What has NaNoWriMo helped you learn?
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Copyright © 2012 The Office of Letters and Light :: All posted novel excerpts remain copyright to their authors.
There are currently 13609 users online.
Copyright © 2012 The Office of Letters and Light :: All posted novel excerpts remain copyright to their authors.
December 1st has rolled around for all of us, marking the end of NaNoWriMo — bringing both sadness and intense joy to writers around the world.
So, now I ask you, what have you learned throughout your NaNoWriMo journey?
Some of the things I learned are to never give up, to write everyday, and that writing doesn't have to be lonely. :) So what about everyone else? What wisdom have you taken away from 30 days of literary abandon?
I learned that forcing myself to write when I don't think I have any ideas is a good way to come up with ideas. I learned that I like some things about my own writing, like my dialogue and some word choices that just feel perfect. I learned some things I don't like about my own writing, like my tendency toward cliche. I learned other things I need to work on, like pacing, and developing interesting subplots.
Part of what I learned came from reading Reading Like a Writer by Prose, which was recommended in one of the pep talks. I also picked up On Writing by King. If anyone is looking for post-nano reading that will inspire you to keep writing, you should definitely check out both of those books. Brief summary: the only way to learn to write is to write, often and seriously, and that when I'm not writing I should be reading.
I have learned that nothing ever happens exactly as you plan, and that is for the best.
This year I learned that humans can, in fact, function with only 5 hours of sleep each night, and that november is the best month of the year. And that leftover-turkey and stuffing and mashed potato sandwiches are excellent to eat while writing because you only need one hand. Most importantly I learned that my story and my characters had a lot more storyline in them than I had originally suspected, that naming my novel and the towns and countries were the hardest part, and that new characters sometimes spontaneously appear when you least expect and most need them.
I'm sorry to admit that I did not write everyday because of high school, but I still made it and I am prouder of myself and more confidant in my abilities than I have ever been before. Even though I have a month's worth of homework to catch up on.
I started Nano with a couple stories vaguely planned in October. I ended up taking just one character that I loved from one of the stories and running with her to create something entirely new. I learned to stick with what you love. If there's a character you don't like, ditch 'em. If you hate a subplot, ignore it. Don't worry about continuity, that's what editing is for. If your favorite setting is a library or a cafe, and you end up having ten scenes in those places, good! Write what you love!
I"ve learned that even if I don't make my deadline, it's not the end of the world. There are times when Real Life intervenes with Nanowrimo, and sometimes you have to make a choice. Even though you want to write, there are things more important than writing out there, like the health of family, or making time for family a long way away.
We can write any time, we don't have to wait for November to put our thoughts onto paper, or a computer screen. Never forget that.
Anything can be accomplished, even if it seems possible and you fail multiple times before you succeed!
Personally, I ended up contributing into my work, random thoughts I had during the month, and decided I would incorporate them in
My novel seems jumbled and pure insanity
But thats what the month is
Now to edit it, because, that's what December is for!
I learned that I changed over the course of my life, and as I read through my work from soup to nuts, it actually shocked me that i was the one who wrote it. I wrote to realize the goal, but, as I wrote, I was making a journal of how I felt each day, what I had learned, etc. It has allowed me to look back on my life, and realize that I've changed a lot. I also learned that or experiences make us who we are, and dictate how we act. That made me realize on more thing, and that's that when we get over loss, pain, grief, etc. we bounce back, stronger than ever. It might takes days to years, but someday, it'll happen.
You don't have to look like a novelist or fill the 'requirements' of being one to actually be a novelist. Honestly, Anyone can write a book, and you are only great if you are recognized. November is now both my favorite and least favorite month.
I hope I can drag myself to do this again next year.
I've learned how fun it is to write everyday. School got in the way this year, but I will definitely be ready next year! Until then, I'm going to keep writing. :)
The most unexpected thing I learned during NaNo is that I have a lot more time than I thought. All I have to do is use it properly. It doesn't have to be especially productive, but if I want to do a bunch of things, I can. It's just a matter of making the time to do it like I made the time to write. It's just that I might have to do that instead of something else.
