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hjfsdh2222
Nov '18
1

So it’s time I accept my failure.

It’s day 12 and I have less than 3000 words.
Part of it was, I have been way too busy with school and art stuff (got my portfolio reviewed for the first time!) So I haven’t written for like a week. Then for the days that I did write, I could only secure like a half hour to write.
And also, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME WRITING!! I have never even written a short story. I just dove right into this. I definitely can’t write fast, it takes me a while to come up with anything to say. I have a problem with trying to write things too concisely. What I’m trying to say is, this is way harder than I thought. I have a new respect for y’all. I have always thought I sucked at writing and yet been good at it in a weird way? I guess what I’m trying to say is I can make a nice finish product but how I get there fucking hurts me. Hell, I don’t even read that often.

This especially sucks for me since I am not used to failure.

So... help?

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daeofthepast
Nov '18

hmm, maybe it would help having a smaller writing goal for next time?? failing something sucks for sure, but always remember that this doesn't make you a failure :0

spicy_sweets
Nov '18

Ya, you can join Camp nano instead, or not go for the 50k route.
That's what I'm doing―only aiming for productivity. c:

Geek_Aflame
Nov '18

I just thought, I'd post and tell you not to give up on writing or your story, it sounds interesting. NaNoWriMo is a huge undertaking even for experienced writers. I've done NaNo every year since 2013 and it's still a challenge, I didn't reach 50,000 words last year.

The best advice, I've been given regarding NaNo is, it's a competition with yourself. Forget the final goal and write to beat a personal best. Even participating is an achievement. Posting your story online for people to read is a huge achievement. The hardest thing, I've learnt as a writer is to stop comparing myself to other people, to focus on bettering myself, to beat my own personal bests. It's okay if you don't get the 50,000 words because, just by participating you've taken the first steps towards developing a writing habit, and that's half the point of the challenge. The best advice, I've heard from successful novelists is the importance of developing a daily writing habit. Write as often as you can and make the words come to you, don't wait for them.

The best thing a NaNoWriMo participant can do is find a copy of the book No plot? No problem! by Chris Baty. Chris Baty founded NaNoWriMo, and I don't think I would have made it through my first Nano without the techniques and advice in that book. Another good writing book, that's helped me a lot is Stephen King's, On Writing. It's part memoir, part writing advice book, you don't even have read any of his books to understand it.

Good Luck :slight_smile:

Penni
Nov '18

Taking on NaNoWriMo is a huge undertaking even for seasoned writers! Don't feel bad for not reaching the goal (I didn't even try :sweat_smile:) I agree with everyone. Start small and focus on what works for you :slight_smile: and most importantly, don't give up.

ForLackOfStars
Nov '18

I wrote an 80,000 word novel and brought it through four separate drafts over the course of years, yet I have never come close to completing Nanowrimo. Nanowrimo is hard. Not making the goals is super frustrating frustrating though, I know (Source: Am currently not meeting my Nanowrimo goals).

Remember that Nanowrimo can end up being hyper-focused on word count. Just because you're not hitting your word counts does not mean you are not a productive or creative person. Good writing takes time, and sometimes life gets in the way. Especially when you are in school, seriously. My writing productivity was awful when I was in school.

Write at a pace that works for you and makes you happy. It's good to push yourself to write as much as you can, but not to the point that thinking about writing makes you unhappy or stressed.

I hope this helps, and congratulations on your first time writing! That's a victory you should be proud of. Also for what it's worth, I would not have guessed that it was your first time writing just by glancing at the first couple paragraphs of your work. :slight_smile:

darkone4587
Nov '18

I think almost everyone fails, but it's not about the failure it's about the attempt. Trying your hardest to accomplish a goal and trying your hardest at something.

storytimebiondi
Nov '18

Think of NaNoWriMo as an excuse to write. We put it off all year, say we're going to do it, but don't. Then November comes.

We think the 50,000 words are important. They're not. The fact that you are writing is. Doesn't matter how fast or slow. You're writing, and that's awesome.

DasIstWunderblyat
Nov '18

Why people are obsessing and putting all of their self worth upon a yearly online event? Why people fret over NaNoWriMo failure so bad? :disappointed_relieved:

Maybe people should rethink how they approach NaNoWrimo, because it bugs me so much seeing people getting down for things they can't help. NaNoWriMo, especially for beginner writers, should rather be a training event than competition.

NaNoWriMo do not and should never determine your worth as a writer. Many big writers out there make it big without NaNoWriMo, heck perhaps not all professional writer out there able to reach the final goal. Plus, I think it kinda too shallow to make word count as indicator of success in NaNoWriMo; just pour catnip to your keyboard and perhaps your kitty can finish one. The quality of your writing does not determined by it.

This is your fucking first time writing, don't expect you can finish a marathon if you never jog even once in your life. The 3000 word count is good enough considering how busy you are and it's your first time! Think about it, you are not that bad! :slight_smile: It is also set in the busiest month of a year, with kinda impossible-ish goal and numerous participant; you are more inclined to fail than to win it. Just take this chance to set a habit of writing rhythm and discipline, you'll be good. :relieved:

This sounds kind of pessimistic, but please think about possibility of failure every time before you try something; that way you're less to feel disappointed because you already saw it coming. :smile:. Hardest thing in life includes accepting failure, even to a person who failed many times and never make it like me I still can be disappointed with even more failure.It's a difficult thing to get used to, not as easy as how the Priestess from Goblin Slayer saying "You get used to it."