scared of nano

[enfpintj]

I want to do nano, but I'm scared to death. I do not have a regular writing process now, I just write when inspired. Not very often these days unfortunately. I know writing should be more of a discipline, but discipline tends to be difficult. I also don't really like that "have to" do something feeling.

Can you develop a regular writing practice during NANO or do you need to have one in place already? I'm hoping nano will get me writing more. Am I setting myself up for failure?

Yikes!! Under pressure...(queue Queen)

I also can't use my long held novel idea because I have written some pages in the past. Now I have to come up with another. I have an inkling, but it's not much more.

Help!!

[Rigama]

I feel your pain! Like you, I tend to not be a "write every day" kind of person, and I'm kinda freaked out about my decision to do nano. But what I finally came to is this:

I really want to write. I feel guilty that I don't make the time to do it more, but at the same time, I'm terrified of giving myself permission to put pen to page, so to speak. I'm looking at Nano as a way to kick my butt into gear and to guiltlessly give myself the permission I otherwise wouldn't. I'm part of a community and we are all working towards the same goal-that makes it more "acceptable" and less selfish to me.

I don't expect to produce a fully polished and publishable novel at the end of 31 days, and I'm not holding myself up to the standard that I will HIT 50,000 words. It's about the experience and the exercise that I'm after.

I've been reading No Plot No Problem, and I was quite surprised that Chris (the founder of Nano) typically just sits down on Nov1 with little more than a vague idea of his story. So, to my great relief, it is possible to write a novel without a full-fledged plan.

Good luck!

[puddle]

Just go for it--it's not the end of the world if you don't win. It's still fun and a good experience. I don't think I'll get very far this year--dd is only 4 months old but I'll give it a shot.

[nova22]

I did it last year and I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I had no outline, no plot, nothing. I just started writing on Nov. 1 and pushed myself to do it again every day. I had a nursing baby so it made it a little easier for me - I set myself up with a nursling and a laptop, and started typing. If you don't win, who cares - try again next year if you want. If you do win, you get a little congratulatory email and graphic to use as an avatar or in your blog, and you get a nice feeling of accomplishment. Good luck!