Didn’t Finish NaNoWriMo? Doesn’t Matter.
Writing a novel is crazy. Writing a novel in one month is insane *cough* NaNoWriMo *cough*. So why do people do it? There are some great benefits to taking on a writing challenge like NaNoWriMo….and some drawbacks too. Let’s take a quick look at both.
The good side:
It sets a solid goal (and deadline) for you.
It’s much easier to start running when there’s a finish line. It can be hard to find the motivation to start a project when it lacks a defined endpoint (as novels often do). NaNoWriMo temporarily addresses this problem by making you focus on just the first draft, giving you a crazy deadline. Crazy deadline means less time to procrastinate and edit. Less time procrastinating and editing means more time spent actually writing. And so it goes.
It gets you started.
Because you’re given that crazy deadline, you’re put in the unusual position of having to write (and keep writing) no matter what. Even if you feel unprepared, even if you feel that it’s not your best work, even if you’re not entirely sure where you’ll end up. It gets you out of your head, so to speak, and forces you to put words to paper regardless of how you feel about them.
It comes with a community of writers.
You’re given the opportunity connect with other writers and share ideas, roadblocks, and successes…which can make a world of difference. Even better: a community of writers who are trying to achieve the same thing. NaNoWriMo brings the party to you. You can write from your favorite local coffeeshop, nearby library, or even your bed, and still feel connected to a community.
However, while NaNoWriMo has many great benefits, it isn’t perfect…
The drawbacks:
Burnout
I mean, you are writing 50,000 words in one month. This is a difficult and daunting task even if you were to just write (ha) and do nothing else (haha). It’s not uncommon to experience a productivity / creativity fallout. You’ve just worked intensely on this thing for a month, in the company of others, with a real, tangible goal in sight. When that all ends, it can be hard to find your bearings and figure out how to continue on.
The “win / lose” mindset.
If you achieve the 50,000 word goal, then this is great. You’ve won! You’ve reached the finish line, earned the medal, seen your hours of hard work come to fruition. The idea of “winning” NaNoWriMo gives you a defined accomplishment. It encourages you to celebrate your hard work.
But what if you don’t “win”? Does that mean you’ve lost? A quick scan through the #NaNoWriMo hashtag on Twitter and you’ll see lots of people berating themselves for not finishing in time. For “failing.” But writing a novel isn’t really about speed, about sprinting to the finish line. It’s a marathon. It’s about putting the long, hard hours of work. It’s about knowing your goals and sticking to them even when the going gets tough. It’s about patience and endurance and tenacity. It’s about recognizing your limits and working within them.
So whether you “won” or “lost” at NaNo, what did you learn about yourself as a writer?
Want to continue with your NaNo novel? Check out OneRoom’s novel writing coaching program. We’re dedicated to providing perpetual motivation, accountability, and encouragement for your writing.
Kayla Quock graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in English Lit. and a minor in Education. She worked for the UCB Vice Chancellor for Equity & Inclusion before coming to work at OneRoom.
