A Writer Against NaNoWriMo

[browngirl]

So, Alma A. Hromic, a writer, has written an article condemning NaNoWriMo and its participants, which can be read here: http://www.swans.com/library/art8/aah032.html

I have to admit, I was a bit worried about reactions like this one, because I have friends who write for a living, friends who have written for years and years, and I worried about seeming to trivialize their vocation and livelihood. What do people think of her take on NaNoWriMo, not least you, my friends on LJ who are writers?

Comments

[cheshyre]

I'll confess, I'm posting without really reading the anti-Nano screed, because I just saw a similar sentiment to what you're saying on rasfc the other day. [Well, whaddayaknow; when I went back to get the link, I discovered it was by the same person.]

I wish I had my copy of Lawrence Block's book on novelwriting with me, but I don't, so I'm going to paraphrase. He pointed out that many famous authors wrote several unsalable novels before getting published. Does that make those early attempts worthless? Nonsense -- as practice and training, they were probably invaluable.

Block also compares writing a novel to running a marathon (with short stories as sprints). Not everybody will break records, but that doesn't mean people shouldn't try. Often the idea of writing a complete novel is an obstacle in and of itself, so if you can do it -- even with something unsalable -- you've still broken through that barrier, which will make the next one easier.

Two quotes from the book:

"I've observed that most of the people who start first novels never finish them, and I've come to believe that actually seeing a book through to the finish line is the most important thing you can do in your first essay at the novel."

from my blog, last month

"If you've written a novel, you're already a winner. Whether you try to publish it, whether you succeed or fail in your efforts, you've run a marathon and finished on your feet. Congratulations."

from this site

I also just finished Stephen King's On Writing which seems to express similar sentiments. [He kept all his rejection letters until his first sale -- first hanging from a nail above his desk, then (when they grew too heavy) from a spike. He doesn't see those as wasted effort.]

Don't let a stranger's disapproval hold so much weight with you. You want to write it; NaNoWriMo is assisting with tools and support; Just go, girl!