Nanowrimo: Nearing the End

Nanowrimo takes 30 days to complete. In the end, participants have written a first draft of their novel. Each participant writes 1667 words a day for a total of 50,000 words in a month. It requires a lot of time to complete as any Nanowrimo participant can attest. Participants sacrifice if success is attained. More than a few people can probably attest to just how much sacrifice.

I participated in Nanowrimo this year and I lost track of how many hours I put into Nanowrimo weeks ago. The one thing I didn’t loose track of, however, is what I’ve given up to be a participant. While Nanowrimo provided a much needed break from some things like the laundry and dishes (they were done, just not as often as normal), I gave up some things that I can’t wait to get back to.

I have given up countless hours of sleep, reading and free time. As Nanowrimo comes to an end, I look forward to sleeping again, reading a good book, and catching up on my weekly magazine subscription. The lack of sleep is catching up to me. My characters, plot and writing goal are in my every waking thought. When my mind can process something other “Family Times” (my WIP), I plan to use my free time to catch up on my back issues of US Weekly. I haven’t read my US Weekly subscription in a little over a month (Nano prep) and I need to read my weekly news, gossip and entertainment. At this point, I’ll accept just being able to read my Twitter feed. I don’t need to read the next great American novel--any reading will be fine.

So I ask you, what have you given up to complete Nanowrimo? And what can’t you wait to get back to?

5 Reasons to Write & Actually Finish Your Novel

Writers get a lot of rejection. From rejection letters to writing partner critiques, a writer's life is plagued with it. Understandably, a writer can find themselves believing that their writing is no good, no one will read the novel when it’s done, or a billion other untruths. Those outer, and sometimes inner, thoughts can drive a writer to stop midstream, not complete the book and give up on writing altogether. The writer's life is so plagued with rejection, in fact, that I have decided to counteract some of it. My solution? Five reasons that, despite the hills you may climb or insecurities you may feel, you should write your novel anyway.

1. Your family and friends will love your novel unconditionally. That’s why they get the prestigious title of family and friends.

2. If you love your novel, it can never be a waste of time; even if it never sells. If you love your characters and story it is well worth the journey of writing the book. If you enjoy writing the novel for one, two or three years of your life then the entertainment you provide yourself alone makes the time well spent.

3. It’s more productive than watching television. The average American spends approximately 153 hours watching television a month—writing a novel is a much better use of your time and brain. *winks* I say that as a reality television addict.

4. Twilight. Every time someone criticizes Stephenie Meyer’s writing, an angel gets its wings----and she sells another copy of her trilogy. You don’t have to be Stephenie Meyer but her story goes to show that if it seems like someone isn’t getting your story then maybe 10 million other people will. Above all, don't quit writing or believe that you can't write.

5. You are entitled to a shitty first draft. So write it already. Good, bad or ugly.

As a writer, it can seem like the competition is too stiff or your writing is not as good as someone else’s, but I just found five reasons that you should push those thoughts into some deep crevice in the back of your mind and finish your novel anyway. There’s no time like Nanowrimo!

P.S. If anyone cares, this is where I found the information on how much television Americans watch.

http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/americans-watching-more-tv-than-ever/