Thread: I never started...

...because I'm lost in trying to understand the point in participating. Writing, in my experience, isn't something I can just pick up and do and go nuts on. In order to write my mood has to be exact and inspiration in full effect. I can't turn it on and write a novel in a month like this. With Jobs/school I'd be wasting my attempting this.

I'd like to do it but it seems improbable...not to mention I'd have to be looking for a new project in timing with this. Anyone else have issues with this aspect of it?

Don't give up, dude. All of us feel like that at one point or another.

Originally Posted by Rabid Euphoria

I'm lost in trying to understand the point in participating.

NaNo doesn't have a point. Or it does, but the point is simple: "Sit your ass down and write." That's it. That's the only "point" to the whole thing.

If you're looking for some deep and meaningful philosophy, NaNo isn't for you.

It sounds like your ability to write is very narrow and focused. Nano expands that. You write so much so fast, and then you go back later (after the month is over or you have reached over 50,000 and the end) and you come across passages that are quite bad, and then you edit them and turn them into gems, increasing your editing skills, but you also come across bits you barely remember writing that are wonderful, expressive and flowing, and you think "Did I do that?"

And you complete a project of such a magnitutde that the completion is impressive in and of itself.

I am all fired up - off to my writin in 90 minutes!

It's not my ability to write is expanded and focused but writing tires me out. I have written close to a NaNoWriMo entry in a month before, when inspiration is at a max. I don't think I can just write for the sake of participating...timing would have to be write. If I was about to start a new novel at the time, I would try it.

Okay, so it's not your bag, baby, yeah.

Go do your thing and be groovy, eh?

Those of us who enjoy NaNo will do so... you can keep the rain clouds in your own back yard.

It's called an exercise in writing. You may finish, you may not, but you will learn much about yourself, your writing, your characters, and what you are actually capable of. I'm also a musician and I play every day. Even when it's boring and tedious. I do the same with my writing. It's a job. Sometimes, well, most of the time, I absolutely love it. Then there are times when I look at the screen and wonder what in the world am I going to write today. Why can't I just take today off. What could I possibly write while in this mood, that would be any good to anyone? It's at that time when I force myself to do my job that I find out what I am. I am a writer. I must write or my skill declines, just as I must practice my music every day or my skill declines. If I don't practice for a day, I know it. If I don't practice for a week, my band knows it. If I don't practice for two weeks, my audience knows it. If I only write when I'm in the mood, I don't grow as a writer.

...and that's my $0.02

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.

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.

Erm. You're the one who started a thread stating you didn't understand the point in participating. Several people (including myself) have stated the reason for participating.

It's not that I don't write for the other 11 months of the year, I just like participating in NaNo, because it's the one time of the year that most of my non-writer friends actually write and we can commiserate on characters, plot and woeful loss of focus.

If NaNo isn't for you, fine. I'm a little confused as to why you began the thread, if you didn't want people to tell you their reason for participating. There are tonnes of other places you could post; why pick the only one dedicated to NaNo on this forum?

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.

Down, Simba! There's a big pink elephant in the living room here...let's take care of it instead of ignoring it.

I'm very happy for you that you write so many brilliant pages so quickly. Let me know where I can buy your book.

You're the one who kick-started this engine. Nobody is talking down to you or criticizing your method of writing. And if we're going THERE.... how DARE you criticize anyone else's. Apparently, you don't see the fun in doing an exercise in which you get to spew out 50k of garbage in 30 days. Along the way, we meet other writers, discover new resources and get a challenge we might not otherwise have. I, myself, have never had such a deadline in my professional life, nor would I care for one if I had to have a "finished" product. Still, this exercise is a great way to do mental pushups. If you had read the NaNo guidelines, you would already know it is about QUANTITY, not QUALITY. NaNo is also a great tool to encourage young or new writers to get into it and see what they are actually capable of producing. The staff at NaNo support many educational opportunities that promote writing in schools and communities. Why would you openly criticize something like that?

Now, in answer to your comment about the other 11 months (which I find insultingly amusing), I write every single day of the year, no matter what the circumstances. I am an award-winning and published author, but who cares what I accomplished yesterday; I'm focused on doing it again tomorrow. I will not comment on your method of writing, only your method of writing about the way other writers write. I write mainly fiction. Does that mean that the author who focuses on nonfiction is wrong? Of course not. So BACK OFF. If you can't encourage someone, keep it to yourself. You don't want to do it? So what? Don't do it and be on your happy way.

