But enough about me. Apparently there are some issues with NaNo. Ones I wasn't totally aware of until I joined the huge group of writers participating.
According to what I've learned this is the purpose of NaNo:
Write blindly. Write without cause. Just write. Quality doesn't matter, just get those words down on paper, peeps!
Now, does anyone see a problem with that?
Well, when I started, I didn't see a problem with it because I'm realistic. I know that end of my thirty days of mad-dash writing, I'm going to have a hot mess of a story that will take me months to finish completely (finish, edit, fix plots holes, characters, etc).
In this instance, I will call myself "experienced" in the world of writing. (ONLY in this instance--lol). Before diving head first into NaNo, I researched, I developed a plot, and I outlined. Okay, I didn't outline because I'm totally a panster. But the point is, I PLANNED. And I STILL know I will have a hot mess when I'm done. A hot mess that will need work.
This knowledge and work I know I have coming to me in the end of this mad-dash of writing separates me from some of the NaNo writers. According to what I've read, some people actually QUERY the the book they wrote for NaNo in December. IN DECEMBER!!
*scratches head*
*laughs*
Really? People do that?
WHY??
Scott Eagan, literary agent, did a post on this Monday. Find out what he had to say about those December queries for NaNo books here. The comments are great, too. Make sure to check it out.
I think NaNo is a good tool for getting us off our butts and writing again. People like me, who haven't written in a year, need that extra push to get something done. However, when completing NaNo, it's important that you be realistic. Understand that the book you write in November will be in no way, shape, or form, ready for querying in December. Honestly, if you query that book, you are doing a disservice to yourself and you are irritating agents around the globe. Just don't.
~JD
12 comments:
I agree! I can't believe anyone would query a first draft. My first drafts are beyond dreadful. I think NaNo is good for creating the habit of writing. But quality writing? Not so much.
All first drafts are bad, no matter when written or how long they take to write. You just cannot create a polished, finished work in one draft that will not have continuity errors, typos, and other literary 'disasters'. So I don't think it's the time limit that is the problem, necessarily just that all first drafts have issues.
Not all Wrimos settle for 'writing crap'. I know I don't.
NaNo works for some but not for other people and that's totally cool- I say if you're not enjoying it then you can always rethink finishing and drop out! Life it too short to put yourself through something like NaNo to the end just because you started it. If it's not working for you, then you can use the time in a way that is more satisfying and productive to you personally as a writer.
Whatever works for you to get the quality of words down that you want- that's the method you should go with!
~bru
I learned a lot about writing the first time I did NaNo. It was eye-opening and refreshing to truly shut down my interior editor and just let the words out. But, here's the thing. 50k words is only half a first draft, the way I write. From the bucket of NaNo-vomit I was left with, the job of finishing the draft was daunting. Impossible, actually. This time I'm more prepared. Like you, I outlined and researched before Nov. 1st. And I'm trying to write a good, solid draft, one I can actually revise and polish. And if I can't get that draft done in 30 days, then so be it. This time around, I have no NaNo-pride about "winning." Winning, for me, will be finishing the MS, not finishing it in a month.
Good luck with your story!
Ironically my guest post last Friday was on this very subject. NaNo novels can rock, but like any other manuscript, it takes time to edit the mess. I wrote my next book last year during NaNo and I wasn't ready to send it to my publisher until this past June.
Haha, my first drafts are ALWAYS hot messes, no matter how much time I take with them! I can't believe someone would query that!
My first drafts are always pants. Stinky smelly pants. I would never dream of sending first drafts to anyone not even my mother! LOL!
Take care
x
No book should EVER be queried days after completing the first draft. *shudder*
From my viewpoint, NaNo is just one of the most elaborate writing exercises EVER! :)
Oh gosh! It never dawned on me there are people who turn around and submit in December...yikes!
Another really, really good thing about being a Wrimo -- you have to force your internal editor to shut down long enough to write in order to get that story done on time. I wrote a marvelous story as a Wrimo a couple of years ago. NOW I am serious about getting it re-worked, polished, etc. when it is soup (finished), I shall query.
Congratulations, Justine, on sticking with it. I loved it, but now have too many pans on the stove to do it this year.
Yes, I've heard about people who query Nano books right away in December. Personally, I don't do Nano, but I'm almost ready to query and I'm going to wait until January. I figure agents will be getting a ton of Nano slush, and some may even be closed for holidays anyway.
My goodness. Querying in December? I want to meet these writers. See if some of their magic writing dust will rub off on me :D There is NO WAY my NaNo project is going to be remotely ready for at least a few months. I made the mistake of not really outlining anything and it truly is a hot mess. Good luck!
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