole of social media. And while this still may happen, having a concrete deadline makes it more likely you’ll get some writing done.
Second, it gives you an opportunity to connect with others and learn about their WIPS and writing process and network with potential readers and editors. One of the greatest things about NaNoWriMo is the community of readers and writers that has sprung up around it.
Some life-long friendships have been forged due to people interacting during this month, and it also introduces you to new ways of thinking about stories and how to streamline your process. Even if you don’t win, the connections you make alone are enough to attempt it at least once in your life.
Third, because your goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days, it stops you from procrastinating and editing as you write. One of the worst things new writers can do is edit as go because it slows you down and makes you second and third guess yourself.
The beauty of NaNoWriMo is you don’t have time to make things perfect before moving on, just get things down and edit it once it’s done. There’s a quote by Tara Moss that perfectly encapsulates this:
Don’t write it right, just write it, and then make it right later.
The key to completing any novel, especially one in 30 days, is not stopping.
Fourth, you’ll have a finished draft you can work with in the coming months. Even if said draft is crap, something is better than nothing. Once you have the bones of the stories down, you can go back and fill in plot holes, add depth to characters, and in general improve the story.
Fifth, it helps you build a writing routine and teaches you how to find time to write. Ask any writer what the biggest roadblock to their writing is, and they’ll tell you it’s finding time to write.
Most writers have day jobs, and those of them with kids have even less time, so doing something like NaNoWriMo requires them to find the little spaces in life where they can write. Waiting to pick up your kids? Write. In line at the bank or grocery store? Write. Waiting in the dentist’s or doctor’s office? Write. You’ll be surprised how much those snippets add up over time.
Sixth, it teaches you to write inspired or not. Many newbie writers, myself included, believe the stars must be aligned before they can write. I’ve since learned you must write regularly, especially on the days you don’t feel like it. Otherwise, your novel will languish for years like mine did until I got my ass in gear and completed several drafts until it was publishable.
Last, even if you don’t win, you get a lot of practice writing and will be better prepared for next year. Most first novels aren’t publishable, and it takes something like five novels before a writer gets good enough to write something publishable, so you’re in good company.
Cons
First, it can lead to burnout from trying to win. As I mentioned above, most writers have other obligations to deal with and the stress of all that on top of drafting a book in 30 days could be too much to bear.
We all like to think we’re superhuman, but we can’t do everything at once, so if you’re already stretched thin, pass on NaNoWriMo.
Second, as I discovered when I attempted NaNoWriMo, it can lead you to writing anything to hit your word quota, which means bloated manuscripts that need tons of editing or rewrites. The truth is anyone can write 50,000 words of crap, but a story is as long as it needs be. So, if it’s reached its conclusion in under 50,000 words, don’t pad it. Also, don’t write random things because you’ll wind up deleting them later.
Third, it gives the false impression that first drafts are publishable and that writing a novel is easy, when it takes even seasoned writers multiple drafts to get it right. No one’s first draft is perfect, that’s why it’s called a first draft. Tis is especially true if this is your first attempt a writing a novel.
Moreover, you’ll have more work to do once edits starts. So, get rid of any idea you have of being a published author by the end of the year. Sure, you could self-edit your manuscript a few times and stick it up on Amazon. But don’t be surprised when you get low sales and bad reviews.
Fourth, writing communities are flooded every year with newbies who will either vanish once the month’s over or who think they don’t need to learn anything. Now, I’m not against everyone trying to write, but I am against people who waste the valuable time and resources of writers’ groups and then have the nerve to get offended when people dare critique their work.
Before going to a writers’ group or participating in writing workshops or webinars, ask yourself if you’re going to learn or have your ego stroked.
Fifth, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Like I said, writing is hard and often lonely. Moreover, most writers make a few thousand dollars or less a year from their work. Do you want to write because it’s what you’re called to do, or do only want to write so you can say you wrote a book and be praised for it? The truth is you could spend that month learning to draw, knit, or spend it with friends and loved ones.
And if you still want to write a book, then go ahead. But don’t set an impossible deadline like a month.
Conclusion
As I alluded to above, rushing a book results in more subpar self-published books flooding the market, adding to the negative views people have of self-published authors and their books. While you don’t need to do as I did and spend twelve years on your book, you shouldn’t go to the other extreme either.
Books are portals to magical realms, and you debase them and yourselves by not taking the care needed to make them the best you can. Ultimately, the decision is yours but think it through. Yes, some great books have emerged from past NANoWriMO’s, but equally awful books have, too. If you’re serious about writing you can start any time, but would you want your first efforts to haunt you for the rest of your career?
Call to Action
Thanks for reading and let me know what you think in the comments below. If you liked this post, please share it with your friends.
Also check out Palingenesis, my debut YA dark fantasy/sci-fi novel about a bullied Black boy who learns he’s evil’s chosen and must fight the devil to protect the boy and world he loves.
