I have a problem with people who use "I am an artist" as an excuse for their behaviour, or their refusal to exert energy on behalf of anything except themselves. It wears especially thin when their definition of artistic endeavour seems to preclude actually ever producing anything. On the other hand there is a certain amount of truth in the dedicated/obsessed artist cliché.
It may sound pretentious to some; even to my own ears, there are times when it sounds self-aggrandising, but writing is more than just a hobby, something I like to do. It's a compulsion. Asking me why I write is equivalent to asking me why I breathe. It's almost an involuntary reflex.
I sit and visualize scenarios in my head, create characters, and start visualising words on paper in idle moments. I hear about a news item, or think of an idea, and the first thing I envision is an opening paragraph. I can't begin to count the number of opening paragraphs for novels or stories I have composed in my head.
When people ask me what I do, I sort of mumble under my breath that I'm a writer. Perhaps being unable to work due to a disability has something to do with that; it's my option to write, not something anyone is forcing me to do. But then again, that applies to almost anyone who blogs, or writes for the Internet.
What gives me, or anybody for that matter, the right to set myself apart from the "masses," so to speak? The fact that I agonise over every word that I use, that I'm never satisfied with anything I write, that recognition is no big deal, that if I'm deprived of the opportunity to write I'm despondent—or maybe nothing at all?
Perhaps being an artist has nothing to do with what or why, but with expectations. I have none. Oh sure, occasionally I dream of maybe publishing something (aside from online), and getting paid for my work, but when I set out each morning, I expect nothing in return. The gift of being able to do this is sufficient reward; everything else is gravy.
Of course, that all could be so much bullshit. Maybe I'm just another egotistical twat who thinks too much of himself. Hell, I've only ever finished that one play, a bunch of short editorial commentaries, and a couple of small volumes of poetry. There must be millions of people around the world at the same level.
Article comments
1 - DrPat
From what I'm seeing at the NaNoWriMo site, long-time participants have all kinds of approaches to this.
Some do just as you've suggested here: sit down to a blank slate on 11/01 at 12:01 am. Some arrive at the first of November with a plot outline, character definitions, and a vague idea of themes and climaxes. [waving hand in air: me! me!]
Some even start with a partly-finihsed work. While not strictly within the rules, the key is to write 50,000 new words for the month of November.
I love the idea of purging yourself of all those writing gimcracks and furbelows. Maybe there is even a place for the Bulwer-Lytton opening sentence in there!
2 - Temple Stark
People have different goals, too. Some think of theselves as one day having a real book, while others think that but deny thinking that and just write.
The purest way is to sit down with a blank slate. If you haven't written before, all the preparation is just extra pressure and baggage. And it's less fun.
Remember the motto: Quantity over quality. Once you roll with that - for this excercise - you can very much surprise yourself that you let quality slip in unannounced.
3 - gypsyman
Hmmm do you mean something like: The waves of ideas that washed into his brain before the onset of NaNoWriMo was like high tide on the winds swept ocean front of inspiration...!
Pat if I could figure out what gimcracks and furbellows are I would gladly rid myself of them...I'd just hope they weren't contagous...
Thanks Temple, I was pretty much of the same mind, but it's a matter of convincing my mind of it. I'd guess that's a case of matter over mind?
4 - Jami
This is my third year of doing Nanowrimo, and the most helpful thing I can suggest is to hide any and all distractions from yourself, and go to any local meetups. You'd be amazed how sane spending just an hour or so a week will make you feel, especially in the slow plodding of the second and third weeks. Besides, the MLs get goodies for you. :)
Then again, I'm biased. I found the first year, I went in with nothing more than a half formed character in my head that had waltzed in the night before, and had little trouble making my 50k, but it was mostly junk, edited out to 25k before being scrapped almost entirely to a rewrite. My second year, I had a long plan, and got halfway and stalled. This year, I have some research, and the first few chapters vaugely outlined, but I don't really know anything for certain about it beyond a general premise and the style I want to handle it in. Will it work? Hopefully so.
5 - Mary K. Williams
Bravo to anyone who gives this a try. I have heard of NaNoWriMo, but I'm just a lil' chicken sh%t. : ) Too many excuses, not enough... fill in the blanks.
Anyway...Good luck Gypsyman, I'm in your corner!
6 - alpha
OK, Gypsyman. I signed up and haven't a clue as to what I want to do. It is your fault if I play the fool.
But it is a fine idea, an interesting site with lofty goals. Just imagine--literacy sweeping over the globe!
As for me, I must begin thinking on this and then trying to find time, the muse, and the courage. Your fault.
7 - Temple A. Stark
This post was chosen by the section editor as a BC pick of the week. Go HERE (link) to find out why.
And thank you
- Temple
8 - Temple A. Stark
and I will be signing up, as well.
- probably fixing a previous nanowrimo novel of 78,000 words.
9 - Bill Wallo
I tried last year and fell by the wayside after a week.
I'm going to try again this year, though. What was that about "If first you don't succeed?"
Anyway, good luck to those who choose to participate.