November 30, 2008 2

NaNoWriMo – First failure in 5 years

By in Main, Writing

And so now, on the last day of NaNoWriMo, it’s time to admit it publicly… I dropped out of Nano.

For the first time in five years, I didn’t finish my novel, and while I regret not being a better example for my region (since I’m the Municipal Liaison), I don’t feel guilty for concentrating on other things, like STeaP, like the new Warcraft expansion, like work, or simply my own sanity.

I’ve been through a lot of changes this year, changes that I’m incredibly thankful for, but finishing grad school, passing my board exam, getting married, starting my first “big” job, losing a co-host on STeaP, AND trying to muster up the energy to write a fifth novel this November just wasn’t going to happen.

I need time to breathe.

It’s part of the reason (among others) that I no longer work at Viddler… I just want to settle in and relax for five minutes. My brain and my body are simply done with big projects for this year, and I had just started to settle down into a calmer life when Nano started, which was horrible timing. Mix the timing in with some regional drama that just sapped a lot of my enjoyment out of the local events, and you have a recipe for failure.

I’m surprised that I so easily put Nano aside when I realized that I wasn’t enjoying it, and that I haven’t felt guilty. I’ve still gone to all of the meetings and rooted others on, but many of the locals have thrown in the towel as well. It seems that writing a 50,000 word novel simply wasn’t in the cards for several of us this year, and I’m glad that I can say that and feel okay about it.

Next year!

Oh, and there’s always Script Frenzy in April. I have some big plans for this year. :)

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  • http://www.mario-live.com/blog Mario

    Dear Brandice,

    I have to do important work right now, but the urge to react on this post won at last. The funny thing is that I don't feel guilty about it, because my book keeping will not run away from me (in fact, it is running afer me). Nice to read that you don't feel guilty either. There is no need for that. Even if you are a ML who did not finish, I know that you are a very good example for every participant. Just because you gave the priority to the things you like most. As I know you (from that far distant), I think that you are doing this all the time. This is why you didn't fail in my opinion. People who following their guts can't fail. Failure doesn't exist, even if you want to look at it that way. You just proved yourself and other (maybe) how not to win NaNo.

    Winning NaNo this year felt very different from last year. I missed the most important thing: the massive activity on Viddler. Do you remember NaNo 2007, when we were the most active group on the planet, sorry, I mean on Viddler. This was that on thing that pulled us all through the process. We were tranquilizers for each other. This year was different. I joint two weeks late and it's a little bit like coming to late to a party and seeing most of the guest going home while you arrive.

    I look forward to what you are up to in April, even if I don't know yet if I join Script Frenzy myself. I'll follow you and the people who do.

    See you!
    Mario

  • http://www.mario-live.com/blog Mario

    Dear Brandice,

    I have to do important work right now, but the urge to react on this post won at last. The funny thing is that I don't feel guilty about it, because my book keeping will not run away from me (in fact, it is running afer me). Nice to read that you don't feel guilty either. There is no need for that. Even if you are a ML who did not finish, I know that you are a very good example for every participant. Just because you gave the priority to the things you like most. As I know you (from that far distant), I think that you are doing this all the time. This is why you didn't fail in my opinion. People who following their guts can't fail. Failure doesn't exist, even if you want to look at it that way. You just proved yourself and other (maybe) how not to win NaNo.

    Winning NaNo this year felt very different from last year. I missed the most important thing: the massive activity on Viddler. Do you remember NaNo 2007, when we were the most active group on the planet, sorry, I mean on Viddler. This was that on thing that pulled us all through the process. We were tranquilizers for each other. This year was different. I joint two weeks late and it's a little bit like coming to late to a party and seeing most of the guest going home while you arrive.

    I look forward to what you are up to in April, even if I don't know yet if I join Script Frenzy myself. I'll follow you and the people who do.

    See you!

    Mario