Plant Your Seat in that Chair!

So why is it that the novel draft I’m throwing together for NaNo is turning out better than the draft that took me over a year to write? Is that How NaNoWriMo Works?  Could it be that pure literary abandon is the foundation for a “novel” success? 

Maybe, but maybe there is more to it than that.

Many things have transpired between the start of my first Work in Process almost two years ago and NaNoWriMo 2009.  I’ve furthered my education and received great advice from wonderful instructors like Ann Linquist and Steve Alcorn.

There has also been the continuing support of my peers and fellow bloggers/writers: Kathan , Dayner , Nancy Drew Too aka Natasha, and Paper Cut Screams who is better known as our new friend Shaddy. They have all been such a blessing to me.

Therefore, I have to stop and reason, maybe the culmination of these elements are contributing to my success. These combined with other things.

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My journey began with a desire to write and continued education. In the past year, I’ve taken several courses on the craft of writing and writing fiction, as well as grammar and English composition courses.

Then there is practice. Daily writing and blogging are helping me identify my weaknesses not only in communicating my point of view, but also in recognizing patterns in my writing that are overly used.

Planning has been a major component. I’ve devoted more time to planning processes, such as developing theme and conflict, than in any previous work.

I’ll also admit that literary abandon has served its purpose. Being forced to quiet the inner editor during the month of November has definitely kept me motivated toward reaching the final goal of a complete draft from hook to ending. Maybe there is a great truth in the words:

 “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.” – Anne Lamott

Also, as intended, facing that impending NaNoWriMo deadline has prodded me to keep writing a piece of that novel every day–Even when other projects have their place in my day.

Therefore, when I consider how all of these elements have mingled together I cannot say that any one thing has helped me grow as a writer more than another. Nevertheless, I can say that NaNoWriMo 2009 has been an important element added to my writer’s arsenal.

I intend to take full advantage of National Novel Writing Month every November to ensure that I produce, at minimum, one new draft a year. Because if there is one purpose that  nanowrimo fulfills, it is making me plant my seat in the chair.