"So... you don't get ANYTHING?" they ask me as I embark on the adventure of a lifetime: writing 50,000 words in 30 days. It's called National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org), and it happens in November. I participated all four years of high school, and still people bombarded me with this question and looked at me like I was an idiot when I told them, quite sternly, that at the end of the month I had a novel.
"Yeah, but... you don't get money, or a publishing deal or something?" they would ask. Clearly they have no idea what it takes to get a novel published. First off, a story written that quickly isn't going to be good. It takes rewrite after rewrite to get it into publishing condition, and then you need to attract the attention of a publisher. NaNo was created by writers for writers -- not by publishers for writers. They don't have that kind of power, nor the time it would take to pick someone to get the deal. They would have to read through the novels, and as thousands of people win -- that is, write 50,000 words in the allotted time -- it would take forever.
"How can you write that much? UGH." This is my dream. Not yours. I've wanted to be an author since I was seven years old, and thus I have the ambition to write whereas you don't. Leave me alone.
"What are you writing? Can I see? Can I read it?" No, you can read it if it ever makes it to the shelves. And it will never make it to the shelves if you don't give me my notebook back so I can actually write it. Also, the reason I'm in a bad mood is because people like you seem to think it's funny to take things out of other peoples' hands and flip through their private notebook. So give it back and no one gets hurt, understood? (/rant)
"Well... I want to be the first one to read it!" Okay. But keep in mind that I'm an atheist, and you've already condemned Philip Pullman's books because he's an atheist. I would hate for you to be hypocritical. Also, you're sharing the "first read" with the other 4234957 people who've asked me to read it first. Hope this makes you happy.
But all in all, NaNoWriMo is an awesome opportunity for aspiring writers. Perhaps it's better for aspiring writers who aren't in school with some immature idiots who are bent on not allowing a person to write, but it's still amazing. And if you mention it to your English teacher, maybe you'll get some extra credit points...
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I have sworn every year for four years that I am going to do it....but this year, I really am!
I can't wait.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
You'll love it! It's so much fun. At least it is at home when I'm not surrounded by people who continue pestering me. The word wars we have on MSN are fantastic. I write best when in competition. =D