Not doing NaNoWriMo anymore (I deleted my account) | Indie author vlog | Vlog 63 2024

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  • Опубліковано 9 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 52

  • @nildam.bonilla5849
    @nildam.bonilla5849 Місяць тому +3

    I did all of Nanowrimo challenges last year and met my goals... that said I had burnout at the end of November that made me not want to write until February even though I was just transcribing and expanding the 50k I had handwritten. I started the year thinking I would do the same this year but I abandoned the April challenge fast, I decided it truly wasn't healthy for me to do the challenges as I kept unconsciously comparing myself to others even if my life with 3 kids and all their things can't be compared to others life. I am trying to write on a schedule, but my schedule is always changing because of the kids stuff, so I'm giving myself the grace of being happy if I manage to write once a week even for an hour.

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому +1

      The burnout after a NaNo event is so real and so common. That's a huge part of why I was already distancing myself from the events and the organization. It sounds like you're in a season of life where an hour a week is what you can manage, and that's perfectly ok. :)

  • @booknerdcatlady
    @booknerdcatlady Місяць тому +2

    I did my first NaNo in 2009 and thank it for teaching me a lot about my process, but I fell out of love with the idea of writing to a word/time goal at the expense of all else (including my health!) a few years ago. The recent drama only added to my disillusion with NaNo.

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      I'm glad I did it (and won) in 2022, now I can say I did it and I know it's not for me. But last year I took a much more pared back approach and then this year haven't done anything with it at all, and the recent drama was just the last straw for me. Thanks for watching!

  • @authorkristinealyse
    @authorkristinealyse Місяць тому +6

    lol "it's only gonna be 100 degrees today." Can't wait to settle in and finish watching this one! I also am not participating in nano this year.

    • @ErklaerMirDieWelt
      @ErklaerMirDieWelt Місяць тому

      As a Celsius-user, I converted this and was really confused. Where does she live? The Middle East?

    • @zamp_gaming
      @zamp_gaming Місяць тому

      ​@@ErklaerMirDieWelt there are so many places in the US where 100 is not uncommon, and few where it's considered that day's low. The UK "heatwaves" are nothing compared to the Midwest, or winter in southern CA.

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      @@authorkristinealyse hope you enjoyed the rest of the video!

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому +1

      @@ErklaerMirDieWelt lol, I usually try to include the Celsius conversions but must have forgotten. Some of them I remember of the top of my head, like 110F is 43C. I live in the Phoenix Valley in southern Arizona. So 100 is very normal for us. We’re at or above 100F for about 6 months but we can get above 110F/43C from June through August. It’s not fun. I think the Middle East would be the only place that routinely gets hotter than us. 😂

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      @@zamp_gaming yep, 100 is our usual low for a good three months in the summer here in Phoenix. But I’ve been in the UK during a heatwave and I will take 110f/43c with air conditioning over 90f and no AC. 😂 I don’t know how the UK manages it!

  • @SDHegyes
    @SDHegyes Місяць тому

    I loved hearing your thoughts on this topic because it came from a different standpoint than most I've listened to recently. Refreshing and I'm glad UA-cam suggested it.
    Listening to this while working and when the music came on, I suddenly felt I was listening to the Kiera Knightly Pride and Prejudice movie soundtrack. 😂
    I understand what you're saying about challenges completely. I think the reason writing challenges work for me is because I'm a binge writer (and this is a hobby for me, not a career) where I tend to write a draft for a project quickly before I take a break and return to it later. Whether that's because I just lose interest in the project or a shiny new one snags my attention and draws it away from that one. And because I have so many projects in various stages, I don't deal with burnout the same way. Not to say I don't, but I've found, for me personally, it's only when I force myself to stick to one particular project versus letting my brain jump around that I tend to get burnout as badly. Once I release the idea I *have* to stick to a particular project, it tends to go away. Generally.
    In that aspect, writing challenges are great for me. The community you mentioned was never a big issue for me because while I enjoyed seeing updates from others about where they were, I didn't let it bother me. I never saw it as "why am I not where they are?" kinda thing and more of a "they're doing awesome with everything they have going on ON TOP of writing!" I saw it as more everyone doing the same event separately rather than a competition even against oneself. I do love the idea of calling them writing intentions rather than writing challenges. That's a rather lovely way of looking at them rather than challenges.
    As for the organization, I'm more upset about the wordage of their initial take and how they claimed those against AI were classist and/or ableist. I don't care about their take personally. That's on them. I can have my own opinion, but that take (before they backtracked HARD and reworded it) felt insulting and like a slap in the face.
    As for AI itself, everything you mentioned is how I'm starting to feel. When it first blew up, I was hardcore against it purely on the basis that generative AI (from an artist's POV not necessarily an author's) stole from artists to create poor imitations, but since then, AI has grown better to the point where I don't always recognize it myself, and there's just so much about it I don't know or understand, so I'm not certain how to feel about it. I think it's around to stay. We just have to figure out it's place in our lives basically. Kinda. Ish.

