This post, from Jodi Cleghorn, originally appeared on her Writing in Black and White blog on 10/7/09. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, which takes place annually in November.
Knowing what you love about NaNoWriMo and always being able to remind yourself of those seductive elements, is possibly the difference between finishing NaNo and getting your winners badge, or committing yourself to the wayside and another lost opportunity.
I learnt this important lesson, of focusing on what you love from my dear friend Dan Sinclair (aka Mama Magic). She wasn’t actually writing about NaNo when she imparted her wisdom, but about mothering. All too often (and I am one who falls into this trap) we can focus on what we hate, what we struggle with, what bogs us down, what we just don’t and can’t love enough or at all. It’s no wonder we get caught in all types of negative circular thinking. If instead we look to and cultivate the things we love and enjoy, AND have them at the ready, we really can get through any crisis or low point. Or even better, we can create environments, both internal and external, where we don’t end up having to deal with a crisis or low point.
So I thought it would be a good idea to suss out what it is I love about NaNo in the lead in, to get a psychological jump start on November. Then if the going gets tough, as it will undoubtedly do at some stage, there will be a point of reference to return to and refresh myself on why I chose this somewhat crazy path (again!)
These are the ten dot points I came up with and over the next few days I will explore them in more detail.
- It’s all about writing fiction
- It gives me an opportunity to truly get lost
- It provides me with a continuing story
Read the rest of the post, which includes her dot points #4-10, on Jodi Cleghorn’s Writing in Black and White blog.