Why quitting NaNoWriMo hurts extra than simply your writing
You've probably been told, it's National Novel Writing Month or "NaNoWriMo!"
Whether you're already participating or just watching, you probably know that the goal of this movement is to get writers to write a 50,000-word novel in just 30 days. If you hate math, that's a hell of 1,666 words a day.
3 reasons why you shouldn't quit NaNoWriMo
Writing a novel in a month is a wonderful idea.
But it's difficult for a variety of reasons, and the temptation to give up and just do it over time can be very appealing, especially as we approach Day 4 of the trip.
I know it's difficult
But quitting or just abstaining is the worst thing you can do right now if you have a passion for writing.
Here are three reasons why.
1. Quitting builds muscle memory
Quitting offers a dash of instant gratification. It is relieving and seems to be the solution to a long term problem.
But giving up builds muscle memory. It is an active decision that only requires passive action. These passive decisions become very comfortable over time and our muscles – both physically and mentally – get very used to them!
Remember to quit a diet or exercise program. Both decisions require the lack of action.
However, continuing the diet (the decision to buy, cook, and consume healthier meals) requires conscious choices that will rebuild the muscles in the mind, stomach, and body.
The same goes for training. Through conscious decisions, muscles are broken down and rebuilt over a long period of time. However, if you choose not to exercise, the muscles are still learning and getting back to the gym becomes increasingly difficult over time.
Whether you quit NaNoWriMo or not, you are teaching your muscles. Make Sure To Build Muscles To Live With!
Do not stop. Because the "I'll do it later" muscle will never write a novel, never build an email list, never follow guest posts and podcast interviews, never do readings or appearances, and never go all-in on the dream of writing and sharing this gift with the world.
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Don't stop writing. The muscle "I'll do it later" will never write your novel.
2. Abstention feeds the critic, not the artist
Have you ever read someone's story and thought I could do better?
But then we sit down and try and find that it's not as easy as we thought it was.
This is the duality of critic versus artist. When we watch and observe, we are not investing in our artistic selves. Rather, we give the critic his day, allow him to safely observe and judge others again and again.
Here's a good diagnosis of whether or not you give in to the critic: Do you often say cynical or pessimistic things about the work of others? Do you see the negative in everything?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you are likely spending too much time on the sidelines.
So stay in the game or jump in while the month is still young. Switch to NaNoWriMo today if you haven't already. Reschedule when you stall.
And don't worry about hitting the 50,000 word goal! What is your goal? What's your dream? Don't worry about what everyone else thinks of you – they are not living your dream.
Also, critics worry about what everyone else thinks. Artists focus on telling a great story.
3. Your choices reveal your character
Many will quit NaNoWriMo or abstain because "I can't get to 50,000 words" or "Novels are not my thing".
This reveals a lot about your own character, because excuses are an easy escape route.
When people let arbitrary rules dominate their artistic lives, they doom themselves to wanting and hunting rather than sharing and community building.
Maybe your art is poetry. Why not write thirty poems, one a day?
What If Your Medium Is Flash Fiction? How about three pieces a day, a total of ninety in just one month? You could publish that, no problem.
Or maybe you're the nonfiction coach and you really want to start a blog about something that intrigues you. Write and publish a post daily. Gain momentum. Share it anywhere. See what happens.
We cannot allow NaNoWriMo's "rules" to become excuses to part with or dissuade us from risky, rewarding opportunities.
Real artists who are eager to tell stories and share them with others don't let excuses hold them back. They bend excuses according to their will and turn them into challenges. And challenges are exciting because they keep making us better.
Don't let excuses be your escape ramp. Do not flee the truth that your artistic future is really in your hands and only in your hands.
Don't worry about NaNoWriMo's 50,000 words. Find your 50,000 words, whatever they are.
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Quitting NaNoWriMo hurts more than just writing. Go on.
Think about the point of NaNoWriMo
According to the NaNoWriMo mission statement, the goal of the event is "to provide the structure, community and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals and build new worlds – on and off the page".
It's not about releasing a best-selling masterpiece.
It's not about using your "one shot" on size.
It's not about impressing your friends or writing a community.
It's about creating. It is about fellowship, encouragement, building, and finding our voices within a word requirement that tests our determination to fulfill our calling.
NaNoWriMo even recognizes that it's not just about writing – it's about YOU and who you are "from the side".
Something magical happens when we commit to our passion, hustle and bustle, and sacrifice to tell powerful stories that will transform us into better people.
It is also something that changes life: we mature and transform into people we long for.
Remember: NaNoWriMo is not about the number of words or the end product.
It's about your soul.
We usually welcome comments that respond to the post. But today, Please only post work from practice. Commenting on someone else's writing is MUCH easier than committing to NaNoWriMo's goals, and I admit that I often choose to comment instead of completing the actual exercise. So please only after training, which I will do!
WORK OUT
Today's practice consists of two parts.
First, take fifteen minutes to work on your NaNoWriMo project and share it in the comments. If this is your first day, don't worry. Just write. Just start a story. If you can't come up with a story, embark on a memoir project that begins with an early childhood moment that began to shape your self-identity.
Then add a quick note to your NaNoWriMo project and indicate if it is a novel, short story collection, poetry collection, flash fiction collection, etc. Give your co-authors the freedom to find their own creative path instead of succumbing to the fear of “not getting it right”.
When you're done, share your writing in the comments.
David Safford
