FFW#6: NaNoWriMo Off-Season — Writing Productivity Open Discussion
Some writers jitter with anticipation, others escape into their caves with (ironic or not) dread. Regardless of how you feel about NaNoWriMo, it keeps coming back around every year and some of us will never shut up about it!
The biggest pull for writers all over the world to join in on the challenge of NaNoWriMo — National Novel Writing Month — is the writing community that forms around the event.
Somehow, the act of writing a lot becomes easier when you know thousands of people are also challenging themselves to do the same.
What Exactly Is NaNoWriMo?
If you already know, you can skip this next paragraph.
National Novel Writing Month is a worldwide, month-long writing event that happens every November. For 30 days, writers from all over the world and of every genre band together to write 50,000 words. Traditionally, writers are meant to start their novel from scratch on November 1st.
While the format was once strict, NaNoWriMo has mushroomed into spin-off and mini-events, along with an entire class of writers known as “NaNo Rebels,” a title which I proudly boast. The NaNo Camps that happen in April and July are like a big literary party.
Many writers I know use NaNoWriMo on a much more flexible basis. The month is more about building community, making new friends, and joining sprints than actually writing 50k.
The True Creative + Productive Value of National Novel Writing Month
NaNoWriMo is so much more than 1,600 words a day. Truthfully, I want to cry out when I see stressful responses to all that is NaNo.
When used as a positive goal-building tool, this once, twice, or three times yearly writing practice can shape who you are as a writer and bring unexpected opportunities. I still covet the tiny article I wrote for the NaNo Tumblog about getting in touch with your creative heart.
Let’s cover some of the major reasons I think NaNoWriMo is so valuable, and just plain love it.
1. Community = Productivity
Art is never complete without the feedback of fellow creatives. This is especially true of writing because we become so emotionally close, and therefore blind, to our stories.
The enthusiastic community of NaNoWriMo means you can make friends to discuss your writing with. Not just for the month of November, but for years to come. If you put in the time and effort, when you need eyes on your manuscript you’ll have a whole WriMo tribe to call upon.
One caveat/pro-tip about critique, however: Be discerning about who you share you heart-stories with. Use a trusted platform like Scribophile, hire a professional editor, or get to know someone a bit before sending them your writing.
Start with a chapter or a short story, and see if you jive with the person’s feedback. That way you both won’t waste an entire novel critique where the energy is mismatched and the feedback is useless.
2. Some People Just Love A Light-Hearted Challenge! >:) (That’s me!)
For me, NaNo is the perfect challenge. It isn’t easy, but neither does it feel like an impossible hurtle to leap, especially now that I’ve done it for almost a decade and have several winner’s badges.
The thing is, writing 1,600 words a day takes practice. Now that I’ve done NaNoWriMo so many times, I find that word count to be my baseline.
The short timeframe and quick pace of NaNo lets our subconscious take over and weave together stories that amaze us. An event like NaNo can help a writer push themselves and their stories to new realms.
3. NaNoWriMo Makes Rewrites Feel Like A Breeze
I’m a longtime, die-hard, NaNo Rebel. I never follow the rules, but instead use the prompts, constraints, and community to inspire my productivity.
I love using NaNo for rewrites, because not only do the words pile up quickly, I can get from 1/2 to 3/4 through a long fantasy novel manuscript in a single month.
I’m not saying editing fantasy novels is harder than literary fiction or other genre fiction (but it is D:), however, 135k+ manuscripts can be daunting.
NaNo passes in a blur, and before you know it you’re headlong towards the end of a full rewrite.
4. NaNoWriMo Keeps Writers Of All Kinds Focused
It’s easy to get caught up in each month as it sweeps by. Before you know it, another one is over and you realize you’ve hardly made any progress writing. It’s a shite feeling.
For me, November is intrinsically linked to NaNo. I can’t think of the two as separate anymore. That anticipation almost always leads to a bloom of productivity.
Additionally, knowing the camps are coming provide a flow through the year that keeps me busting out huge word counts in short amounts of time.
Real Talk: Writing 50k In One Month Isn’t For Everyone
And that’s totally fine!
NaNoWriMo is a high-paced challenge and attitude determines the outcome. If taken too seriously, NaNo is a recipe for a intimidation, overwhelm, and burnout.
Also, some writers just find structure stifling. I’ve warmed up to it over the years and have found enjoyment recently in keeping close track of all the words I write, including outlines and rewrites. But it doesn’t work for everyone and no one should try to fit themselves into a box they don’t like.
Of course, there are other ways to be part of a writing community and to be a hugely productive writer. In-person groups can be vital, and I’m absolutely in love with my Discord servers that give me a place to talk writing day in and day out.
So, Should You Or Should You Not NaNo?
If you don’t have a clear view of what NaNoWriMo is and if it would suit you or not, sadly I haven’t done my job.
But if you’re ready for the challenge, the good news is you can start to prep for NaNoWriMo anytime! There are still two Camps coming up where you can get into the groove by setting your own word count.
My best advice is to go into NaNoWriMo with a light heart and an open mind. Try not to put any great expectations on yourself and just let the story flow.
Go with your gut. Write your heart-story. Indulge your muses. NaNo!
Both NaNoWriMo And Productivity Are All About Mindset
For many writers, National Novel Writing Month is all about getting in the mindset of becoming a stronger, more productive writer.
Because the FIRST way we can become better writers is to start with sloppy first drafts. And knowing you gotta get 1,600 in before the day is out turns off your inner critic and lets you write that junk that is so essential to the success of your writing career.
Winning NaNo has everything to do with mindset, and getting to 50k has nothing to do with winning.
As long as you wrote, had a great time and built some writerly community, you won NaNoWriMo!
And please, let me know your thoughts about NaNoWriMo and how it intersects with your writing practice! Links below :3
Holy smokes, did you read that WHOLE thing? I seriously appreciate it, more than you know. Make sure to tell me what you thought in the comments or over on social media!
I am now on PATREON! Tiers start at only $1 with rewards like exclusive art, flash fiction, and the link to an upcoming secret writing resources page 👀.
I can’t tell you how much your support means to me.
Socials (let’s be friends)
My Writerly Self: Medium (You don’t have to be a member to read, but it supports me directly if you do!)
My Weird Self: Tumblr
My Professional Self: LinkedIn
See you there!
Borahae, much love, 好き, be well!
-Ari