No, this isn't some warmed over Mork from Ork saying. This is one of the more ridiculous and interesting creative endeavors you could ever embark on. And when I say "ridiculous", I don't mean "bizarre" (although this is a bit out there). I mean you will invite the ridicule of your friends and close relations. And guess what? I'm seriously considering it.
What exactly is "it"? It's National Novel Writing Month, of course. And what is National Novel Writing Month, you ask? Well, you sign up at their website, then you write a 175 page (50,000 word) novel during the month of November. You have exactly that long to complete it. Besides an exercise in masochism (non-sexual, I can assure you!) of the extreme sort, this could be a good way to overcome writer's block and crank out that "crappy first draft" so many of those creativity experts go on and on about. I think in the case of my non-writing, internal editing, Gemini self, it could be the only way you would ever see me complete a novel. The beauty of it is, you're allowed to suck! In fact, I almost think you would have to suck to be able to pull it off. Or at least you would have to give yourself permission to suck. And when you give yourself permission to suck, you're doing a beautiful thing: you're lowering expectations and opening up the chasm for some real goodness to creep in there.
I'm about 70% sure I'm going to do this. I'm also about 50% sure I won't finish it. But if I try and only end up writing 20,000 words, that will be 19,000 words longer than my previous attempt at writing a book...
Massive hat tip in the general direction of a blog called Noodlestatic. Ed posted about this a few days ago, and it hit me to the core. I had seen a copy of NaNoWriMo dude's book at the Vandy Bookstore a couple of years ago and thought "yeah, dude, I could see me doing this". But I don't think I would have remembered in time. So thanks, Ed...
BTW - if anyone has any interest in doing this, shoot me an email. If I decide to do it, it might be good to have some other lunatics to go through it with me.
Wow, I'm not so great at non-fiction, but perhaps sometime. Right now, I think I'm doing pretty good just to read that many words a day. LOL (Thanks for your book club to motivate me.) I will seriously give it some thought next year if you survive this year and want to try again next year, remind me and I'll seriously think about it.
Posted by: Melanie | November 03, 2006 at 03:40 AM
If I had the time and brain space to do this, I would. Alas with being a college student, working a ton, and trying to move myself across the planet in a couple months, it ain't gonna happen.
I'm game to read what y'all come up with though. :)
Posted by: Kara | October 27, 2006 at 12:11 AM
I like the idea. Every writer has one good novel in them, if they ever make the time to write it. This is just the kick in the pants that some may need to get them started.
By the way, October is National Book Month and November 1 is National Authors' Day.
Posted by: Corrine aka Mama Gomer | October 26, 2006 at 06:29 PM
What if you set out to write something awful; A cheesy romance or a one- dimensional detective story where all the characters talk like Bogey? Then, even if it did suck, it would be quality product for the genre. Hmmmmm....
Posted by: MrsJason | October 26, 2006 at 07:15 AM
I would definitely encourage you to do it. I did it and finished in 2004. Last year, I started, but wasn't happy with my basic premise and gave up after about a week. This year, I'm heavy in rehearsals for a play and so I'm not going to attempt it. But it's a great experience, and I will certainly be back.
It's hard to describe the way that the creative juices start flowing once you are forced to write 3,600 words a day. Sure, a lot of what you write is junk, but then you also find your characters surprising you.
Posted by: John Carney | October 26, 2006 at 06:21 AM