I also learned that writing something that turns out terrible on the first draft doesn't mean that that's how all of the drafts will be. I mean, I'd heard and been told that plenty of times, and it's not that I didn't believe it. It's just that this is the first time I've experienced writing a first draft that turned out like crap and still wanting to rewrite afterwards. Not only that, but I found myself getting ideas from the first draft, seeing what worked and what didn't and changing it for the second draft accordingly.
So basically what I learned is that I have time if I'm willing to make it, and that a crappy draft can inspire you to write another one, and rework the original story.
Same here! I was expecting that I would have to be locked away in my room from the time I woke up 'til the time I go to bed if I wanted to get this goal accomplished, and it didn't happen that way at all. And if I felt like my day was going to be particularly hectic, I just scheduled my writing time in.
This is the first time I've finished a story that wasn't a fanfiction of some kind, and so it's a HUGE milestone for me. Deadlines really DO work wonders!
I noticed that, too! I'm awful with deadlines and making time, but NaNo has really helped me start doing that better. I'm still a little disorganized with it, but at least now I've found that the possibility there, I get the feeling I'll get better at managing it as time goes on. I actually didn't write a whole lot during the weeks for most of NaNo until the last five days. But that point was crucial in learning what I did. Despite all of the extra things I was already doing, I got in quite a bit more writing time than I thought possible.
This year I learned what I keep having to re-learn -- that if I just sit down with no short-term plan and start typing, magic happens. You'd think I'd have enough evidence of this from over the years to avoid having to re-learn it repeatedly, but there you have it.
This year taught me not to give up, even if it looks impossible! I've also learnt that the end goal is not as important as the journey to get there. Once I stopped worrying about my numbers and just got on with writing - the word count just flew upwards!!
I learned that I want to be a writer. I also learned that I don't write and read nearly as much as I should lately so that is a matter I will have to rectify.
I learned that I can do more than I think I can - it just takes time and effort.
I also agree with sninkychan about the process of writing being like magic. Some of my best manuscripts manifested that way.
It's fun to read all your replies. I learned that even if you start out uninspired and just really want to play solitaire instead, ( I have played so many solitaire games this last month I wonder if there is a Guinness record?) When you plod along and and stay away from the solitaire 'deal' button, ideas begin to flow. I wanted to give up several times and I was so glad I kept going. My muse really likes it when I keep typing and thinking about the story and charcters. I found out that it is actually possible to write 50,000 words in a month! We are all capable of amazing things when we put our minds to it.
I learned that you really can improve as a writer. I thought my NaNo last year was good until I re-read it. I've started re-reading this year's and am actually really enjoying it! So maybe I have improved.
I learned that I really prefer writing in 3rd person. My first ever novel (which is only half written) plus my first ever completed draft of a novel (last year's NaNo) were both in first person. I decided to try out 3rd for this year and I much preferred it. I didn't think I would.
I learned I have an awesome husband who helps me do this crazy thing every November.
I learned I can finish a novel if I work on it often enough.
And I thought it was just my sanity that had done a runner! By the way, between job hunting and writing til stupid o'clock in the morning - can anyone tell me where the hell November went?! I heard a Christmas jingle on the radio the other day and thought it was really early until I noticed the date!
I learned that writing a novel is not really as easy as I once thought. Yeah, it was hard for me because I don't know how to manage my time, but if I did, then maybe I didn't have to resort to leaving all those homeworks unattended.
But overall it was a fun learning experience. It made me appreciate all those wonderful writers out there, and acknowledged that what I felt while writing is probably what they feel when writing as well.
And I am very proud of myself. I finished my novel before I turned 14, which was my goal since the very beginning. And now that NaNo is finished, I get to read again!
Wow I'm really impressed with you! I'm 16 and this is my first novel. I cant imagine doing this with all of the middle school drama! I learned that I do not know how to write under pressure. My last 1667 words are rushed and gross! But that's what editing is for! I started 3 days late this year and there were a few more days where I typed nothing at all. But I caught up; I learned that nothing is impossible.
