Lessons Learned from NaNoWriMo

(I really do apologize for the lack of posts. November/December are busy months!)

1. I learned what gets me motivated to write. Believe it or not, I really love writing dialogue. Originally, when I planned out my novel I designed each character, until close to the end, to be completely isolated and completely on their own. Unfortunately, this meant the only person they could talk to was themselves. I realized very quickly that this wasn't turning out to well. When I found myself writing stiff prose for days on end, I knew it was time to switch. So I added in more characters, and therefore discovered how character-driven I am. It made for interesting dialogue and--even better--it totally reshaped my plot. It was amazing. Just paying attention to little things like what grabs your attention in writing the most can really turn your book around!

2. I learned to improvise. My book is completely different than how I outlined it, but after comparing the plot of my actual book and the plot I had outlined I greatly preferred the actual book. During November, my greatest influence was ancient Greek literature and myths, and that really shows. But I had more aimed for it to be this dystopian/allegory thing (mainly because when I outlined the plot I was reading books like Lord of the Flies and 1984). In NaNoWriMo you often have to go not with what you planned but with whatever appeals to you the most.

3. I learned to prioritize. And that means, sadly, I've examined my priorities and decided that next year I will not be doing NaNoWriMo. I wish I could, but my sophomore year has been hectic. Sometimes you have to make those decisions as a writer: (Let me see. Do I want to do NaNoWriMo or do I want to be able to go to college?).

NaNoWriMo was so much fun this year! This was my third year, so as soon as I get a chance I can re-read my two other books and see how much I've improved. =)

Yours without wax,

Izori