Thread: I never started...

I don't think it's entirely good practise to be convinced you're writing shit your whole session, you should work on that.

Go read adrianhayter's sig and get back to me. I'm comfortable writing shit.

In your original post you said, "...because I'm lost in trying to understand the point in participating." That directly states that you don't fully understand NaNo. Why, then, do you take offense when I reiterate that in my posts to you? I and others here have answered your assertions and given you our opinions on why we participate and you ave countered by insisting that it is a waste of time.

Dude, seriously, chill. I'm not against you at all. I am not against whatever method you use to write. I'm not against anyone who writes. All I'm trying to say here is that you should not criticize what works for others, just as I will not criticize what works for you. What I am against is someone asserting, in a blanket statement, that NaNo is a waste of time and resources. That statement inherently implies that those who take part are wasting time and resources. That is flawed logic since the evidence overwhelmingly contradicts that point. I am also not asserting that NaNo is for everyone. You said it doesn't work for you..fine. That doesn't mean it is a waste.

I have not belittled anyone's (even your) method of writing. I have now repeatedly offered my support to all writers and any method they choose, including NaNo. What I have answered here is your post asking how others feel about the issues you listed. I have made my case, and you have supported nearly every point I have made and have contradicted your own arguments. If you continue to debate the issue, please do so with consistency, and research your points before you make them. (This is a very important skill when writing a book, too, btw.)

This thread could be a venue for healthy debate on methods of writing, including NaNo, including your own, including mine (which, by the way, does not follow the NaNo rubric). I am interested in the way other people approach their writing, but not when they insist that their way is the only right way. Sure, there are disciplines involved, but each person has his or her own method of incorporating them into productivity as a writer.

Oh, and you may not have heard of Sue Grafton, but her books really did start with "A"..she's all the way up to "T" and they've all been published and very well received. She's doing something right. Wouldn't you like to know about successful authors and learn from their success? There's always something new to learn.

And wow, I really do get enough attention aside from the computer screen, but thank you for your concern. It's just been a while since a fun debate like this has just dropped in my lap. Now, would you care to answer my arguments instead of attacking my character?

Sorry, one more thing: You seem to think that people who disagree with you are insulting you. If I make the statement: "Those who disagree with me are insulting me," then it would logically follow that since you have disagreed with us (NaNo participants), you are insulting us (NaNo participants). Is that the point you're trying to make? Please clarify. This is not personal, although personal information is peppered throughout on both sides. This is about the issues that you have raised. You asked for opinions and you got them. (Be careful what you ask for.... lol)

Now, on a personal level, I can see your passion and your vision for your writing and I am encouraged by your enthusiasm and your willingness to put yourself on the line for what you believe. I would not be surprised to see you in print at some point, but from what I've read of your writing (yes, I have actually read what you wrote), your talent is there, but some basic writing skills need to be developed a bit more. You have a great imagination and a good way with descriptive narrative. Please don't close the door on things that are alien to you. You take great risks in your writing, and that can work to the benefit of your book; why not also take great chances with your skill and open yourself up to new ideas. I'm not talking about NaNo, I'm talking about school, college, training in your craft. You have a great potential and taking a class or two, if you're willing to listen to someone you disagree with, can push you to greater heights. I wish you the best. Honest.

You wouldn't happen to be the same guy that works on the web comic Two Lumps would you?

I've tried NaNo before, it wasn't for me. The last three years I've been in the middle of something and I don't just drop a project. Perhaps next year I will have the availability for it.

Okay, that's fair. Why does it bother you that some of the rest of us like doing it?

My time is very important to me and using so much of it to create something whose point isn't to be good isn't worth my time.

But... It's not your time that's being spent. It's someone else's. Why bother with how they spend their time as long as it doesn't infringe on your time?

If your time is so important to you, why do you keep posting in this thread, letting us all know how big a waste of time NaNo is? It's simple... if you aren't interested in NaNo, don't participate. But, you're in here whining about. Why?

Originally Posted by Rabid Euphoria

I'm well enough informed of what my characters can do. I wrote a hundred + pages in five weeks a few months ago. When the floodgate it open I can write and write and write but then sometimes, it just closes and it's difficult sometimes not to write, but have it flowing out and writing pages in a single day. My story was writing itself, changing under my hands.

Writing fast, doesn't necessarily mean writing good. This exercise may work for you and for others but for me it does not. I've noticed my best work come from when I take the try to try and say what I mean, though it may only come out a page at a time. Lest we forget people hit blocks all the time.

I'm just saying, if you need something like NaNoWriMo in order to sit down and write...what are you waiting for the other 11 months of the year? Writing is something to do close to every day. When I started writing I tried this but for a young writer it's quite a formidable task. Knowing that I can do it, the appeal to do it has been lost. Besides, I'm writing because I've got stories inside my head I want out and because I want to scare people and shock people.

I'm a bit shocked in my treatment in this thread, simply because I don't participate in this. Being talked to as if I'm green.

Most writers follow the ideology that it's quality over quantity, when going about their regular writing. We agonize over every detail, research until some of us reach expert status on a given topic. Basically we bore ourselves to death with everything but writing. We allow ourselves to make up more and more excuses NOT to write the piece. "I need to research, or this character seems flat" etc... Nano is the opposite. It's put your butt in the seat and write. You're given 30 days (720 hours) to write 50,000 words. It's QUANTITY over quality.

For the most of the rest of us jump into Nano for that excuse to write for the sake of writing, to write WITHOUT the restrictions that we place on ourselves.

There's another reason some writer's participate, although, it's most likely far from the main reason. Charity. Instead of just donating money to a cause and forgetting about it, they get together in a community and enjoy themselves while handing over a few bucks.

In the previous three years, 17 libraries were built in South East Asia, all funded by NaNo participants--3 in Cambodia, 7 in Laos, and 7 in Vietnam. It's a good cause.

Why do I do it every year? Simply put, because I can and I enjoy it. Do I really need another reason?

And, just as an aside:

I'm just saying, if you need something like NaNoWriMo in order to sit down and write...what are you waiting for the other 11 months of the year?

NaNo doesn't close when the month of November is over, and participartion in November isn't the only reason to join. There is a thriving community there all year round, as well as the many spin offs (Like NaNoEdMo). They are really no different than any other writer's group (like the one you've joined here) getting together and discussing the ups and downs of writing.

Wow, I inadvertantly opened up a jar of wasps.

Valeca...right on.

NaNo is indeed a great way to encourage and educate readers and writers all over the world.

The impact of words, the power of the pen, the heart of the writer.... one beautiful package.