My November Writing Experiment

An alternative NaNoWriMo experiment

I have always enjoyed writing and reading and had been posting poetry on Instagram for a couple of years.

This resulted in me getting some poems published; single poems in a couple of publications, and a collection in an anthology from a group of poets all over the world. But I needed a new challenge.

At the end of October, I decided to put in some serious effort into my writing.

I was inspired by an email from Ninja Writers. It suggested that instead of doing NaNoWriMo and writing a novel, I focus on my writing — developing more of a presence on this platform, thinking of myself as a writer and all that comes with it, including promoting myself.

In a nutshell, my goal was to post every day, develop and grow my writing, and to make connections.

So I dove in.

Here are some key facts and stats before this experiment started:

• Between January 29 and October 2nd I posted 29 pieces of writing on this platform — mostly poetry.
• I just sent it out to the ether because I had no idea how it all worked.
• I had a total of 1072 claps.
• I had approximately 120 followers (I’m only guessing because I forgot to write it down!)

Following the advice in the email I got, I sat down and did some serious planning:

• I wrote down lists of things I was good at and things I could improve on.
• I wrote down lists of ideas for stories
• I went through the hundreds of poems that I already had written and earmarked some for publication here
• I read about how ‘this all works,’ how to submit for publications, format, tag, link, etc
• I read lots of lovely pieces, and some that, quite frankly, bored me
• I researched
• I made contact with writing groups on Facebook

And I started writing and posting.

Once I started this process I found that my writing and connection with others grew organically. I kind of went rogue rather than follow the structured guidance that had been suggested.

My confidence grew and my goal didn’t waver — I wanted to post every day, I wanted my writing to grow and develop, I wanted to make connections.

Key facts and stats after one month:

• I posted almost every day, some days with multiple posts
• I posted 56 pieces of writing (I have another 25 in my draft folder)
• I am a writer or editor for 14 different publications
• I have my own publication
• I started an email list
• I started a Twitter account
• I started writing satire and comedy
• I am part of MAP, writing satirical news items
• I wrote about some really personal things in my life
• I have continually posted poetry, here and on Instagram
• I made a poetry chapbook
• I participated in some great challenges (like this and this)
• I’ve “met” some amazing people, fellow writers who are encouraging and funny and supportive
• I’ve had a total of approximately 16,920 claps (which means very little now after all the changes) but increased from the first few months
• I have 395 followers and follow 427 people myself

As for the other stats we have access to, I rarely check them. I have looked maybe twice at the stats on the odd piece that has had lots of claps or that people have commented on. It’s kind of nice as a writer to have instant feedback! I don’t know how much I have earned. I don’t know how much collective read-time my pieces have had.

I guess I don’t really care about that because my focus was always on my own development as a writer.

And the connections.

I have had some lovely conversations with people. I’ve felt really welcomed by many and even wrote about it in some poetic prose. I messenger chat with some people nearly every day, have conversations on Facebook, and might even video call if the time zones work!

A few people have invited me to submit work to their publications which I find totally amazing.

I might even meet up with a few people in 2020 as they travel to my little archipelago!

One month ago I had never imagined that focusing on my writing could produce this kind of outcome. That I would feel so much a part of a community — a community spread out all over the world, truly global.

There are aspects of this platform that still puzzle me, confuse me, and even frustrate me. I am learning to wade through the clickbait titles that we are not supposed to have. I now know to click straight on “New From Your Network.” Ignore the other stuff.

I read the work of some people every day. Like Rolli — I love his drawings and have pangs in my heart at how the changes in this platform have effected him. I savour the words of lovely poets like Jenny Justice, Gretchen Lee Bourquin 💗POM-poet!💗, Christina Ward 💗. I laugh out loud at funny and clever people (there are soooo many!).

I often have accented voices in my heads! (Jimmywayne and Lee). I talk to Michelle Monet nearly every day, sharing our stories (and frustrations). Marilyn Flower and Susan Brearley help me laugh and also reflect on life. I enjoy the fiction of Starkey, enough to perhaps try it myself one day. Kris W Leon’s clever writing is always a pleasure and Natalie Frank, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology) work is such great satire you have to check the tags just to make sure.

Alan Asnen has convinced me to travel to the lake of his ancestors. Justine Reed, Lisa Tomey, Tammi Brownlee, Zarina Dara 🥀💃🏻 have all chatted with me on Facebook. Janie Emaus played tag with me then discovered I shop at a place called Emmaus! Peggy Gillespie Hazelwood shares my reluctance to hug. Bebe Nicholson has cheered me on when I’ve written something personal. Caroline de Braganza makes me want to visit South Africa.

So my little experiment has been a success! My goals have been achieved.

• I posted nearly every day
• my writing has developed
• I have made connections

I am learning, healing, laughing, growing.

I am still not 100% sure about whether I will continue with this. I must say that like the discipline of it, the outlet. I am a foreigner in the land I live in. Sometimes I feel it intensely so having a global family helps. I don’t have the family connections and ties here that others have so I have time to cultivate this passion. I can write about my experiences in this relatively new country, about funny things, reflections on life, even beer! (I really like Stout!)

So maybe I will continue. Continue my subscription. Continue writing. Continue connecting. Continue reflecting.

~thanks for reading~

Lisa is a poet, writer, and teacher. She lives in an archipelago in Finland, occasionally traveling the vast distance back to her home country of Australia.