writing thoughts

[cornerofmadness]

After seeing the word nano bantered about last week I had to go look it up...hmm writing a 50,000 word novel in a month. I've been since trying to figure out the advantages of this and have to admit I see very few beyond, the novel's done...and even that's not really true. Most publishers/agents won't look at anything under 75,000. In a month you'll get 50,000 words, most of it shit, no doubt. The site readily admits that. This isn't something you could shove on a resume. I'm not sure an agent would be impressed you whipped something out in a month (okay granted no one is going to just submit it after this, everyone would, one imagines, then take the time to fiddle with it and improve it, add those 25,000 words that are needed etc).

Okay so I have a novel. I've also deprived myself of the basic joy of writing one, ie. watching the characters grow, spending time with them and relishing their story. Does this reflect in the writing? I'm sure it would. Oh course, probably one of the points of this whole exercise is to get away from enjoying hte characters so much you never finish you novel. THat happens a lot.

So would i try this? I don't know. I know I can write 50,000 words in a month. I routinuely write 30-50K every month, mostly fan crap that gets me nowhere but its fun and I like doing it but sometimes it is at the cost of my original fic.

I think my biggest concern with this exercise is what happens afterwards. Those on my flist who have done this before, can you tell me, do they plan on putting this up on their site somewhere? (I tried to find it but when your dial up slows to 2 kbps on a regular basis, it's not possible to navigate anything. If they do, then absolutely not. I wouldn't do this. Posting entire novels (or links there to) can take you out of the running for ever selling the thing and there's not point in writing it (for me) if I couldn't market it.

On the other hand, if they don't post it, it could be an interesting exercise even though I know I probably have enough commitments already that I wouldn't get it done.

Comments

[vampedvixen.livejournal.com]

It's really more of a writing exercise than something that will further a person's career. More in the vein of "mostly [..] crap that gets me nowhere but its fun and I like doing it" then "I'm going to be a published success!" Like the adage goes, you have to write a lot of crap before you can start writing well. I did nano last year, and a few unofficial ones since then (in April and July). Even though I'll never sell a book (nor do I want to) I believe my writing has become better since participating in these exercises. And whether you can put that on a resume or not, writing better will still help in the professional field.

Plus, it's just a first draft. It's supposed to be crap. When the month is over, most people go back over their drafts and add more to it, delete the bullshit, and make it prettier.. which takes a hell of a lot longer. November is not the month to get it right, it's the month to get it written. And a lot of people, without having the community nano provides, wouldn't even have the strength of will needed to get the first draft done. They just keep putting it off, procrastinating and never do a thing about the story they have in their head.

It's a great way of networking too, because there are regional meetups and parties so you can meet writers in your area.

There have been some novels from nano published, but a lot of people just write because it's a hobby not because the have pipe dreams of becoming an author and making lots and lots of money. Basically, it's just fun.. and crazy!

Also, to answer your question..

[vampedvixen.livejournal.com]

No, they don't put the novels up on their site. For one, they don't have the space and for two, they know some people will go forward to try to publish their novels and they don't want to mess up their chances in the market.

Re: Also, to answer your question..

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

AH there it is, thanks. See, now that's a relief. Now I'm considering it...someone stop me now

[vampedvixen.livejournal.com]

*giggles maniacally*

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

stop that you

[vampedvixen.livejournal.com]

*puts out her arms and walks like a zombie*

Join us... join us...

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

ARGH! The plot bunnies are all ready hopping. Where's my 12 gauge?

Silly girl.

[vampedvixen.livejournal.com]

The plot bunnies aren't for killin', they're for petting and loving and coercing into telling you the whole story.

Re: Silly girl.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

they breed too fast some must die!

Well.. you've got a point there.

[vampedvixen.livejournal.com]

Plot bunnies need to go on birth control. No more multiplying for them.

Re: Well.. you've got a point there.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I've tried to get them to hold still for that but no luck

[vampedvixen.livejournal.com]

Perhaps if they didn't see the pliers before the neutering process began?

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I'll try that.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I can see all those points, yes thank you. Still, do you know if they post this thing up? I'm willing to concede the first chapter but not the story should I get it down if I even decide to do this.