What is Nano Really About?
6:00 AM
As writers, we tend to get really attached to our books. I think all artists get attached to their works. A painter (probably) has a deep connection to their paintings, just like a musician finds meaning in all their pieces.
Since we are so deeply connected to our artistic works, it's easy to get 1) obsessed, 2) defensive/over-protective, 3) overly attached, 4) deeply emotionally invested, and lots of other similar things.
(Hey, it's the end of nano. My words are in short supply. Cut me some slack.) XP
So here a lot of us are, nearing the end of nano. And that big question looms.
Will I hit 50k?
It's the Big Question, after all. It's what we've all been working towards all month ... right?
If you haven't hit this number yet, you might be experiencing some doubts and fears that you won't reach it. And that will somehow make you ... a failure at writing.
After all, this goal has been set. When we don't reach a goal, we fail.
...right?
Guys, I hope you don't think this. I've probably said this before, but I'm going to say it again.
We are creating art here. And we're not all going to do it the same way.
The goal of this month, the goal of NaNoWriMo itself, is NOT TO HIT 50K.
The goal is to get you to write.
The goal is to get you to think about writing. To try to find time this month to dedicate to your novel. How you do that is up to you. How much time you spend is your choice personally. Some have more time to dedicate to writing than others.
And that's okay. That's just how life works.
If you're not at 50k yet, don't despair. You still have time to punch out the words and hit that mark. And even if you don't hit that 50k, even if you've only written 100 words this month, you still wrote.
And that makes you a winner. Because this month is not about 50k. This month is about working on our stories. Our art. What we love.
Don't let yourself get down in the dumps if you didn't write as much as everyone else did. Where would be the fun in that, if we all wrote the same?
So spent these last few days of November how you will. Write when you can, and write what you love. Have fun. Enjoy yourself. Whether you write it all this month or not, if you put your mind to it this book will get written eventually. So keep writing, nano or not. Have confidence in who you are and what you do.
Do what you love, and do it boldly.
Have you hit 50k for nano? If not, do you have another goal in mind? Are you struggling with your word count, or are you feeling okay / good about it? If you need some encouragement, I'll try to respond to your comments on Sunday! (I'm gone all day today and for most of Sunday though, but I'd love to chat with you guys)
<3
19 comments
Lovely post! This NaNo has been amazing for me cos I've really pushed myself...AND it looks like I'll be hitting that 50k after all ;)
ReplyDeleteAhhhh I'm so happy for you! Pushing yourself is such a good and exciting thing! <3
DeleteAck, I needed this post, since... I have not hit 50k. I'm getting close, I'm barely staying on par, but life and school are going to hit hard again soon, in the last days of NaNo. So I've been stressing about getting ahead of par. But I know that's not the true goal, and I should be happy that I've written so many words. :)
ReplyDeleteAwww *hugs* Set a smaller, more doable goal if you can! Maybe 40k? Or 45k? Setting a goal you know is a challenge, but doable, would be my best advice since it'll give you something to work towards and that thrill of accomplishment when you reach it <3
DeleteThank you for this reminder! I think I did get too intense with nano at times, which sapped the fun at the end a bit.
ReplyDeleteBut you're correct: nano is to write, not to hit 50k. It's fun, not competition. And in the end, we're all painters of stories creating something unique and amazing.
<3
Ahhh such beautiful wordage *heart eyes* You are very right. Intensity is not bad, but it does have a tendency to sap fun if you're not careful.
DeleteThanks for this wonderful reminder, Hannah! It's so true! It's so easy to get focused on the number and not see all you have been able to accomplish!
ReplyDeleteI did hit 50K and I manged to finish my novel,though just barley. ;)
Ahhh that's so exciting! *high fives* As of now, I'm struggling to finish my novel ... I'm not sure how I'll feel if I don't do it before Thursday, but I'll probably need to follow my own advice XP Congrats on finishing! <3
DeleteThis is such a great reminder! I don't know that I'm going to hit 50K, but I'm okay with that. I've gotten so much further in than I thought that I would, and I'm happy about that. :)
ReplyDeleteAhhh yesyesyes YOU ARE AN AMAZING BEAN. *high fives* 50k is not for everyone, and the fact that you made it further than you thought you would is amazing and means you did what you could and rocked it! 50k is not for everyone, after all. We must modify a bit! <3 <3 <3
DeleteWow. Even as someone who is not busily upping my word count daily for NaNo...this post was a wonderful reminder to me as I just write in my leisure time. Thank you so much!!! <333
ReplyDeleteThank /you/ :)
Delete*fistbump* I'm about to 30k which was my goal for this crazy busy month--my book is like..almost 80k now and not done yet. xP LETS JUST FINISH THIS THING. lolol. I loved this post--it's so true. It's not about reaching 50k, it's about getting stuff written and down on the page. thx for this. <33
ReplyDeletesarah » the introverted extrovert
ahhhh YAY! *high fives* 30k is amazinggg! I hope you finish it! <3
DeleteOk...so I has a love/relationship with this post...because ITS SO FABULOUS AND INSPIRING but it inspired me to finish out NaNo and write 30k in the last four days...Like I was shooting for 90k but now I think I'm going to be insane and if I don't make it, I won't be upset. <3
ReplyDeleteOh dear XP I've got either 15 or 20k to write in these next three days and I too, feel like I'll go insane if I don't hit it XP I'LL BE PRAYING FOR BOTH OF US. WE GOT THIS. And if we don't, well ... At least we wrote most of it! :D
Delete"Do what you love, and do it boldly."
ReplyDeleteHannahhh I just have so much love for you and your words and they never fail to inspire me. You are amazing. <3
Merrrr <3 Youuuu are amazing and I love you so much <3 <3 <3 *aggressively cannot wait to read your next story*
DeleteACK WELL GUESS WHO NEEDED THIS. No psshtt of course not me whatever made you think that. Ahem. I'm only at like 38k right now though so this was SUPER GOOD. Although I'm still pushing to the end. I WILL DIE TRYING TO FINISH XD
ReplyDeleteComments bring us happiness and warm fuzzies, so please share your thoughts! Stan and I want everyone to be welcome, so we ask that you be kind and courteous and use nice language.