I'm quitting NaNoWriMo. We're over half way in and I've only made a minute amount of progress- it's not going to happen.
I could come up with some valid, intelligent, practical excuses. For example, rushing through 50,000 words tends to lead to some pretty shitty writing. That I need to let the writing come organically, rather than forcing it. That the whole concept is amateur and laughable. But I don't believe any of that. I think that NaNoWriMo is an excellent way to light a fire under a slow-going writer's ass (like myself)- those little charts are quite motivating! What you produce during the month is never intended to be a final draft- it's a starting point. And while there may be some amateurish undertones, that's okay- we are beginners to various degrees.
So why am I withdrawing? I don't have time. Scratch that- I don't want to make time. In order to maintain pace I have to put in anywhere from 90-120 minutes a day, and then if I were to get behind at all you have to adjust. Between work obligations (normal grading, a million letters of rec, daily personal statement proofreading sessions, teaching myself to appreciate Sylvia Plath), trying to stay active so I don't blow up like a balloon (usually 75 minutes of walking a day), time with husband and friends, my new 10 pm bedtime, and everything else I like to do I just don't want to carve out additional time to write. Plus I'll have house guests for 6 days starting next Sunday, which requires juuuuust a little bit of attention as well.
I also have problems with obligations. As soon a I feel forced to do something I become resentful. It could be something I love doing, with one of my favorite people, but as soon as I feel like I can't get out of it my hackles go up ever so slightly. I can't help it. I really love the project I'm currently working on and I don't want to hate it, which I fear NaNoWriMo may provoke.
To all of you who are still plugging away- keep going! I truly think NaNoWriMo is an awesome concept and that anything that motivate writers to be productive is a positive thing. Good luck!
"I don't want to make time"
ReplyDelete"I also have problems with obligations. As soon a I feel forced to do something I become resentful."
These are exactly the same issues I am having with NaNoWriMo. If I hadn't have challenged myself on my other blog, I'd be quitting too.
I quit on the 4th day. So no blame here. ;) I just couldn't justify committing to that kind of time when I can't even blog regularly lately. Also, I felt like the story I was working on was *too* personal and I didn't want it out there.
ReplyDelete