Every writer has an inner editor. It can be both one of a writer’s most valuable qualities or one of his or her biggest hindrances.
National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, is a project where individuals write a 50,000-word novel from scratch during the month of November. During that time, output is the sole goal. Editing is for December.
Why Writers Struggle with Self-Editing
Both professional and occasional writers struggle with such free-formed output, constantly reading over their writing trying to make each sentence sparkle. Typically, the problem comes not from a lack of confidence but a misconception.
Most writers get their inspiration from reading books and other published works. While one of the most excellent ways to understand what works in both fiction and non-fiction, what people forget is that the published works originally looked nothing like what the finished version looks like. Most published authors have several drafts, often times into the double digits.
Learning to Embrace Imperfection in First Drafts
If a writer cannot turn off his or her inner-editor during the writing process, it can hinder depth of the writing and, ultimately, could result in failure to finish any project started. Especially with a project like NaNoWriMo, writers must force away perfection and accept that good writing – along with the bad – will come.
Every writer who completes NaNoWriMo can look forward to not only growing as a writer, but also growing as a person, learning to accept imperfection without accepting failure as part of that imperfection.
Getting Stuck and Writing Into a Corner
What happens when a writer doesn’t sabotage writing by self-editing but instead writes himself or herself into a corner? Getting far into a project and getting stuck is not only a possibility but also a probability, especially when the writer doesn’t have a well-planned idea. Some writers argue a plan is necessary while others claim it is deadly. Either way, corners happen. This is no time to give up.
Work the plot through, and if moving forward isn’t an option try moving backward or spinning off from a subplot. Do anything to keep writing on the current writing project because starting a new project without finishing another will only result in more unfinished projects.
Ultimately, when writing becomes frustrating instead of fun, just remember that committing to NaNoWriMo or any writing project takes bravery, confidence and passion. Persevere even when things get rough. Characters' lives are counting on their writer.
Megan B. Wyatt - Megan B. Wyatt has a BA in English, edits fiction manuscripts and currently works as an entertainment reporter in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Join the Conversation