Friday, December 01, 2006

NaNoWriMo - what I've learned

CONGRATULATIONS to those who made 50k during November! You ROCK!

I didn't make the finish line for NaNoWriMo. However, it was very successful for me and I've learned much.

Here are some of the things I've learned:
1. Any writing is better than no writing.
2. I can find time to write.
3. I get gut rot from too much coffee.
4. Writing 50,000 words in one month is hard!
5. Once I get into the groove of my story, and I write regularly, the story stays with me and I think about it all the time.
6. First drafts can, and usually do, suck.
7. You can't rewrite or improve a blank page.
8. It's fun to watch word count go up.
9. (one I already knew) The online writing community is very supportive. Thank you - you know who you are.
10. Hey, maybe I CAN write a book!!

What have you learned?

17 comments:

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Yes, we did great. *Applause* and spotlights on all of us! Your list of things you learned probably applies to us all. Good job, friend!

Tess said...

Pretty much the same as you, excpept I also learned I'm definitely NOT a pantser. Most definitely.

Good for you to get so far!!!

Terry said...

I didn't make it either! I learned that you have to be very focused during NaNoWriMo!

Sayre said...

After following several people who were giving it a whirl, I learned that I wanted to jump on that bandwagon too! I want to NaNoWriMo next November!!!!

dmartinwriter said...

I agree with almost all your points (I'm a tea drinker rather than coffee), but I'm proud to say I crossed the line with three hours to go on 30 November, with 50,015. It is hard, but I think that's one of the most important lessons - it's supposed to be, otherwise everyone would do it. A cliche, I know, but a lesson well learned. Keep it up! The only way you can fail is by quitting...

Anonymous said...

Writing 10k in a day is impressive, but a physical and mental strain if you try it three days in a row.

Writing or blogging every day makes it easier to make your daily goal.

If you get involved with some of the writing groups on the forums, they become a huge support group.

I don't like the taste of coffee.

Anonymous said...

heh heh, #7

#10 Glad to hear it was overall an encouraging experience.

Spilling Ink said...

I've learned that pantsers are at a bit of a disadvantage:-(

Anonymous said...

I'm all about #6 right now.

Anonymous said...

#7 is a good one. I try to remember that when ever I sit down and can't quite figure out what I'm trying to write.

Jean said...

You summed it up pretty well. Actually, writing 50k in a month gets easier with practice. Sometimes you learn it's not the way for you, but in the attempt, you can learn what works well for you, and, as you know, you can't rewrite or edit a blank page, so whatever suckage your first draft generates is better than nothing.

Of course you can write a book! That's what we've been trying to tell you.

Good on you for your NaNo finish. I'm proud of you for what you got. Can't wait for next year, but in the interim, I have lots of writing and revision to do.

Cole Reising said...

Awesome list! I agree with you on it all! Good job on what you wrote!

Cole

Buffy said...

I second number six.

utenzi said...

Michele sent me over, Nienke.

I've only done NaNoWriMo once and only got to 10k but it did illustrate quite well to me how hard it is to write a lot of words every single day. Of your 10 points the ones that resonate strongest with me are 1, 2, 6, 8 and most especially #4.

Happy writing to you, Nienke.

Paula said...

I've learned that trying to write something "good" isn't nearly as much fun as writing a trashy romance. Plus, I'm way way slower at good. (I only made it to 19K.)

Ashley said...

Oh, I regret not doing this, maybe I will make my own nano, but for january, just my own personal little thing,lol. Great blog!

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