By Valerie Dunn
Staff Writer
Many students claim they work better under time constraints. This excuse for procrastination often makes me wonder if the pressure of deadlines improves the quality of the work so much as the efficiency of its production.
November in particular sends fingers flying over keyboards late into the night. There are projects abound even as the semester spirals to its close. However, this month many students are attempting to churn out novels in addition to essays. These students, the mad and literary-obsessed, are the brave participants of NaNoWriMo.
Since 1999, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) challenges writers of all skill levels to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. Though this feat sounds nearly impossible, the structure of NaNoWriMo is achievable for the highly motivated.
Participants are encouraged to write approximately 1,667 words each day of November. At this pace, quantity over quality is emphasized. The organization behind NaNoWriMo assists writers by providing a highly interactive site where members can update their daily word count, participate in daily challenges, and talk with other writers through various forums.
Though NaNoWriMo revels in writing for the sake of writing, there are a few rules to the challenge. The writer must work independently. Any genre of the novel is allowed, but the writing must be a novel.
Also, all novels must begin from scratch. The motto of NaNoWriMo—Thirty days and nights of literary abandon!—inspires writers to worry less about coherence of characters and plot. Rather, NaNoWriMo exists to provide writers with an adrenaline rush, an excitement for the story instead of the technicalities.
While NaNoWriMo is widely popular with English majors, its appeal is not exclusive to creative writers. Junior Phaedra Scott, a drama and history major, has participated in NaNoWriMo for the past four years. She said, “I love NaNoWriMo because of the competition aspect of getting done 50,000 words in 30 days. It makes me write more than ever before.” Scott achieved the 50,000 word count for the first time last year. In addition to gaining a sense of pride in her ability to write under pressure, Scott said, “It’s always fun to re-read the stories over winter break.”
Though one week of November has passed, it is never too late for students to begin writing. Students interested in participating might consider a modified attempt at NaNoWriMo. Although writers must produce 50,000 words to be recognized as ‘winners’ from the NaNoWriMo organization, we should never take for granted opportunities to challenge ourselves as writers.
Pull out your pens for the month of November. If not prose, try writing a poem every day. Write a play. Blog. Revisit the journal you abandoned at the end of the summer. If nothing else, celebrate the novel with hot cocoa and a good book.
For those attempting NaNoWriMo this November, I extend my enthusiasm and wishes for your novel’s success. Now more than ever, take advantage of the many literary organizations on campus. Clubs such as Writers’ Union and the Independent Playhouse often offer opportunities to workshop creative writing.
Moreover, the Writing Center is available to discuss all types of writing, whether academic or creative. Student publications of the Collegian and the Colophon are always seeking submissions. Happy writing!