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому +1

      Thanks for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video, and the music. :) I haven't always struggled with the challenge/competition aspect, so I totally understand your perspective. One day I might get back to feeling that way with my own writing. So I'm not opposed to challenges, under the right circumstances.
      And omg, yes. Their original statement and claims of criticisms of AI were classist and ableist were infuriating and so insulting. It really was the final straw for me. I don't care what they think about AI, but that was a bad take overall.
      AI is definitely around to stay, but it's going to be long road for me to figure out how I want to include it in my life or not.

  • @MichaelaBennison
    @MichaelaBennison Місяць тому +1

    Randomly got suggested your video but it was interesting to hear your thoughts.
    I've never done NaNoWriMo. The only writing challenge I've dont is a playwriting one called "28 Plays Later" where you write a play every day in February. You're given prompts that you can follow or not and there's no word or time goals/limits, wjich gave me a lot of flexibility ti work this the time/energy I had each day.
    I wonder if challeges are useful in there season, depending on the writer. It seems from the comments and from talking to other people that setting a challenging goal can teach you a lot about yourself and your creative process. But that can quickly get lost in the obligation and toxic productivity.
    And AI is...a lot.
    Lots of food for thought. Great video!

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      Thanks for watching Michaela! I'm so glad my video was suggested to you. 28 Plays Later sounds like an interesting challenge. I like that it seems focused more on writing every day and not just on word limits or time goal. A play could be just a few pages long, so that kind of challenge seems very flexible and focused on the experience of writing and not the final product (no one is writing 28 Tony award winning plays in one month lol, so this seems more about just writing and not as much about quality). Challenges are definitely useful in certain contexts for the writer. You're totally right that it depends on the writer. And the goal a writer is working towards is important. That goal is what can turn it from a challenge about pushing yourself as a writer versus veering into toxic productivity. And yeah, AI is a lot for sure lol.
      Thank you for your thoughtful comment!

  • @nildam.bonilla5849
    @nildam.bonilla5849 Місяць тому +4

    AI is a problem, at my middle child class they were given an assignment to do a short story using 3 words. My kid used them in 1 sentence 😅 but I manage to convince him to write 3 more to show he tried to do a story. But half the class used an app that threw at them basically the same story. The teacher didn't like it and had a few choice words for the parents about it (they are in 5th grade) because the teacher wants them to be creative. AI is a problem... people forget Terminator is a warning, not only a movie😅

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      As a teacher at the university level it makes that fifth graders are already leaning on AI to make their work easier. That's what I'm worried about in terms of it changing the way we think and work. And yes! Those movies of the 80s and 90s were absolutely warnings lol! But we'd probably resurrect dinosaurs as well, even though we've seen all the Jurassic Park movies and know how that turns out. As a species, humans aren't as smart as we think we are and we have no sense of humility. We only as if we CAN do something, we never stop to ask SHOULD we?

  • @Avionne_Parris
    @Avionne_Parris Місяць тому

    It's the end of an era, Andrea... Started Nano in 2017 and while I'm sad to let go of my past wordcount records (deleted my account also), I'll happily continue my progress with a new chapter - whether on my own or with my writing community :)

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому +1

      I can't imagine how hard it is for people who've been doing it for longer than just a few years. I only joined in 2021 I think? Maybe 2022. And it's disappointing enough for me. It really is the end of an era for some people. But I'd love to do something informal with all of us writers here in this little community in November and going forward in the future.

