NaNoWriMo (or National Novel Writing Month) is an initiative that encourages would-be writers to complete a short novel of 50,000 words in the space of a month.
Some people think this is a good idea, some are sceptical and several are downright dismissive. Here's what I think.
For staters I doubt anyone is expecting a work of genius to be written in the space of 30 days - that's not really the point though is it? What NaNoWriMo will do (for those who stick it out) is create a daily writing habit and give them the kernel of something to begin honing. Why is this important?
Well...everyone (and I mean everyone) tells us that to be a good writer you need to read. Doesn't it therefore follow that to be a good reader you need to at least try writing? I'm a musician and know plenty of people who play music purely for fun whilst, at the same time, increasing their understanding (and therefore enjoyment of) music as a listener. We don't expect everyone who owns an acoustic guitar to release a major label album and land a publishing deal so why is it such a bad thing if people have a go at writing for pleasure and (hopefully) in the process become more involved as readers.
It seems to me that writing should be exactly the same as sport, music, whatever - it's fine to do it for pleasure and not just for profit. 'Unpublished novelist' carries a far greater stigma than amateur musician and that seems ludicrous. The cliche is 'everyone has a book in them'. I believe that's probably true in the same way that I believe everyone is capable of making music. Does that mean I think everyone has the skills to get that novel out? No. Would I want to read them all if they did? No. Some people have a crap book in them - doesn't mean they shouldn't write it.
I'm a firm believer that the arts are for all of us and that we should be encouraged to have a go at whichever takes our fancy. Will most of us get to Carnegie Hall/The Booker Prize dinner/Wembley Stadium. No. Does that matter?
Great art changes the life of the audience - bad art can change the life of the artist. That's enough.
Perhaps you have not heard of the `3 Day Novel Writing' contest, which has occurred since 1977, originating in Vancouver; and which has occurred every Labour Day weekend since then? (Since 1977)
ReplyDeleteWe've got do sumtin wit long weekend aint we?
e gards
Arthur.