As a life coach, I often offer my clients permission. Permission to take themselves more seriously. Permission to say no.
Permission to run like heck from crazy schemes that'll challenge--if not utterly decimate -- their sense of balance and well-being.
So it probably won't surprise you that I can think of a few really good reasons you should think twice before signing up for NaNoWriMo.
I'm not saying NaNoWriMo isn't right for everyone (tomorrow I'll take a look at why you may want to do it). For now, though, a few reasons why NaNoWriMo may not be the right fit for you.
1. Apples to Oranges
NaNoWriMo was created in 1999 by Chris Baty and three of his friends, Rolf Nelson, Ryan Dunsmuir, and John Sanders, in their San Francisco apartment. These friends were twentysomethings at the time, and they met daily to write and drink and shoot the breeze. ("Half literary marathon and half block party," says Baty.)
Chris and his friends didn't have much else going on.
And they weren't taking themselves very seriously.
If you're like several of the writers I've coached through NaNoWriMo, you may instead be greeted at the door by a demanding cat. A spouse or kid wanting to connect (or be fed). A reminder that your Thanksgiving holiday to be planned and shopped for and prepared.
You might even be putting a bit of pressure on yourself: "I'm really a fiction writer if I win this year" or "I'm not a real writer if I don't."
Take a deep breath.
Does NaNo's 50,000 word success criteria suit you? Take into account your personal situation, consider NaNo's origins and decide if committing to NaNoWriMo will truly support you as a writer.
If trying to meet the arbitrary word count will make you crazed with stress, take yourself too seriously or alienate your cat or family members, you probably should pass.
2. That Body of Yours
Will you follow those twentysomething guys' examples and rely on Red Bull, bourbon and mucho Doritos to power you through hours and hours of writing?
Even if you choose healthier snacks and drinks, my guess is that, come December 1st, your body will show some wear and tear.
If so, how will you feel as you face the holidays?
- A little on the flabby side?
- Exhausted as heck?
Consider whether you'll be able to regroup and recover before January 1, 2011 rolls around. (Because no one likes to start the new year feeling icky if they can help it.)
Besides nutrition and exercise, you also need to consider whether you're susceptible to repetitive strain injuries or carpal tunnel syndrome.
If writing and typing for long periods of time strains your body, think through carefully whether this month-long exercise is worth compromising your long-term health. Say no to NaNo. Or get your voice recognition software up and running so you can work in a way that works for you.
3. Process or Product?
Chris Baty talks honestly about the original NaNo writers' motivations that first year:
"[W]e wanted to write novels for the same dumb reasons twentysomethings start bands. Because we wanted to make noise. Because we didn't have anything better to do. And because we thought that, as novelists, we would have an easier time getting dates than we did as non-novelists."
Are you in the same playful state of mind? If so, sharpen your pencils and charge your laptop battery. NaNo may be a no-brainer for you.
But take a moment to consider what your prose writing really needs the most.
- Would you benefit most from focussing on process for now? If so, NaNo might be a terrific way to divorce your inner critic for the month.
- Or, do you most need to improve your story structure, character development, plotting or scene writing skills? If so, imagine where you'd be in a month's time if you devoted even half the time you'll spend on NaNo to working through a fine fiction resource like Janet Burroway's classic, Writing Fiction: a Narrative Craft or Jordan Rosenfeld's Making a Scene.
Life is short (the wise ones say it's so). What's the very best way for you to improve your writing in the next 30 days?
Dare to Do What's Best for You
I hope you'll think carefully about NaNo before you commit. If you're ready for the challenge, here's wishing you luck, good humor and stamina. If not, here's a healthy helping of permission to say "No thanks, not this year."
Dare to do what's best for you.
----
image credit: E-Magic (Flickr)
p.s. - The above links aren't Amazon affiliate links. I promise to let you know clearly if and when I use them in the future.
----
What do you think? Come November 1st, will you or won't you NaNoWriMo?
My one and only reason for signing up for NaNo is because I need to make myself power through a first draft without running back over (and over, and over) the first thousand or so words. My inner editor is one pushy dude. I'm going to try and force a holiday on him.
Posted by: Cinette | October 29, 2010 at 04:58 PM
@Louise, thanks for commenting. I've been enjoying your work over at ThoughtsHappen.
@Beth, I think you're right on track. As I re-read this post, I realize I've been rather "all-or-nothing" (something I caution clients against all the time). You're absolutely right: it doesn't have to be either-or at all. Your plan -- to participate with the community, take action on your dream and define the goal to suit you -- is a wonderful strategy, just perfect.
Hope you'll stop by again & let us know how it's going!
Posted by: Coach Marla -The Relaxed Writer | October 29, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Interesting points, and advice well taken. I'm setting the goal to TRY NaNoWriMo, and to shoot for writing an hour a day. I know this will not produce 50,000 words in 30 days, but it is an achievable goal as I must also juggle the needs of family, household, and 2 small children as well. My feeling is that it is a kick in the pants that I need to quiet that little voice that tells me I'll never finish anything. :)
Posted by: Beth G | October 29, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Excellent post, Marla. Thanks for giving permission to say, "No" to a shoe that doesn't fit every writer.
Posted by: Louise | October 29, 2010 at 07:44 AM