So, what did I learn from NaNoWriMo?
I
learned how to write a lot in a short space of time and under constant pressure.
The problem with authors is that there’s always time to fiddle about, tweaking
a paragraph, rewriting a section, and changing words here and there. Often a
whole day passes, with no real word count achieved. The pressure of NaNoWriMo
soon clears that up!
My own style is linear, with deviations
into the subplots. I often have whole scenes or else the ending written in my
head, and I occasionally write a scene that is much later in my work. However,
I usually progress at a steady pace, tying up the plot links as I go along. NaNoWriMo
forces you to see the whole story in a big global picture. Well, if you want to
keep track of where you’re going, that’s what I mean. I like to develop
chapters by going back after a day or two, and fleshing them out. Not a chance
here. With a word count pressing,one has to leave the cosmetic stuff until
much later.
One might think that just over 1600 words
a day is not difficult to achieve. No, it’s not, but how about the days when
you just cannot write because pesky old life and responsibilities get in the
way? I found a sense of drive developing in me, like an obsession. I had to get
over the daily word count; I just had to!
Then there is the ‘don’t edit’ rule.
Impossible. I must edit as I go along. I would sneak back, under cover of darkness
and edit what I had done that day. I could not bear the red and green lines,
bleeping signals that my grammar and spelling looked horrendous in the flurry
of flying fingers. Actually, my spelling is perfect; it’s my typing that isn’t.
I am a
disciplined writer. Being a writer is like having permanent homework; you feel
guilty if you are not pounding away at the keyboard. However, this was a
different kind of discipline, or even pressure. There was a definite end date
in sight. Many writers let the work dictate the finish time. Not so with NaNoWriMo.
I am
reminded of lines from Andrew Marvell (metaphysical poet
1621-1678) in a poem entitled To His Coy Mistress:
“ ...But at my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near…”
Time's winged chariot hurrying near…”
Kristen Lamb talks about discipline in her blog post entitled NaNoNowWHAT? Small Steps for BIG Change. She discusses
how you don’t always get what you wish for: you get what you work for.
Becoming
an Olympic champion requires more than just athletic prowess; it also depends
on the ability to focus, mental toughness, drive, optimism and emotional
control.
We could just as
easily reword this statement:
Becoming
a successful author requires more than just creative talent; it also depends on
the ability to focus, mental toughness, drive, optimism, and emotional control.
I loved
the NaNoWriMo experience and the sense of being part of a writing community is
great. The total number of winning participants was 170294 worldwide; the combined word
count was a staggering three million and some change. That’s something to be proud of!
By Fiona Ingram
By Fiona Ingram