It’s that time of the year again, where all writers, aspiring and ones who already have their names on bookshelves, gather together to write in a simple yet conflicting and BRAIN-SHATTERING way : thanks to NaNoWriMo.
If you’re not aware of what that is, because you’ve been living in a cave for the last few years, away from the tight bloggers/writers community, or simply, because you’re not interested in writing, NaNoWriMo is a crazy-challenging idea, where you’re supposed to write a novel – well, 50,000 words – in November. When the cold weather is coming, when you’re swamped with essays, work and exams coming soon -well, for me-, why not add to the amazingly little torture by thinking, HEY, let’s write a NOVEL in the month?!
Last year, I participated and I completely failed. I had some plans in mind, some ideas shaped, but it wasn’t enough. This year, I’m definitely coming back full swing with another idea, AN OUTLINE that I’m completely moving every single time I’m writing –is that the right way to do so? ANYWAY, I AM WRITING. And that’s what matters.
So, what am I writing about, you’re asking?
I’m currently working on an idea I had for a while, now. In it, I’m sorry to say you won’t find any dragons, fantasy creatures or elves, because I feel like that’s not my writing style, but maybe I’ll try, sometime! I’m writing a contemporary novel, with a twist that you won’t see coming, hopefully. It deals with studies, pressure, it has childhood best friends with a complicated and heartbreaking relationship, it’s about who to trust and who you can’t trust. It’s about following your dreams, and learning at what cost. I’m not going to share an official synopsis, not because I’m feeling like I will become an amazing, best-selling author, but because I’m shaping the whole story as I write. And because I’m kind of shy. ?
HELP, NaNoWriMo is taking over my life?!
Okay, honestly, I asked myself this question a thousand times since the beginning of November. I put off homework, I PUT OFF READING to write (THAT hurts me, believe me). But I love every single step of the way. I’m currently at 21,000 words – a little behind, but I’d say I’m doing pretty good, for now. I’m trying to write a little bit everyday, even if it’s just a few words. Because it feels GOOD to update the word count, and see that I’m progressing. That, unlike last year, I’m not letting this story down. If you’re interested, you can add me as a writing buddy!
So, here we are. I’m no expert on the subject, since it’s only my second year participating in this, but I do have some tips that I hope will be helpful.
? It doesn’t matter if you’re not a plotter, or a pantser. If you prefer to have a whole outline, the whole story shaped, or just throw yourself in the writing without looking back, letting yourself free. WRITE AS YOU FEEL it, and don’t panic because others outline, and others don’t. Do it your way, YOUR WAY is the RIGHT WAY.
? WORD COUNT IS A DEVIL ON YOUR SHOULDER. Don’t listen to him. He’s pressuring you, to update him every single day, even when you’re too busy, or not feeling like it. Just send him away. If you joined NaNo, it’s to write. Write, at your rhythm. Never force yourself to write.
? NEVER LOOK BACK, the road is ahead. November is a writing month, you definitely should put those words on the page, and see what you can change about it later. Put your story out there, no matter how sketchy it is for now. It will be there, and that’s what matters.
I loved this post 😀 A+ gif use haha. I added you as a buddy! 🙂 Good luck with the rest of NaNo! I will definitely follow your tips 😛 Especially the third one is hard for me not do haha
Thank you so much, I’m so happy you liked it 😀 I added you, too 🙂 The third one is the hardest for me, and I try not to look back, but the struggle is REAL everytime I open my Word doc, and read the last words I wrote, I want to change everything, ahah!
Haha right?! Same here, but I try not to haha
I loved this post, Marie! First, congrats on your word count! It’s looking really good and then second: I LOVE YOUR STORY IDEA! Those are such relatable topics and I can’t wait to read your story one day (if you want to share it! No pressure! It’s really up to you!)
Happy writing 🙂 and hopefully no too severe brain melts along the way. I’ve only read one book this month and it’s killing me, but I simply can’t concentrate on reading without feeling guilty that I am not writing.
Thank you so much!! <3 I'm glad you like it! Maybe I will do another post where I share more about my story, if you're interested! 😀 I'm just always a little bit shy about my writing.
I feel the same way about reading this month! I feel so guilty about reading, so I try to write more, but I miss reading, too. It's hard to balance those two, this month. 🙁
Thank you Kat!! <3
😉 You’re very welcome!
Weirdly enough, WordPress only showed me the first line of your reply and I just now read the rest of it! I get feeling shy about your writing, I didn’t share anything from last year’s story Break Up Buddy. I was so anxious sharing stuff about Dreamer. Everyone (you included! <3) has been so nice though! I would love to read something, but as I said, please don't feel pressured!
That’s so weird, sometimes WordPress does weird things ahah! Thank you so much! Maybe I will share a snippet of it sometime soon, I’m happy that my story can interest you! 😀
I know! WordPress is just strange like that!
I would love to read it! <3
I’d love to know what you’re working on! I’m not doing NaNoWriMo this year but I’ll try to do it next year for sure. And thanks for the tips. I’ll keep them in mind for next year.
Thank you so much!! Maybe I will share a little more about what I’m working on in another post if you’re interested 😀
Yay! I hope you’ll enjoy participating next year 😀 Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
My pleasure! I’ll be waiting for your post! 😀
I am doing NaNoWriMo and I feel like my brain is going to EXPLODE. I am definitely struggling keeping up with both it and blogging.
It’s been going okay. I think that what I am most concerned about is after I finish. What I am writing is a total mess, and every year that I do this I promise myself I will edit it and then… I don’t. I am determined that this will be the year I change that.
Also I totally get what you mean about sharing plot. I get so embarrassed. I tried to go to a writing group yesterday, but it was a group of boys talking about their dragon novels so I left. Total wimp. But I got a ton of writing done, so it wasn’t a total loss.
I’ve been struggling, too! It’s hard to keep on blogging, writing, reading, during this month. Everytime I’m not writing, I feel guilty a bit.
I’m sure you will change that this year! I’ll come to annoy you on the 1st december to make sure you’ll edit it right after! 😀 I’m saying that, but I’m not sure how I will do on the editing part after, either, ahah.
Oh, well at least you got some writing done, so that’s good! And I’m sure whatever you’re working on is going to be great! 😀
Haha, thanks! That might be necessary.
We’ve nearly reached the end! I can’t believe how quickly the month has flown by.
I can’t believe it either! It went by so fastly, yet I feel like I’m working on writing this for months, ahah 🙂
Awk, I totally adored your advice of “Do it your way, YOUR WAY is the RIGHT WAY.” YESSSS. That is the best advice of the universe and I wish more people would listen to it!! Forcing stuff just makes one miserable. Although, I mean, I do force myself to stop procrastinating and write, but I let it flow (and go…lol) too if need be. *nods*
I HOPE NANO DOESN’T EAT YOUR BRAIN ENTIRELY. *gives you copious amounts of cake and chocolate*
Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
Aww thank you so much Cait *blushes like crazy* ! Let me reassure you, I force myself to stop procrastinating, too, even if it’s probably the hardest thing ever haha!
Aw thank you, cake and chocolate is much neeeded, I’m getting late on schedule again, IT IS REALLY EATING MY BRAIN a little bit.
Thank you so much Cait!! <3
What an awesome and helpful post, Marie! I’m not really a writer so I’ve never thought about participating in NaNoWriMo, but good luck and have fun! 😀
Aww, thank you so, so much, Summer, that means a lot to me! <3