I have been doing nanowrimo for the past two years. I can now say that I have written a novel twice over. As any nano'er can tell you, there is something amazing about giving yourself the freedom to write for quantity of words rather than quality. November is a magic time but once it is over, reality sets in. To complete a novel, you must actually make sure it is worthwhile for others to read.
I am afraid of becoming a trunk writer. Okay, I can assure myself that I will be a hard drive writer being as I lack the literal trunk. The fear still lives. For the past year, I have been sitting on a draft of a novel. My mom, dad and best friend have all read it and given varied levels of feedback. I have enrolled in two separate classes to help me polish the manuscript. I still haven't sent a single query letter. To say that Ralph Keyes' The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear struck a chord with me would be a understatement.
In the book, Keyes outlines the fear and anxiety shared by writers at all levels through comforting and reassuring anecdotes from some of the greatest writers in history. Every writer has to deal with fear and every page published is done in spite of that insecurity.
I recommend it to any writer. Somehow reading about the insecurities and failures of fellow writers simultaneously validates and negates the deepest fears of a writer.
Good review. Quick and succinct, I like it.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like a must for someone who plans on pushing out more novels for NaNoWriMo in the future/ someone who would like to get motivated to do something more with their novels that they've already written.
I totally understand your insecurity and fear as well because I've pretty much ignored my two novels - all but refusing to finish them because I am terrified of what would have to come next. Beyond the fact that the editing process totally scares the crap out of me, there is this whole other part of it that what if you do complete the editing process and hand it over only to have it shoved back in your face by someone saying, "this is the worst thing i've ever read."
What makes this even more my worst nightmare is that writing for me is such a personal process. It's such an outpouring of thoughts and ideas and it's quite terrifying to think someone might really think these parts of you suck.
I should send you my copy of the book, if only because it might inspire you to finish your nano2008. I need to know what happens!
ReplyDeleteThe current ending is like stopping in the middle of a season of Lost- I care about the characters, I just don't know what the hell is going on!
Unless you can send me a hardy kick to the pants, don't get in a rush (although I will be reading that book sometime in the future as I think it's a must).
ReplyDeleteI've realized I have a hard time finishing things. Crochet projects. Sewing projects. Writing novels. The small bit of my brain that is creative has ADD too, I think.