As we all get ready to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, we need a bit of motivation to remind us what our end goal is - publication.
Yes, a lot of us write because we love it. We write because, if we don't, those characters aren't going to let us sleep. They'll follow us around, beating us over the head with their problems until we agree to tell the world their story.
But, ultimately, every writer wants to be published. The books in this blog post did two things for me:
- They showed me what awesome storytelling and creative narrative looks like
- When reading about the authors (because the books were so good, I hit Google as soon as I finished), I realised NaNoWriMo was a method that WORKS.
1. The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern
This book is on most successful NaNoWriMo lists, and for good reason. Erin Morgenstern's writing journey is something to be admired. Persistent and dedicated throughout, she didn't rest until this story was perfect - and it is.
I first found this book, not on a NaNoWriMo list, but on a list of books Harry Potter fans would love. Steadily, Erin Morgenstern builds a story and a world of mystery, magic, intrigue, and love. The way she tied everything together was both glorious and poetic.
2. Into The Darkest Corner - Elizabeth Haynes
I read this book years ago, and it stayed with me. Its interesting narrative inspired me as each timeline weaved seamlessly together. Both gripping and emotional, it did what all good novels should; it showed me an experience outside my own and helped me understand a question that had plagued me for years - why does a woman stay in a toxic and abusive relationship?
The best part? This masterpiece was another NaNoWriMo success story.
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| Image Credit: Amazon Buy your copy here |
Lessons Learnt
After falling in love with these two books, I hit Google and read as many author interviews as I could. Here is is what I learnt:
It won't be perfect first time
Don't expect to have a masterpiece by December 1st. Expect to edit and rewrite. Then edit and rewrite again... and maybe again. NaNoWriMo won't give you your completed novel, but it catapults you closer to that end product. The hardest part truly is that first draft - having something to mould and work with is better than having a blank page and a million ideas fighting for the spotlight.
The journey may be long but it's worth it
As you edit, rewrite, query, revise, etc, the journey will feel long. Really long. With long journeys come frustration, but don't lose faith! You're on the road to becoming a published author - enjoy every excruciating second of it!
No writing is wasted
Let's be honest - none of us know exactly how many unfinished pieces we have scattered across notebooks and hard drives. Adding to that number with a NaNo sprint can seem pointless, but don't give in! Every single word you write is part of your creativity exploration; you're finding your voice and style; you're seeing what works and what doesn't; you're stretching those writing muscles and strengthening your imagination and creativity.
I repeat: No writing is wasted.
Be open to rewrites, but trust your gut
Once you start querying, agents and publishers may offer changes and suggestions. This will be hard to hear - that manuscript is your baby! You spent ages making sure it was as perfect as humanely possible! However - changes can be good. These people know the publishing business and they know their stuff.Having said that, don't compromise the soul of your book. Trust that gut, and if a fancy man in a suit is trying to turn your novel into something you're not comfortable with, just say NO.
Don't be afraid to be different
There are a lot of Dos and Don'ts when it comes to writing ("Don't use a passive voice", "Do keep your narrative consistent"), and some of these rules should be adhered to. But NaNoWriMo is about being creative and exploring your novel. So don't be afraid to break away from convention and throw that rulebook out of the window!
Let go and be creative!
The best way to succeed at NaNoWriMo is to chain and gag your inner critic for the entire month. Your inner critic sucks at creativity and they are paranoid about everything. You don't need that kind of energy right now. So, let go of all those self-doubts and just keep writing...
Which books and authors teach you valuable lessons about writing?
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