OK, this is about the sixth or seventh time I've attempted NaNoWriMo, and the best I've done is around 15000 words. I /always/ sabotage myself by stating that nobody would ever read it, so what's the point of writing it. I come back the next year, hoping that this year would be the year that the novel would be read.
It's taken this long to realise that nobody will read this novel, but THAT IS THE POINT! This is not about writing a book to get published and be adored by trillions. No, this is about the craft of writing, and the whole crux of the matter is the writing, not the story.
With this realisation, I suddenly feel as though an entire universe has been lifted off of my shoulders, and I am freed of the burden of trying to craft for others. Now I am crafting solely for myself....
Nobody will read this novel and aren't I happy about that?
Neil
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81,295 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 04 38
Neil, it does my heart good to hear you say that. I had the self-same struggle in my heart during the days leading up to NaNo. This is my first attempt, so I'm glad that I got that sorted out and out of the way before I started; I'm so happy that you've reached the same conclusion.
And you know what? I think, in releasing myself from the pressure of writing something good enough for others to read, I've given myself space to . . . write something good enough for others to read. LOL It's turning out really well.
Good for you. I feel happy just reading your post.
\m/ Kat
----------Banner thanks to AmaiRose
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20,062 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 05 07
Writing takes so much time and effort, it should be something you enjoy for you. It's always nice if other people like it but you're going to have to spend more time with your novel than anybody else ever will - so you may as well enjoy it.
Enjoy your novel :)
28,020 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 05 50
I'm doing much better this year because of this too. And the fact that I think my story really doesn't suck. And you know, that I can write absolute rubbish and it's OK, because I can get rid of that stuff too... and even the rubbish is probably not all bad, you know? I'm sure I can salvage something from even the dismal stuff.
This is the first time that I really feel that I can do it, and it's the time I probably have the least amount of spare time to devote to it! Funny how when you're busiest you seem to fit more in :)
Onward and upward!
----------83,099 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2009 - 05 53
I spent years writing stories mostly for myself and keeping them to myself. Partially because I knew they weren't good (I began writing at 13) and partially because they were so personal that I didn't want them read by anybody else but me.
I know that since 2005 the novels I have written for NaNoWriMo are full of long winded thoughts and dialogue between characters and some of my scenes are no way near fleshy enough when it comes to descriptions of items, people or places.
But I have learnt a lot along the way. Before Nano, I didn't believe in Chapters.
----------2005, 2006, 2007 - WON
2008 - FAILED
2009 § The Sidereal Rose
http://thesiderealrose.blogspot.com/