Like I said in my previous post:

Originally Posted by JollyMinstrel

Okay, so it's not your bag, baby, yeah.

Go do your thing and be groovy, eh?

Those of us who enjoy NaNo will do so... you can keep the rain clouds in your own back yard.

And FYI... there are a few well-known, highly successful authors taking part also. And they take the time to encourage their fellow participants. You know, like Sue Grafton... I've got an email in my inbox from her... the same as every other participant, with some great insight into her writing methods and personal struggles with the contest. Hmmm.

Originally Posted by JollyMinstrel

Down, Simba! There's a big pink elephant in the living room here...let's take care of it instead of ignoring it.

I'm very happy for you that you write so many brilliant pages so quickly. Let me know where I can buy your book.

Sarcasm and condescension will not fare well against me.

You're the one who kick-started this engine. Nobody is talking down to you or criticizing your method of writing. And if we're going THERE.... how DARE you criticize anyone else's. Apparently, you don't see the fun in doing an exercise in which you get to spew out 50k of garbage in 30 days. Along the way, we meet other writers, discover new resources and get a challenge we might not otherwise have. I, myself, have never had such a deadline in my professional life, nor would I care for one if I had to have a "finished" product. Still, this exercise is a great way to do mental pushups. If you had read the NaNo guidelines, you would already know it is about QUANTITY, not QUALITY. NaNo is also a great tool to encourage young or new writers to get into it and see what they are actually capable of producing. The staff at NaNo support many educational opportunities that promote writing in schools and communities. Why would you openly criticize something like that?

Please point out where I started this 'engine' as you put it (I can see why you're a published author). In your excursion you may discover that it was you and you're 'hey, it's groovy' talk. Everything was chilled before you got in here. I say 'I don't like to particpate and why' and here come you walking in high and mighty defending your beloved NaNoWriMo.

Now, in answer to your comment about the other 11 months (which I find insultingly amusing), I write every single day of the year, no matter what the circumstances. I am an award-winning and published author, but who cares what I accomplished yesterday; I'm focused on doing it again tomorrow. I will not comment on your method of writing, only your method of writing about the way other writers write. I write mainly fiction. Does that mean that the author who focuses on nonfiction is wrong? Of course not. So BACK OFF. If you can't encourage someone, keep it to yourself. You don't want to do it? So what? Don't do it and be on your happy way.

When I said 'you' I meant to whomever read it - it was general. I never bashed anyone or their method of writing nor was I searching for a sermon or a reason to particpate. I was wondering if there was anyone else out there had trouble finding inspiration simply because 'It's NaNoWriMo'. I apologize you took everything I said the wrong way...but perhaps it illustrates wonders on your person. When I talked about 'the 11 other months' it was in relation to what makes NaNoWriMo so special if you do that ALREADY? That was all. You took offense to it and that is not my problem. However, I do have a problem with you standing on your pedastal, with your award and your published work, pointing a condescending finger in my direction.

Me writing about the way other's write? You put more words in my mouth than number of breaths I take in a day. Find it funny how you're doing the same thing to me...hypocrite?

'If you'd already read the NaNo guidelines'...nice line. you make it sound as if I hadn't read them half dozen times in my life. So would a photographer take shots of anything for excercise? A tree, a rock...it's all good? Writing 175 pages of drivel isn't my idea of a productive exercise. I'd rather write 60 pages I'm happy with in a month and push extra hard for something half as good.

And FYI... there are a few well-known, highly successful authors taking part also. And they take the time to encourage their fellow participants. You know, like Sue Grafton... I've got an email in my inbox from her... the same as every other participant, with some great insight into her writing methods and personal struggles with the contest. Hmmm.

Who the hell is Sue Grafton? Congrats on getting a mandatory e-mail from a 'famous' (don't know her) author. Does it make you feel special? Regardless of what the famous Sue Grafton does, says or struggles with...I'm losing the point of your very long post. Are you trying to coerce me to particpate in NaNoWriMo or prove I'm wrong with a brilliant name drop like Sue Grafton?


Since you(and I mean you) love NaNoWriMo and doesn't have any issues with it, why are you even in this thread? It doesn't pertain to you in any shape or form. What is your published name so I make a mental note to not buy a book written from a condescending, hypocritical person such as yourself.



Now, back on topic. Does anyone else besides me have trouble discovering the inspiration to participate? If you do, why is that?

