I’m going to write a book. In a month
People sometimes say to me 'You're very prolific'. Or 'You write so much!' Or 'I don't know how you find time to write all those blog posts'. I find it quite flattering, but then again I think, quite often, what they're saying to me, in a tactful way is, "You write an awful lot of shit, Vowl".
Which I can't really disagree with a whole lot.
But this very kind tweet from yesterday got me thinking. Why not? It might give me something to approach, some kind of goal, some kind of outlet for all the outpourings of brain juice that otherwise get splashed around on blog posts about stuff. There will be blogging, too, next month, but maybe not quite as much or as often or as long posts. And that might be better for all of us. And at the end of it all, hopefully, I end up with a nice book, written by me.
I have no idea whether it will be any good or not, but that's not the point, which is great. No time for great swirling narrative tricks or vortices; just getting down to writing it. I think I might be better at that than trying to plan it all through in one go.
So that's the plan for next month, anyway. A work of fiction. I've had worse things to do in November. Why not have a bash yourself? The website is here.
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About Me
Hello. I'm a Bristol-based writer and soon-to-be-redundant journalist. You can read more about me and the Enemies site here, or follow me on Twitter. Email me if you like - antonvowl at live dot co dot uk
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October 24th, 2010 - 11:33
I couldn’t get the tweet link to work but I did NaNoWriMo last year to write the first draft of a novel – I’m just working on the second draft now but I highly recommend the NaNoWriMo process for getting some draft material down. It was fun too to meet up with other local NaNoWriMoers and go the pub and write with them for a few hours – writing doesn’t need to be lonely! Good luck!
October 24th, 2010 - 11:47
The tweet appears to have been deleted, but I’m sure it was very flattering and I whole-heartedly agree….
October 24th, 2010 - 11:48
Ah, it’s protected.
October 24th, 2010 - 11:47
Eyy, good luck dude! Looking forward to reading it.
October 24th, 2010 - 12:25
I’ve had a go at this twice before, and flunked out within a week both times. It doesn’t suit everyone, I think, and I’m really not yet comfortable with just bashing out over 1500 words of unedited drivel day after day, but I know a lot of people thrive with it and find it an invaluable kickstart. Fingers crossed you’ll find yourself in the latter group. Good luck!
October 24th, 2010 - 12:55
gGood luck! NaNoWriMo is an experience in which you find out so much about yourself, and develop things you didn’t know you had in you. I hope it goes as well for you as it does for me, Anton!
The pep talks are amazing, too. Chris Baty is such an inspirational writer; clearly he has a lot of love for his project!
October 24th, 2010 - 18:50
I took part in NaNoWriMo last year and succeeded in writing a 50,000 word novel, which I am in fact very proud of. Usually, I never have the motivation to finish anything in terms of writing, but the strict time frame really kept me going and I actually think that the novel I wrote was of a good quality.
So I think everyone should try it at least once as you never know what you might be capable of.
October 24th, 2010 - 18:53
I’ll be doing my third Nano novel this year, it’s a great way to pass an otherwise exceptionally dull month.
October 25th, 2010 - 09:31
I’m in.
October 25th, 2010 - 11:08
Good luck! I’ve signed up for my seventh nano this year, and with a week to go the nerves are just starting to jangle a wee bit…
October 25th, 2010 - 11:57
Y’know what, I don’t think you post enough. It always brightens my day to read your posts.
However, a book written by you would be fantastic too….but keep blogging!
October 25th, 2010 - 13:02
It’s a great idea. Do. It.
October 25th, 2010 - 14:17
Go for it!
October 26th, 2010 - 06:57
I have a title for a book and I keep telling myself that one day I’ll write it. But then when I was younger I had loads of great song titles but no musical ability, hence I’m not a rock and roll star.