  • @chiyenumao
    @chiyenumao Місяць тому

    Was randomly recommended this video. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the whole AI debate.
    I have been thinking about AI and the ethics as it relates to my journey as a writer and your words helped provide some new perspectives to consider

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      Thanks for watching! Glad it was interesting. :)

  • @writenowdream3882
    @writenowdream3882 Місяць тому

    I loved the community too but the challenge of it all frayed my nerves. I thought it was just me with a busy life. Im glad I'm not alone.

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      The community is great, I think it will be NaNo's best legacy, they can't take that away from us. But yeah, the challenge of it was fraying on my nerves as well. It was definitely not just you, so many of us feel the same way. It's been a recurring topic here on my channel with my viewers over the last year or so. We've all been struggling. You are so not alone.

  • @alesswonderland
    @alesswonderland Місяць тому

    I haven't watched one of your videos in a while but I'm glad to have a professor's perspective on AI. I am not for gen AI as an artist and it upsets me. I get how it's good for the mechanical uses but creating new art on all mediums on the work of others is never okay and will never be okay. Yes grammarly used to be nice and now its not the best and annoying to use.
    I've been attempting nano since I was in high school transitioning between their young writers site to the normal site. I have never won any word count goal I set. As a student this is supposed to be idea for me, but the NaNo schedule does not work well for my life as a student. This is also agreed upon literally anyone I talk to. I learned this summer that once I'm in the flow, I am happy to have writing days, no matter the word count or how long it takes me to write that day. I am happy to write and I can get a draft done without an unreasonable goal for me.
    The only good thing NaNo has done for me, is when I randomly stumbled into a forum of other young writers and they are my great internet friends now.

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому +1

      As AI is creeping (or outright steamrolling) into creative spaces it's definitely making me very concerned. I know there are so many serious concerns about generative AI in the art space. The copyright issues are even more concerning when it comes to art, but even with writing copyright and AI is a huge concern for me. I wish people would be more concerned about that.
      NaNo's strength was always it's community. So it's really disappointing that it's let down the community so much. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. :)

  • @Dolores_Madil
    @Dolores_Madil Місяць тому +2

    As someone with dyslexia who almost gave up on writing in grade school if I hadn't had a high school teacher allow me to use a laptop in class and help put in my accommodation that I could do my work in word for the spell checker. I wouldn't be writing without a spell and grammer checker. Though because I know their not perfect I always have a human read my work. My dad always told me a spell checker is only as good as the person using it which is why I knew I always need a person to over look my work. Generative AI is something different as you said and don't think it's good right now. Though your conversation makes me think maybe I should make my own video. Thank you for your thoughts. 😊

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому +1

      This is such a good point and perspective. And that's why I don't have a problem with non-generative AI as an assistive tool for writers. You should totally do your own video on this topic! We need more writers talking about this topic and sharing different perspectives.

  • @wendysimon81
    @wendysimon81 Місяць тому

    I have never participated in writing challenges. My life is not structured for it. I like my life so I’m ok with that. The fact that the drama has erupted in the most popular one, confirms my lack of participation. Any creative work I do is about my personal journey. Besides, I’m just not someone that joins or falls for fads. No shade to anyone that does. AI is on nearly every front these days. My concern is how much it can remove the human aspect from creating. The biggest question for me is where is the line we are not willing to cross to say something is an original creation made by human hands/intelligence. All of this is too deep and kill the creative vibe I want to enjoy. 🤣 I love that you have evaluated what works for you and are cutting what doesn’t. 🎉

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому +1

      I'm willing to admit that AI has some place in society, but I don't think it needs to be incorporated into every aspect of our lives, and that's what's worrying me. So to see it creeping into so much of the writing community, that it's taken over a writing challenge that used to be just about community and not getting hung up on perfection and to just get your draft done, that's just so disheartening. Thanks for watching Wendy!

