For the past four years of my life, November has been synonymous with “NaNoWriMo”, aka National Novel Writing Month, a non-profit organisation that runs an annual internet-based creative writing project. While the organisation has other projects, it is mostly known for this one. The challenge has been going for more than a decade with thousands of people participating from all around the world.
Participants are asked to write 50,000 words of a new novel during the calendar month. Whether you are writing a novel, part of a novel or just disjointed ramblings, the aim is to get people to take that first step, and the challenge itself serves as an incentive to finally get your creative juices flowing.
Additionally, participants are asked to refrain from editing or proofreading their work until the end of the month. The idea is that most of the time getting your thoughts down on paper is the hardest part, and editing can be done later once you’ve overcome writer’s block, procrastination and any other excuse that you’ve been using to put off your masterpiece. The rules are simple: novels can be on any theme, in any format and in any language. As the website’s FAQ states: “If you believe you’re writing a novel, we believe you’re writing a novel too.”
While many detractors will argue that 50,000 words does not constitute a long novel, it passes the 40,000 threshold that some experts say distinguishes a novella from a novel. Besides, the whole point is that what you produce is just a draft, and from there it can turn into anything.
Anyone who reaches the word count is a winner. While there is no actual prize for doing so, one self-publishing company offers winners paperback copies of their finished manuscripts and an option to use this draft to sell their work online.
What is so appealing to me about NaNoWriMo is the no-pressure approach of the competition. The slogan that participants adopt is: “Thirty days and nights of literary abandon! No Plot? No Problem!” This comes in handy when you realise that to finish you need to write approximately 1,667 words a day.
It makes you learn to be very resourceful because every word counts. Efficiency, directness and simplicity are your worst enemies. Contractions be damned. Suddenly flowery adjectives and long-winded descriptions and tangents become your best friends. Just remember, December is for editing and try not to look back. This is exactly where I have failed again and again.
Unlike many people who I have encouraged to join the challenge, I have yet to complete 50,000 words in a calendar month. I cannot get myself to leave the editing to later. But I am determined this year, despite all my other obligations, to win and to get as many people I know to give it a try.
Many people argue against NaNoWriMo because they believe writing just for a word count ensures that you produce rubbish, and no actual novels will come from it.
In reality, many NaNoWriMo novels have gone on to be published. New York Times bestseller Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen was a NaNoWriMo novel and was even adapted into a film staring Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz and Robert Pattinson in 2011.
As someone who enjoys writing creatively, I have constantly heard the wisdom “write a little every day”. To me, in just the same way as we train our bodies to get fit to run a marathon, practising to write every day for NaNoWriMo could be just what you need in order to start your story or script or even just writing for yourself to hone your skills. It could also just be a great way to get involved with a creative community and make some new friends. Many participants organise local meet ups and workshops.
Whatever you choose to write, be it memoir, nonfiction, script or fanfiction (that is, apparently, a legitimate premise for novels and movies nowadays) why not dedicate 30 days to speed writing and join the army of aspiring authors as they resist the urge to edit, distractions, and pretty much almost everything else in life as they rush to meet their deadline?
As long as you remember to not take yourself too seriously and enjoy the process, who knows what you will end up producing? If anything, this could provide you with a little break from routine, and allow you to indulge the infinite possibilities of your imagination.
Fatima Al Shamsi is an Emirati who recently returned from New York City after pursuing a master’s degree in Global Affairs at New York University
