What kind of masochist thinks they can write a novel in 30 days? I asked myself this every November when people across the world would commit to National Novel Writing Month. Now, I am one of them, banging my head against my laptop each evening as I try to get in my daily 1,600 words.
In light of the Daily Bruin’s Book Week and its recent coverage of a group of UCLA students who meet at Café 451 to write novels for NaNoWriMo, I thought I would share my experience as a first-year “Wrimo.”
Wednesday marks the halfway point of NaNoWriMo, and so far my main character’s back story has changed five times, my narrative voice has switched from third person to first and back again, and I forgot my protagonist’s original sidekick somewhere around word 2,000. I might go rescue them eventually, but for now it’s all OK. While that might anger your inner editor/perfectionist/high school English teacher, NaNoWriMo is the one time you are instructed to completely let go of making edits as you write.
And that is what has made this experience so fun. Aside from my daily word count, there is no pressure on my story. No one has to ever read what I write. No teacher will tell me my female lead is boring or that my verbs are lame and hanging out with too many adverbs. I can write a random scene with no sense of where it will fit into the grander plot just because I want to. And no one will have the right or the opportunity to accuse me of self-insertion. Sure, my main character is lost after graduation when the Los Angeles Times can’t afford to employ her, forced into a job at a celebrity news show (which she accidentally shuts down with the telling of a controversial story) and becomes a private investigator to pay the bills. And yes, I was a huge fan of Sammy Keyes when I was younger.
I have learned a lot about myself, writing, story, characters and the power of coffee over the last two weeks. Here are some of the tips I think every person who considers participating in NaNoWriMo should know:
1. Always look ahead. All the red squiggly lines and memories of that character you haven’t mentioned since chapter two will just make you break out in hives. No use revisiting them until December ““ unless you need a good laugh.
2. Chuck a character, a plot, a back story or anything else that’s not working. If it will help you move forward, than do it. Just don’t go back and take them out until December.
3. Grab a friend. Virtual or real friends will share your pain, delirium and even delight when something clicks. I’ve been following @NaNoWordSprints on Twitter for motivation.
4. Embrace it. Visit the forums, learn the culture surrounding NaNoWriMo and make it your No. 1 commitment for one month. You can’t just stick your toe in and claim you’re doing NaNoWriMo. It takes a cannonball to guarantee you’re committed and in over your head for the next 30 days.
While the novelty has begun to ebb, I still have that original seed of excitement. I’m writing a novel. I’ve always said I wanted to do that and now I am halfway there. And if I’m a few hundred words short come Nov. 30, this blog post just might make it into the final word count.