Most criticisms of National Novel Writing Month revolve around the idea that it encourages people to write crap. No, it doesn’t. You’re allowed to write crap. But you don’t have to. Pay attention to that distinction.
1. Writing 50,000 words (or more) in 30 days doesn’t guarantee a pile of crap.
2. NaNo participants cover a wide range of experience and writing ability, from barely literate to professionally published.
3. Experienced writers are likely to be comfortable with writing under pressure and simultaneously writing well.
4. People participate in NaNo for different reasons, from joining a challenge, having fun, or trying your hand at your first novel, to producing a first draft to be revised and edited later.
5. The reason for participation will influence how much hard work someone is willing to put into their novel.
Statistically, 90% of anything is crap. That doesn’t prevent anyone from striving to be in the other 10%. National Novel Writing Month is one way to take the first step.
CMStewart
/ September 28, 2011My first drafts of anything are always crap. It doesn’t matter whether I take a month to write 1000 words or a month to write 50000 words. My first drafts are crapacious. Of course I try to write non-crap from the get-go, but my brain doesn’t work that way. But with NaNo I at least make myself get the first draft out of the way.
Catana
/ September 28, 2011What’s important is whether it stays crap or whether it’s just a first draft. I get the feeling that the NaNo objectors believe anything that comes out of the month is fit only for the garbage. Of course, anyone who’s in it just for the fun or to be able say they did it, will probably trash it without another thought. Another thing I hadn’t thought about much–when someone says it’s crap, are they talking about grammar, spelling, sentence structure, or do they think it’s impossible to work out a decent plot in such a limited time?
CMStewart
/ September 28, 2011“when someone says it’s crap, are they talking about”
I’m not sure what they’re talking about. Maybe all of the variables you mentioned. Too clarify my own crappiness, I’d say my first drafts have decent spelling and sentence structure, but the character depth and themes are yet lacking. I think I can write a workable plot in a month, but it takes me much longer than a month to hone and polish. Plus I tend to write scenes out of sequence, even with an outline. But purging a first draft in a month gives me 50000 novel words to work with, instead of a few paragraphs here and there as I happen to think of them. Other NaNo-er nay-sayers / yea-sayers probably have different objections / experiences.
Catana
/ September 28, 2011I may write a better first draft if I do it over two or three months or more. But I think it’s worth a minor level of crappiness to get one novel a year hammered out super quick. I’m not sure it makes much difference (if any) in how much additional work is needed when I’m in full revision/edit mode.
I’ll write out of order once in a while, but only if I’m stuck and don’t want to come to a full stop. I think that does require a lot more rewriting because when I get past the block, what I’ve written in the later chapter(s) may not fit. Sequential works best for me. Even if I know everything that’s coming up, I’d rather keep it to notes than write it out of sequence.
Amy Rose Davis
/ September 28, 2011This post = awesome. Yes, I agree 100%.
I’m hoping to do NaNo this year just to give me an excuse to try something new. I sort of want to use it as an opportunity to play in a new world that’s rolling around in my head. Sometimes, you just need that nudge or accountability to do it.
Catana
/ September 28, 2011I love the challenge of doing something new and frightening. The bigger the challenge, the better.
M. Howalt
/ October 2, 2011Well said!