Embracing Imperfection: A Guide to Writing Freely During NaNoWriMo
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a thrilling challenge that encourages writers to produce a 50,000-word novel in just 30 days. Amidst the frenzy of daily word goals and time constraints, it's essential to remember that NaNoWriMo is about quantity, not quality. Embracing imperfection in your writing during this month-long journey can be liberating and ultimately lead to a more successful and enjoyable experience. In this article, we'll explore how to embrace imperfection and free your creativity during NaNoWriMo.
1. Banish Your Inner Editor
One of the most significant obstacles to embracing imperfection is the relentless inner editor—the voice in your head that constantly critiques your writing. During NaNoWriMo, silence this inner editor. Allow yourself to write without inhibition, knowing that you can edit and refine your work later. Here's how:
Turn Off Spell Check: Disable spell check and grammar correction in your writing software to avoid distractions.
Avoid Self-Editing: Resist the urge to edit as you go. If you spot errors or awkward sentences, make a note to come back to them later.
Write Freely: Let your creativity flow without worrying about perfection. Focus on generating words and ideas.
2. Use Placeholder Text
In your rush to meet daily word count goals, it's perfectly acceptable to use placeholder text when you're stuck or uncertain about a particular detail. Instead of getting bogged down by trying to find the perfect word or phrase, keep your momentum going with temporary placeholders like "TK" or "[DESCRIPTION]." For example:
"She walked into the [DESCRIPTION] and felt a surge of [EMOTION]."
You can return to these placeholders during the editing phase to fill in the missing details. I like using a nonsense word (such as “BUMFUZZLE”) rather than words that could occur organically in my book. This makes them easy to find, since the only places I’ll use that word in my book will be places for review.
3. Embrace Messy First Drafts
Understand that your first draft during NaNoWriMo will be messy, and that's entirely okay. It's a draft, not the final product. Your goal is to get your story down on paper and refine it later. Accept that your writing might be inconsistent, and scenes may not flow seamlessly. Perfection can come in subsequent drafts.
4. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Rather than fixating on perfect sentences or chapters, focus on your daily progress. Celebrate reaching your word count goals, completing chapters, or achieving milestones in your novel. These accomplishments, no matter how imperfect they may seem, are the building blocks of your final masterpiece.
5. Write Without Fear of Judgment
NaNoWriMo is not the time to worry about what others might think of your writing. Remember that your work during this challenge is a rough draft, intended for your eyes only (at least for now). Writing without the fear of judgment allows you to explore ideas, experiment with different styles, and take creative risks.
6. Embrace the "Sloppy Copy"
Author Anne Lamott famously coined the term "sloppy copy" in her book "Bird by Bird." The sloppy copy is the messy, imperfect, and often chaotic first draft. Embrace the idea that your NaNoWriMo novel is your sloppy copy. It's the raw material from which you'll sculpt your final masterpiece.
7. Trust the Editing Process
Once NaNoWriMo is over, give yourself permission to step away from your manuscript for a while. Distance from your work allows you to return with fresh eyes during the editing phase. This is when you can start shaping your imperfect draft into a polished novel. Trust the process and know that revision is an essential part of writing. If you’re tempted to revise during the month of November, remind yourself that editing is its own separate phase and should occur after you finish writing, not during the process of trying to get your words down on paper.
Conclusion
Embracing imperfection during NaNoWriMo is not only liberating but also a key to success. By silencing your inner editor, using placeholder text, embracing messy drafts, celebrating progress, and writing without fear of judgment, you can unlock your creativity and achieve your 50,000-word goal. Remember that perfection can come later in the editing process and that NaNoWriMo is a journey of self-discovery and creative exploration. So, take the plunge, write freely, and let your imagination soar during this exciting writing challenge!
