I didn't do it for the traffic increase because that didn't happen. Well, there might have been a slight one but I think that's attributable to more posts per month. That may come across as a criticism of the event but it's not. I think it's a natural outgrowth of NaBloPoMo becoming so popular. It was easier to connect to other participants when there were fewer of us. The list seemed like you might actually be able to get all the way through it and the randomizer made trying fun! About three years in, though, you knew there was no way you could touch on every participating blog (or even a decent-sized chunk of them) and the thought of trying made you so tired I don't think anyone kept at it. I think that reading the NaBloPoMo blogs would have to be a project in and of itself.
I didn't do it to see if I can do it. I know I can do it. I've done it seven times now, more than that if you count the non-November month I did just to see what that felt like. (For the record it didn't work the same way for me. November is my month.)
It's not to get in the habit of writing frequently. Though I don't write every single day I do write regularly, at least five times a week. This sort of writing, at least. That last makes me think perhaps I'm at a point where I need to try NaNoWriMo. Getting a first draft of a longer something completed is something I don't know if I can do.
It's not for the prizes. I've never won a prize.
I like traditions. I think that's most of it. They make me feel safe and sane. This one connects me to people at a time of year when, we have to admit, it can be hard to feel that. I like the idea of having been in on something since the beginning and never having opted out. At some point that may become more of an albatross than a boon but that time has not yet come, thank goodness. Will I be back for an eighth year? I don't know.
But I wouldn't bet against me.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Seven Reflections
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Congratulations, my friend. I'm a believer in traditions, too (as differently as my DNA plays that out). And every thing we decide to do, and then actually do, is a little victory against all the entropy and heartache out there. (And a generous hand extended to anyone currently getting smacked with entropy and heartache.)
ReplyDeleteNo doubt you can do NaNoWriMo - or some other thing. Maybe something only you can name... xox
never bet against you, nope. loved it. never managed it myself, or wait, maybe I did once? can't remember if i finished or not. it's good to force the writing for me, makes me better at it eventually and kinda kicks the perfectionism in the but, also a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI did NaBloPoMo a couple of times, and it was easy for me because I am naturally gabby. But recently I have been working on some real writing, inspired by a seminar I'm participating in, and I'm wondering if I should check out NaNoWriMo.
ReplyDeleteooops, Duh! i gotta wait till next year.
ReplyDeleteOh, well, maybe my novel will be done by that time!