  • @NE_mountain
    @NE_mountain 18 днів тому

    I have always loved the concept of Nanowrimo, but I agree that the pressure to write 50,000 words in a month can be too much, especially if you don't enjoy writing sprints or challenges. I think the goal is great, but the timeframe is not, but it works for some. This kind of thing is made for a "you do you" mindset. Separately, I'm a little (very) late to the party for this vlog, but as a hobbyist writer, I am so happy to have stumbled upon it recently. Are there early vlog entries you or the commentariate could recommend to learn more about Andrea's works or writing process?

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  15 днів тому

      Thank you for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Welcome to the channel! :) And gosh, I'm not sure which vlogs to recommend, there's so many. I'd say scroll back through the recent ones and see if any title sound interesting. Earlier this year I visited England for 2 weeks and vlogged every day, those definitely let you learn more about me. But I've also done vlogs about my outlining process and how I use Scrivener and stuff like that. :)

  • @R.S.4672
    @R.S.4672 Місяць тому

    I am still on the fence about deleting my Nano account. I've done Nano for years. I'm surprised at how much sadness comes up at the idea of never doing it again.

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      I've only been on there for a few years and only had a few projects logged on there and it still sad and disappointed. I can only imagine how it feels for the people who've participated for longer. I think there's a lot of sadness in the community. I don't blame anyone who hasn't been able to do a full delete yet, or if they never do it. No one can make that decision for you and don't let anyone feel like you have to.

  • @tamzinlena
    @tamzinlena Місяць тому +2

    ai stresses me out and I choose to ignore it lol📝🤯

  • @AmyFMiller
    @AmyFMiller Місяць тому

    My thoughts on AI: 🤯 I think I align pretty closely to your thoughts, though it is so complicated and ever-evolving as you said.

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      My thoughts are definitely evolving, but the more I learn about it the more I feel like I want to start from a stance against using AI in my work until I learn if/how I can use it for my benefit and not to my detriment.

  • @EmmaBennetAuthor
    @EmmaBennetAuthor Місяць тому

    I haven't decided about nano... I have really enjoyed doing it for the last two years.

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      I enjoyed it for a time, but just haven't been enjoying it the past year or so. It was time for me to step away, especially after all the drama that keeps stacking up around them as an organization.

  • @ellieblackwell9754
    @ellieblackwell9754 Місяць тому

    Hi! I’m sending you a package to your PO Box, keep an eye out :)

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      Oh my gosh, that's too kind! Thank you! I will start checking it regularly.

  • @angiesteg
    @angiesteg Місяць тому

    My husband is on an AI taskforce at his school so I'm hearing a lot about it lately. My thoughts align pretty closely with yours 📝

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      It's everywhere if you work in the education space at any level these days. I'm keeping an eye/ear out for what my university is coming out with.

  • @waypay1
    @waypay1 Місяць тому

    I left nano when they started emailing members preaching a political agenda. It had nothing to do with writing. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if they were cool with cheating ai. 😂

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому +1

      If a non-political organization wants to start taking a political stance, that's they're choice but they definitely have to be prepared for people to leave if they disagree. Thanks for watching!

  • @Neil-writer-author
    @Neil-writer-author Місяць тому +1

    I feel like using ai to write a book is cheating.

    • @Neil-writer-author
      @Neil-writer-author Місяць тому +1

      I also deleted my nano account

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      I keep trying to keep an open mind but I can't imagine how anyone can justify using AI to write a whole book.

  • @cristincarter1
    @cristincarter1 Місяць тому +1

    I don't enjoy writing competitively. I put enough pressure on myself I don't need nano to add more to it. I'm not a competive person and when it does become competitive it becomes less enjoyable. writing is fun and I want to keep it fun.
    I have similar feelings toward AI. I was recently contacted by a guy who asked if I would look at his outline of a story he wanted to write. He didn't have to tell me that he used AI it was obvious and TERRIBLE. I read it to my husband and we both laughed so hard. When I asked him about it, he said he didn't feel like writing it. 🤔 I question if he really wants to write especially after he told me that the outline was really good. I just told him good luck. 😬

    • @AndreaJSeverson
      @AndreaJSeverson  Місяць тому

      Yeah, I've started feeling the same way over the last couple of years. I just want writing to be fun, not pressured. We put enough pressure on ourselves as writers to begin with, we don't need to add to it. And omg, yeah, why write a book if you don't actually want to write it?