Comments on: Against National Novel Writing Month

By: Salman Shaheen

Salman Shaheen — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:02:48 +0000

Well indeed, there have only really been seven basic forms of story since Greek times. That’s not to say a writer can’t do something revolutionary. But chances are even the best ones won’t.

By: coricocat

coricocat — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:54:26 +0000

There is nothing new under the sun and esse est percipi. Writing should always be about having fun. The great writers wrote mostly for themselves. Joyce and Beckett made huge leaps and bounds in subverting the novel form, but the same tired old crap still sells. But hey, where’s the harm? You don’t have to read what others feel a need to write.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:39:34 +0000

Damn, I’ll stop praying to my Kerouac poster at night then.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:01:31 +0000

Thats true, although the condensation into a month still seems a bit excessive. Not being a writer myself I can’t really comment with any great weight.

By: Salman Shaheen

Salman Shaheen — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:04:13 +0000

The thing about embarking on a novel, though, is that it’s a scary task. Most are never seen through from beginning to end. It’s much easier to hone your skills writing short stories. Far harder to see one sustained narrative through from beginning to end. NNWM is never going to produce any masterpieces. But what it can do is help people conquer their fear. I don’t believe there’s a novel in everyone. But even for those people who have a novel in them, it’s a hell of a task getting it out. If NNWM can help break the ice, and give people the confidence to put the time and effort into creating something greater later down the line, then I have nothing against it.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:43:12 +0000

Re-reading the above comment, it sounds like I am being condescending towards indie and invoking classical snobbery. This was not my intention. My point was that I could competently do the job of a keyboard player in an indie band in terms of producing a respectable finished product, but would not have much to contribute to the genre and would not find it particularly enjoyable.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:32:57 +0000

I don’t think Jacob is denying that amateur creative writing is a good thing, the point is (in my opinion) that it is actually far more worthwhile for someone to spend decades practicing creative writing at the end of which they have produced a couple of reasonably good short stories that will be read mainly by thier grandchildren than to produce a novel in a month. In some ways I even think it could take more confidence to do the former. Similarly for music, I find it far more proffitable learning to play fugues which I will never have the reliability to perform than trying to become a keyboard player in a up and coming indie band (setting aside the absurdity of this image), even though the latter would be considered a greater achievement in conventional terms.

In your case, as a professional writer, the fruits of your labours are bountiful enough that you and the publishing industry think it worthwhile to produce more ambitious and finished products. But this is, presumably, on the basis of a substantial commitment of effort beyond most amateur writers.

By: Salman Shaheen

Salman Shaheen — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:33:48 +0000

Or, people just enjoy writing. I agree that the end product of NNWM will likely be drivel, much like the vast majority of WH Smith’s shelves. But is that really the crucial point at the end of the day? Why do I write novels? Because I want to be a famous writer? Because I want to produce a valuable cultural product? Because I want something I can sell to make money? Yes, to all three I expect. But the most important reason I write, the thing that keeps me going through all the uncertainties of the publishing industry, is because I enjoy it. I couldn’t do it otherwise. And if people want to spend the month writing, instead of sitting in front of the TV or playing a computer game, go them.