How about Neil Gaiman? Know who he is? He also sent an email to WriMo participants. Also; I notice you didn't answer me. You original post:

...because I'm lost in trying to understand the point in participating. Writing, in my experience, isn't something I can just pick up and do and go nuts on. In order to write my mood has to be exact and inspiration in full effect. I can't turn it on and write a novel in a month like this. With Jobs/school I'd be wasting my attempting this.

I'd like to do it but it seems improbable...not to mention I'd have to be looking for a new project in timing with this. Anyone else have issues with this aspect of it?

And then your subsequent posts were horribly condescending. You don't know who Sue Grafton is? Fine. You're obviously on the internet. Google it. I didn't recognise her name either. Less than one second with Google and I went "Oh. I know who that is!"

Then you end your last post with this

Now, back on topic. Does anyone else besides me have trouble discovering the inspiration to participate? If you do, why is that?

That's... not what your topic was. And if it was, you asked it in a way that was misconstrued by others here, meaning that you failed to get your point across.

To answer that question, despite you not answering mine; no. I don't have any trouble finding the inspiration. If nothing else, I have my snippets/idea folder that can be gone to in times of drought.

rain, rain...go away...

(I hope you don't mind, but I made a few basic corrections in your quotes.)

I'm not on a pedestal, sorry to have come across that way. Truly. Please accept my apology on that point. Also, I'm not criticizing your method of writing, merely pointing out that from your perspective, you can't see the value in the way anyone else works. And I very much doubt you would enjoy the stories I've published. You see, the people who read my work know how the subject and verb are supposed to agree ("Since you(and I mean you) love NaNoWriMo and doesn't have any issues with it,...").

And lookie here, another nice quote from you: "Sarcasm and condescension will not fare well against me." Question: Am I trying to fare well against you? or ... just, ahem, "farewell" ? (that was a joke...couldn't resist...this debate IS all in fun, eh? I laugh at your posts, you laugh at mine...humor is essential)

Another jewel from our eloquent host on this thread; "Everything was chilled before you got in here. I say [said] 'I don't like to particpate [participate] and why' and here come you [you come] walking in high and mighty defending your beloved NaNoWriMo."

This thread was, as you say, "chilled" since you came in with a cold shoulder. I understand why you don't participate and I am not criticizing your view. I am, however, going to defend myself and others who participate against being criticized as codependent lemmings unable to summon the skill to produce a project without it. You've wrapped NaNo participants in a wet blanket and summarily disregarded anything that may come from the exercise. Your view is narrow-minded and unsupported. Your writing may be great; who knows? That's not the issue here. We are doing something we love, and that is writing.

And yet one more quote to which I deign to respond (yes, that's dramatic sarcasm, lol): "Me writing about the way other's write? You put more words in my mouth than number of breaths I take in a day. [ I find ] Find it funny how you're doing the same thing to me...hypocrite?" You implied that the very basis of the exercise is beneath your 'style'. I merely replied that your style is not the only one out there and that you should not criticize what you don't understand. A hypocrite is one who pretends to be something that he or she is not. I'm not sure that the term hypocrite applies to either you or me here. As far as I can tell, you have been yourself here, as have I.

Enough fun, now back to the original post and the issues therein.

The issues here are whether the National Novel Writing Month activity is worthwhile ("I'm lost in trying to understand the point in participating"), doable (" I'd like to do it but it seems improbable..."), and effective in expanding a writer's point of view as to what he/she can accomplish in 30 days ("In order to write my mood has to be exact and inspiration in full effect.") Then you asked: "Anyone else have issues with this aspect of it?" {all quotes from the original post}

I think you've received your answer: a resounding "NOPE!"


Please note that this is not a personal attack against you. I meant it when I said that your writing might be great. I don't know. I do believe that anyone who takes up pen and paper, word processor, computer, laptop or even a tape recorder, and creates something that didn't exist until that point... that person should be applauded and encouraged, not criticized or demeaned. NaNo is a month-long love affair with writing. We spend our time dreaming, thinking, scheming, gossipping about our stories and the words we choose. For thirty days we give up going to the movies; we get fast food instead of cooking; we buy out all the coffee at the grocery store, just so we can spend time with our stories and push ourselves to the limit and see what we are really capable of doing. So do I love NaNo? Heck Yeah! Do I think it's right for everyone? Heck No. I am not trying to convince anyone to participate if they don't want to, but if someone hasn't tried it... give it a shot. You've got nothing to lose and you may find out you've got more ideas than before.

