Last November, I participated in National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo. I didn’t write an entire novel in those thirty short days, but I did I add 50,000 words to a novel that was already underway, and that made me a winner.
I loved having that goal and that deadline. Dorothy Parker famously said that “writing is the art of applying ass to seat,” and Nanowrimo certainly motivated me to stay in my chair.
Participating in NaNoWriMo gave me permission to write and write and write and to keep on writing: the essential task necessary to advance the novel I was working on.
- I loved Nanowrimo on the days I could chalk up another 2,000 words.
- I hated Nanowrimo on the days I had no words to add to my tally.
- I loved Nanowrio for helping me buckle down and spill the goods.
- I hated Nanwrimo for promoting quantity over quantity.
- And I loved that by the end of last November, I added 50,000 words to my draft.
So, as the emails from the Office of Letters and Light (the originators of what has become an international November phenomenon) start to skitter across my screen announcing the countdown to November, I’m not sure if I’ll sign up again.
For one, I’m still working on the same novel I was writing a year ago – now in its third draft. I’m making great progress (thanks to drafts one 
and two). In fact, I’ve (re)written 50,000 words in the past six weeks. At this point – since I know my characters better and have a much clearer idea of what kind of trouble they’re in, my rate of composition is accelerating exponentially (as are the number of hours I can spend at my desk).
I’m sure I could sign up for Nanowrimo and “win” again, but I’m not sure I want to. The program offers lots of support – which I barely used. The Office of Light and Letters sent me emails to cheer me on, and they offered me a virtual network to other writers all over the world. But I already get a lot of email, which distracts me from my story, and when I’m finished writing for the day, I want to get off the computer and socialize with people who I can hug. And I don’t want a virtual drink, thank you very much, but a real slug of single malt.
There are good reasons for me to participate in Nanowrimo this year. I’m still aiming to finish this draft before the end of the year, and a little pressure wouldn’t be amiss. But there are also good reasons for me to skip it: I’m already in the groove, and I like to get off the computer after a day of digging in the word mine. So I’m on the fence. Do I sign up or not? What are you going to do?
Deborah Lee Luskin is novelist, essayist and educator. She is a regular commentator for Vermont Public Radio and the author of the award winning novel, Into The Wilderness. She teaches writing workshops and offers editorial consultation. For more information, visit her website at www.deborahleeluskin.com
JUMP NOW
Because of the silence louder bands
peoples sometimes plam they not silent as
long as you like hen egg base on the
minimum rain
My friend is begging me to do Nanwrino with her in November but I am SOOOOO scared. Some days I can barely blog so the thought of writing a NOVEL is completely and utterly intimidating. Part of me wants to just “do it” and the other wants to hide until December 1st. (lol).
Just do it! If you don’t get to 50K no big deal. Next year shoot for a little more. I’ve NEVER finished (won) NaNo since I started in 09. Good luck! 🙂
Nanowrimo is very useful for a first draft, but I am not sure how much I will gain now that I am getting ready to tackle the third draft. I have the feeling that a close-tooth-comb is required now… The other excuse is that I have a busy professional schedule that month, travelling a lot, jetlag, etc. but all of that could be handled if it was a matter of just letting words out. I did love it when I did it, though!
I am participating this year but did have a break last year. I don’t think it is essential to plunge into NaNo every year. It is a great motivator though if you need it.
I’m giving it a go this year. I have a solid idea but I’m not sure how to get from point A to the end. I’m looking forward to it. I’m meeting with the local writing group & ML once a week in October. Hopefully this will help. 🙂
Because of the silence louder bands
peoples sometimes plam they not silent as
long as you like hen egg base on the
minimum rain
I’ll be participating this year. I’m going to do more planning than I ever have. As you said, it does help you stick to the seat. However, I’m not going to write JUST to get the word count. It would just be a bonus.
It sounds like NaNoWriMo allowed you to see how productive you could be if you put your mind to it. But now that you know that, it doesn’t sound like you got anything else out of the experience to make it worth trying again. You’re doing on your own what you would do participating. Or so it seems. I haven’t signed up for it because I’m sure I would fail to meet my expectations and I don’t need to give my inner critic any extra fodder.
I love NaNo and have participated several times. I’m going to pass this year and continue editing my WIP from last year. At this point, I don’t see any reason to have another incomplete WIP. Good luck with your decision.
Lovely article. This will be my first NaNo, and you’ve given me some great insight. For example, it didn’t occur to me that you could continue something you’re already working on. I was feeling guilty about leaving my first draft and starting a new project, but perhaps I will follow you’re example. Draft one could use a few thousand more words.
I am participating in NaNoWriMo without signing up. One, I loathe the additional email and two, I won’t ever use the support forums because of time constraints. I am taking the month of November to write 50,000 words in the novel I’m working on and November seems as good a month as any to aim for a high word count.
I do much better when I hold myself accountable to reach a goal.
Wow! Thanks for all these comments! I think they show the wide range of possible responses to Nanowrimo – and all the different ways each of us can tailor the program to suit our own needs this November. Clearly, how we use it will vary not just from writer to writer, but also year to year. I applaud everyone for considering it – and for figuring out what will work best for you.
Thanks for reading! And good luck in all your writing endeavors – Deborah.
I have a dead novel, buried these long years in the vasty deep of my desk drawer (under a slew of rejections). Perhaps I’ll resurrect it one of these days. In the meantime I can enjoy other people’s various takes on the agony of giving birth to a novel. I’ve heard that NaNoWriMo can be inspiring, but now that it’s over you just take your time Deborah and don’t give up.
I did Nano last year, and managed to get around 35000 words which I was happy with as I’m a shift-worker and I was not able to write at all on quite a few days. I used Nano to get past the middle of my third attempt at a novel. This is the place where I always get stuck because I realise it’s not working, and go back to rewrite, then get stuck again.
So Nano helped me through the middle, and I later pretty much finished a first draft – I know the ending, I know what needs dropping and what needs developing.
I’m not Nano-ing again this year – I’m working on my second draft. There are people in my Nano gang from last year who have five unfinished novels! That’s the danger isn’t it? Keep winning in Nano-Land and fail to achieve your aim.
I’ll be participating again – and I’m also the ML for New Hampshire. I think it encourages me to write more because I’m encouraging other Wrimos, because I’m setting an example, and finding resources for them. Have no idea what I’ll work on of course…!