Two very important things. One that I could actually do 50,000 words in one month. I've been silently envious of wrimos for years now always thinking how I'd love to try it but not having the guts to follow through. This year I jumped in feet first and not only finished but did so a few days early. I also learned that I still have a writer's voice. I've been in a slump lately and this really helped me break out of it.
I came into NaNoWriMo this year unsure if I even wanted to participate. I was iffy about my story idea and wasn't sure if I could actually make it a worth while idea. Overall I learne that,
- Even if I wasn't totally hyped about November, that writing is definitely work.
- I'll have my days where sitting in front of the computer is the last thing I want to do, and other days where all I want to do is spend time with my characters.
- That I can write far more words for a day than the 1667 and be semi-consistent with it
- It's not easy for me to develop a habit (Unfortunately the longest streak of writing I managed was five days)
- It's possible for me to take writing as a serious interest and not just something I dabble at once in a while.
I guess I've learned a lot in some ways, yet I feel I have so much more to learn. Reading about what it means to be a writer (which was what I was doing before beginning NaNoWriMo this year) isn't the same thing as making sure I'm sitting down and writing the stories that I want to tell.
"I learned that you really can improve as a writer."
Definitely agree with UCF612 on this! Surprised myself at how diverse my language became over the month. The more I wrote, the better it seemed to be. I think I'm now a much better writer than I was on November 1st and I suspect it's the same for everyone who took part - what an amazing achievement in 30 days?!
I also learned that hitting my daily wordcount was harder than I thought it would be. As a copywriter I thought 1700 a day would be no problem. Uh-uh. 1000 words a day was fine, the extra 700 kept slipping until it was down to a final two-day, 10K marathon. That was hard - but worth it!
1.That writing doesn't always have to be a solitary activity
I don't know anybody in RL that does NaNo or writes in their own time, so I always felt a bit lonely when it comes to writing. Ever since NaNo last year, I realized that writing doesn't have to be lonely all the time, and there ARE communities out there (like NaNoWriMo) that bring writers together.
2. A little motivation can go along way
This year, I found the Overachiever's Thread way earlier than last year, and their encouragement and motivation is just plain awesome! It helped me to get through things and write and inspired me to aim higher.
3. Haters are Gonna Hate
No, really. I've always just sort of accepted this fact but it was only this year that I really knew how to ignore people who discourage you.
Dear Princess Celestia...
Haha! No, but really. I've learned that I can always look to my family for help with perseverance, whether it be by their support or their condescending laughter.
I've also learned that, if you're dating (or married), life is easier when your significant other is there to help you keep from falling apart.
Finally, I've learned that even the best of endings won't stop a flow of new ideas from drowning your mind.
What I learned is how easily I can write 10,000 words in one day, because I did just that on the last day, in just 4 1/2 hours. Now I know I can do it. If I wanted, I could even pull a Kateness — if I'm that obsessive, that is. This year another novel interfered with this year's, but at least I got some of it written, badly of course (first drafts, after all, suck by definition), but still.
Well, firstly I learned that writing with others is actually fun and even sometimes helpful!
I also learned that I am by no means a planner. I thought I was. But pantsing is what brought the words and the story this year, unlike every other writing endeavor. I just gotta go with an idea and it'll get done! :D
I learned that when I stop making excuses and write everyday, I can actually get through an entire novel!
I learned... that I can actually achieve a goal.
See. I'm a perfectionist. I expect the world of myself, and I rarely have more than a handful of dirt when all is said and done. I always try to go forward, but setting goals has never been something I've been good at. Every time I try to set a small, short term goal, I pass it the next day and wonder what the point of it was. Or I set a long term goal that gets lost in everything else. I forget it. It never happens. Or it happens and I've long since forgotten I ever wanted it. It's a hollow experience to set goals for me. I've never felt rewarded or fulfilled. I've never felt I could do anything right because of that, so I shrug off the concept of goals and I keep going forward without an idea.
Til this NaNoWriMo. It's the first time I had a long-ish-y month long goal of 50k words. And a very short, very hard, very worthwhile goal of 10k in a day.
My next goal is to finish the rough manuscript. I'm in the final act of the story, far from editing time. That will be my final goal. But one at a time! I can do this, too!