Nano, Nano....
*Crossposted from Rupert Murdoch's space...*
It’s that time of year again...
I didn't think i was going to do this again, but I have been persuaded to once more take on the National Novel Writing Month challenge-- 50,000 words in 30 days.
I was completely appalled with what I wrote last year, although in hindsight it at least has a great deal of um, plot. And just the experience of plowing through and continuing to write was, well, character building. I'm making it sound like so much fun, aren't I?
I was persuaded to try again, however, because there is a project I have been thinking about for a while. It is, in fact, what I considered doing last year, but rejected as an idea because it seemed too serious and solemn a thing-- I cared too much about it-- to risk approaching in such a breakneck manner.
Well, screw it, I'm doing it this year. And although I am going to feel somewhat embarassed if I don't make the 50,000 word mark, I don't mind admitting that this year I am more interested in actually writing something that I like and want to continue building on after November. Which is scary, since last year I didn't think i gave a shit. Except of course I did. Maybe I'm just being more honest this year.
Anyway, I found these words of inspiration, thought I'd pass them along. I found them strangely comforting because, well, no matter what Terry Pratchett says, writing is not always "the most fun you can have by yourself." That , my friends, requires a pint of Ben and Jerry's chocolate fudge brownie ice cream.
---
"I typically begin the first session of a workshop series with the unerring wisdom of writer Gene Fowler: "Writing is easy, all you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper 'til drops of blood form on your forehead." It sets a kind of tone. Besides, I like to get the truth out on the table from the start. OK, I continue, you're going to have fun in this workshop, you'll learn some useful things about writing, you'll meet some nice like-minded people, but, most important, you'll suffer."
-Carol Lachapelle
It’s that time of year again...
I didn't think i was going to do this again, but I have been persuaded to once more take on the National Novel Writing Month challenge-- 50,000 words in 30 days.
I was completely appalled with what I wrote last year, although in hindsight it at least has a great deal of um, plot. And just the experience of plowing through and continuing to write was, well, character building. I'm making it sound like so much fun, aren't I?
I was persuaded to try again, however, because there is a project I have been thinking about for a while. It is, in fact, what I considered doing last year, but rejected as an idea because it seemed too serious and solemn a thing-- I cared too much about it-- to risk approaching in such a breakneck manner.
Well, screw it, I'm doing it this year. And although I am going to feel somewhat embarassed if I don't make the 50,000 word mark, I don't mind admitting that this year I am more interested in actually writing something that I like and want to continue building on after November. Which is scary, since last year I didn't think i gave a shit. Except of course I did. Maybe I'm just being more honest this year.
Anyway, I found these words of inspiration, thought I'd pass them along. I found them strangely comforting because, well, no matter what Terry Pratchett says, writing is not always "the most fun you can have by yourself." That , my friends, requires a pint of Ben and Jerry's chocolate fudge brownie ice cream.
---
"I typically begin the first session of a workshop series with the unerring wisdom of writer Gene Fowler: "Writing is easy, all you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper 'til drops of blood form on your forehead." It sets a kind of tone. Besides, I like to get the truth out on the table from the start. OK, I continue, you're going to have fun in this workshop, you'll learn some useful things about writing, you'll meet some nice like-minded people, but, most important, you'll suffer."
-Carol Lachapelle