Tuesday 6 December 2016

NaNo Winning

I try not to blow my own trumpet but sometimes it has to be done.
After several years of trying I finally won at NaNo! I wrote 50,000 words in November and that is so much more than I've ever managed before. I am mostly happy with what I've written - I know, there will be flaws to discover when I edit but so far, so good. I feel really proud of myself and that's not a feeling I have often.

So what have I learned from all this? The most important thing that I learned was that I can do it. I can sit and write for a few hours; I can put words on the computer and do it all again the next day; I can write and most of what I write is good. There, I said it, I can write well and it's something I enjoy doing. This is a big thing for me so it feels right to celebrate it here.

I also learned that I can write in a genre that is not the one I usually choose. The NaNo novel is a fantasy type novel which is something I have read before but never tried to write. I'm not sure I will write only fantasy from now on but it is interesting to do something different. And maybe that is why I won this time because I was doing something outside my comfort zone and it just seemed to flow.

The last thing I learned is that I want to get better and do more writing. I've always felt a little guilty at putting time aside to write - there's always something else I 'should' be doing, right?  Well now I've decided not to bother with the guilt! I'm a writer so I have to spend time writing. It's not a waste of time, it's what I have to do.

So as the year draws to a close I am still writing the NaNo novel and I intend to complete it. So at some stage I'll start worrying about whether it's any good, how do I edit it etc. Join me on that ride in 2017!

I'm sharing this on What I'm Writing.

12 comments:

  1. Many congratulations. I "won" last year and it nearly broke me so I understand what it takes. I also feel guilty about finding time to write for fun. Good for you for going for it.

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  2. Yay good for you! Nano is such a motivator isn't it? Did you finish the story? I'm still going, though I've slowed down a bit in the last week. Not far off the finish line though.

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  3. That's such awesome news Jo, blow away, you should be so very proud of yourself lovely. Look forward to hearing more :-) #whatimwriting

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    1. Thank you! I am proud, which is a strange emotion for me... but I'm embracing it.

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  4. Hooray, that's brilliant news - well done you! It's fab to hear not only that you won Nano but also that you have a new confidence in your own abilities as a writer and a commitment to allowing yourself more time to write. The only way is up! Thanks for linking to #WhatImWriting xx

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    1. Cheers Maddy! I can't believe how good it's made me feel and yes, I do feel more confident.

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  5. Well done you! Amazing progress. I am envious but so glad for you. It just goes to show what getting on with it can do. Hope it is all still flowing from the fingertips. xx

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    1. Thank you Alice. Writing is still going well and I'm loving it!

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  6. Congratulations! Such a great achievement - and sounds like as well as getting those 50,000 words down you've really turned a corner in your confidence as a writer, which is awesome. I look forward to following the next stage on your journey! xx

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    1. Thanks Sophie! I'm still basking in the golden glow of success; better get some more writing done soon I think!

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  7. That is brilliant! Well done Johanne. I have to say that I felt I got better each day of NaPoWriMo. Practice makes perfect I guess :) Sorry I am late with commenting. #WhatImWriting

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    1. Thanks for commenting Vic! I must check out NaPoWriMo next year. I agree that the practise and discipline of writing each day is so helpful.

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