I have participated in National Novel Writing Month every year for the last 3 years. Not only have I participated, but I’ve finished, writing 50,000 plus words in the month of November. It is no small feat, and one I am extremely proud of having accomplished. It is fun, it is stressful, it is challenging, it is CRAZY, but it is pretty great.
Today marks the beginning of yet another NaNoWriMo, and this year, after much thought and hard self-evaluation, I have opted not to participate.
I wish I could. I will miss being a part of this crazy community this year, trying to keep up with the daily word count requirements, struggling with writer’s block, commiserating and celebrating with my fellow writers…
But I simply cannot.
My top ten reasons why I’m not joining you crazy NaNoers this year:
1. The novel I started at last year’s NaNoWriMo? The one I KNOW is fabulous and sure to get me published? Yeah, I haven’t touched it since November 30, 2009.
2. The novel I started the year before that? The one I KNOW is fabulous and sure to get me published? Yeah, I haven’t touched that one either.
3. Until those two novels are complete, I REFUSE to start a new one. Nope, NOT going to do it.
4. I realize I could use NaNoWriMo and bend the rules a little, and focus on finishing one of those 2 novels instead of starting a new one, but then it wouldn’t really be “NaNoWriMo” the way it’s meant to be, would it?
5. I need a netbook, because my new laptop is really a HUGE desktop replacement and I’m not taking that with me ANYWHERE outside my house, and writing in my house never happens…and I don’t have a net book.
6. I have made a commitment to work on a youth retreat on Thanksgiving weekend, and the preparation for this retreat is ALL ENCOMPASSING this month, and requires my undivided attention.
7. As part of this youth retreat, I have committed to doing a witness talk, which needs to be written this week, taking priority over NaNoWriMo.
8. I work 40 hours a week, and unlike previous years, I’m actually busy at work now, lessening my available writing time during the day.
9. My social calendar, with church events, friend events, family events, and work events is insanely busy this month, and for once, I’m choosing my social life over holing up and writing.
10. I might actually be dating again…
And a bonus and perhaps the biggest reason:
11. I’m just not inspired this year.
So, although I won’t be officially signing up, unofficially, I am hoping to dedicate a little more time to writing each day. Maybe not a novel, maybe not even work on my two Works In Progress, but on my witness talk, on my blog posts, journaling, whatever it may be…that’s my commitment this month…to WRITE a little each day.
That’s the best I’ve got at this moment…
Have fun NaNoers!!! I’ll be cheering you on from the sidelines this year.
5 comments:
Good reasons!! Except the netbook one, because, really, you COULD get around that if you really tried. ; )
It does sound really interesting to me, but I know that I'm not going to have the time and commitment for that, so I'm not even going to try.
Which is what I do every year.
So I'm right on track. =p
yeah, I thought about it as you did but decided to join in and write something new. and I didn't touch my other so-called novels that I wrote during NaNoWriMo either.
good luck with finishing your two novels and have a wonderful november!
Those are very good reasons, and they are clearly not a cop-out to justify not doing it just because you don't feel like it. You are one busy lady!
Amber, lol, yes, I know the "net book" excuse is a lame one, but really, it's just because I WANT ONE and keep telling myself to wait until the Black Friday sales to buy one...so I have to keep complaining about not having one...lol
Lissa, thank you and GOOD LUCK this year, I'll be cheering you on!
Heide, thanks! Yep, busy, but happily so! ;-)
This is my first year participating in NaNoWriMo. I had never heard of it before! I also debated it because of calendar events that have to take priority, but I figure the worst that could happen is that I don't make it...
(I don't know what I would do without my netbook!)
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