I wish you well in your writing.

you're still going on about this? Do you not get enough attention away from a computer screen? Still you don't get it. I'll say it in one setence, blunt and straight forward. 'Why would people try so hard for this if they don't write the rest of the year? To people who write all year long this is just another day at the office, just a busier stretch of time.

You don't know who Sue Grafton is? Fine. You're obviously on the internet. Google it. I didn't recognise her name either. Less than one second with Google and I went "Oh. I know who that is!"

I did and sorry, no recollection there. T is for Trespass sounds delightfully lame.

Originally Posted by Jillysomething

You've got nothing to lose and you may find out you've got more ideas than before.

It's little comments like this, from you, I don't like. You talk to me as I have no ideas and through NaNo I may discover that I suddenly have ideas.

You implied that the very basis of the exercise is beneath your 'style'. I merely replied that your style is not the only one out there and that you should not criticize what you don't understand.

So I don't understand NaNo now, huh? All I said is that I'm not going to exhaust myself and take pleasure away from my life just to go into overdrive for some lame concept like this. Writing is enjoyable to me and time constraints and deadlines simply take the enjoyment out of it. I'd rather spend six months writing A NaNo book than cram it into a month. I never said it's beneath my style (again, putting words into my mouth, like before). I know more about NaNo than you know about MY style so how about YOU don't criticize what YOU don't understand.

This thread was, as you say, "chilled" since you came in with a cold shoulder. I understand why you don't participate and I am not criticizing your view. I am, however, going to defend myself and others who participate against being criticized as codependent lemmings unable to summon the skill to produce a project without it. You've wrapped NaNo participants in a wet blanket and summarily disregarded anything that may come from the exercise. Your view is narrow-minded and unsupported. Your writing may be great; who knows? That's not the issue here. We are doing something we love, and that is writing.

You should change your username to Jolly Miscontrues. I know there are people out there who only get serious about writing (I've talked to enough in my day) when NaNo is on. Talk about a waste of time and brain power. I understand there are serious authors who want a challenge but many people work at it for naught. It's not difficult to write 175 pages in a months, especially when the challenge advertises you will most likely write garbage. So 5 pages of half ass writing a day isn't too difficult for me to manage. Two hours a day and I've got it done, especially if it doesn't need to be edited, revised or even good!

My view is narrow-minded because I don't like NaNo, is what you've said every post. I haven't wrapped all the participants in a wet blanket, if anything I'm talking down the contest (or challenge) itself and not those who take part in it. If you like it, don't take my attack on something you like, personally. It's like someone got mad at me on a forum, for taking the 'ultimate star wars quiz' and not knowing what a 'nerf herder' was as I thought princess leia had always said 'nerve hurter'. They were like 'you are stupid, she says nerf' and I say 'wtf is a nerf?' and they say a 'space cow' and reply 'where does it inform you of this' and they supply me with Star Wars trading cards and 'The Essential Guide to Alien Species of Star Wars' and I'm thinking 'wow, because I'm not crazy enough to get all this hardcore Star Wars stuff I'm a retard' and I just laughed.



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.

Originally Posted by Rabid Euphoria

Writing, in my experience, isn't something I can just pick up and do and go nuts on. In order to write my mood has to be exact and inspiration in full effect. I can't turn it on...With Jobs/school I'd be wasting my attempting this.

Inspiration is as fickle as love. Sometimes it's there. Sometimes it's not. Writing a novel isn't about pretty feelings and chasing your muse. It's work, and it's fucking hard. Of course you feel drained after writing like crazy. I always do. I also rarely ever feel inspired to write. I do it anyway, thinking the whole time, "This is shit, this is shit, this is shit." But you know what? After a couple of hours sitting at a keyboard loathing myself and feeling completely uninspired, if I keep my fingers moving I have a couple thousand words pecked out.

I've never done NaNo before. But I do see the point. It's an exercise in self discipline. Write so many words a day, no matter how you feel, and watch your word count grow.

Sorry if this sounds a bit harsh. It's just that the whole inspiration excuse really bugs me. If you want to be inspired, go watch a play or listen to music or eat chocolate cake. Writing isn't about being inspired.

Lost

It's not that I look for a muse or inspiration, I passed that stage a over a year ago when I first began writing my book. Im in the end of my book and I'm being very careful in my last thirty pages so that what I've been trying to say the whole book comes across.

My point with NaNo is I need to have an idea and a general means to accomplish it. I can't simply begin writing and see how it turns out. 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.

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