6 Things Writers Know (and you should know before even attempting to NaNo)

Writers write. It’s a simple fact that is often ignored. I know I get sucked into talking about writing, reading about writing, writing classes, writers groups, conferences, online forums – as lovely and informative as all these things are they can not make you a writer. Only writing can.

Writers finish. That is where National Novel Writers Month (NaNoWriMo) came in for me. I’d started to write dozens of stories, but learned form this class, that group, a critique partner or four that there was a fatal flaw in chapter two and gave up the story. Well, I usually gave up because I got a new, exciting idea, but the writing flaws made for a good excuse to quit that story. NaNoWriMo taught me a valuable lesson. Writers finish. All the way to THE END and back a dozen times during the process.

Writers get rejected. Lots. Go ahead and double gulp, gasp, cry. But part of writing, finishing, and submitting is being rejected. Some people never finish because they don’t think they can handle rejection. I’m not going to lie, it stings. But it makes you a writer. So, if your goal is to be published, don’t let the fear of impending rejection stand in your way. It happens, often, and it is part of the process.

Writers make time. It’s amazing, but in the month you set aside for NaNoWriMo the dust bunnies will not stage a revolt, sunlight will still spill through your windows, someone else will manage the PTA fundraiser, you’ll wonder why no one ever told you about Bertolli frozen meals before, scrapbooking can really wait until January, and your to-be-read pile will get deeper. But in December you’ll have a drafted novel, and everyone you tell will wonder how you found the time. You don’t find it. You make it.

Writers start in the middle. It is important that you know your characters, but the reader wants to know what happens in THIS story, not the history of your heroine’s life in chapter one. Pepper in the backstory as you go, it adds suspense and keeps you interested, looking for places to wedge character depth into your scenes.

Writers don’t give up. This isn’t an easy business, but when your are writing, it is fun. But the hard parts – the rejection or tricky scenes or not wanting to write today – can make you want to throw in the towel. Don’t. Not until you finish at least one story. That high at finishing, even though you know it will take some work to edit and revise, is a bliss like no other. Writing is a solitary thing, and so is the sense of accomplishment. You deserve to soak that in. All writers do.