Should You Write a Novel? - NaNoWriMo 2020
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- Опубліковано 10 лис 2020
- It's November, the National Writing Month here in the U.S. And if you're planning on participating in NaNoWriMo (the annual creative writing project that takes place in November where participants attempt to write a 50,000 word manuscript) I thought I would offer a bit of advice.
I'll be posting a few of these videos throughout the month so keep your eyes open. But most importantly, keep your hands on your keyboard! Those 50K words aren't going to write themselves!
More info about NaNoWriMo: nanowrimo.org/
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“I was a little late when I started writing in high school.”
Me (a 29 year old): aww shit
But honestly this video made me feel good about working on my first novel. Thank you.
Been working on the same world since freshman year in high school. At 26, 12 years later, finally just started writing a narrative that feels "right".
I also started writing at 29. It's never too late to be creative!
Some write from their teen years. Others start at their late thirties or even older. Both age groups have had great and awful writers, just check author biographies on goodreads and such. Go for it, everyone.
Stan Lee started making Comics in his 40s
Nah, I think I'll let Brandon write it for me. Knowing him, he'll find the time.
The power of habits
That's a nice way to completely undermine his message, but through genuine praise. I think you should consider a writing career
He's always successful behind the wheel
Brandon says he started late at 16/17 - for anyone who's thinking "I'm older than that and I haven't started, am I too late?" NO, you're not!!
At least I really hope you're not because I'm 20 and I haven't started yet. But seriously, it's not like words care about what age you are
The average 1st publish age is 40 - according to survey by Pat Rofflus
Very true. A lot of great writers only started writing when they were middle aged, retired, etc. It really doesn't matter what age you are. Its the quality of the time you spend getting experience, not just the quantity. And everyone learns different aspects of writing at a different pace. Some might be able to write their first book ever and intuitively grasp many aspects of narrative and writing to where they can polish that book up relatively well for publication. Others go through many books before they get to the point where all their skills click together or their projects just keep improving steadily. Its not unlike how Einstein struggled with math and science as a child but then was able to draw things together as an adult scientist and mathematician that no one had ever thought of and that is still used today. Best of luck to you in your new writing goals, and I hope you have a great time and meet your NaNo goals!
@@snowpoint720 and that's the Average! so even if you're way past 40, you're not alone! It's never too late
I'm 17 and I was (and still am a bit) worried that I might be too late. I've also only started reading in High School (yeah, I was one of _those_ kids). Thanks for this comment :) It makes me feel better.
@@mascotwithadinosaur9353 the reason they say “it’s never too late” is because it’s never too late. You’re more than welcome to create mental models of how the future will pan out this way or that way, but being too strict with that is a good way to paralyze your brain.
If the doing of it is worthwhile and adds something to your life- the researching, the studying, the outlining, the drafting, the revising, or whatever about it make you feel alive - then it is well worth it. You lose nothing by hoping and trying. You do lose, however, by criticizing an imaginary future version of yourself. If it takes you 2 years, or 10 years, but you love it and it brings something to your life, it is well worth it. I’ve been working on my story since I was 16. I’m 29 now and I’m in love with doing it. I wasn’t equipped to write something well when I started and that’s okay. The journey towards the first drafts has been what taught me everything I needed to make it happen.
All the best! -from someone who believed he had missed the boat by not being world famous at age 13 🙏🏻
Oooh. New logo.
Didn't expect to see you here. Cool!
Ooooooo
Oh hey Austin
Austin wrote a book and nobody read it, but he still wrote it anyway
Holy shit Austin is a Sanderson fan
If you keep asking yourself this question, the answer is YES.
thanks!
Hm... to be honest, I can actually see this logic. Maybe I should stop procrastinating and actually finish some of my novels that I've started.
Nobody is talking about the intro? I need something with that design!!!! It's incredible
@@---nu4ed 🤣
This actually made me tear up, a lot.
To quote dory from finding nemo: just keep swimming, just keep swimming 🍻
Same same. The fact that he's already a very successful author taking his time to encourage people he doesn't even know, and chances are this is the only encouragement you (and me) are getting. We needed this. Let's do it!
Me too. I haven't been like this for ages. What's even up with that?
Bro, that artwork created from Brandon's signature just blew my mind. The man likes his juxtapositions.
NaNoWriMo words as of 11/11/20: 37,487. I have tried a few times before, but I'm really chugging along this time.
I've never done NaNoWriMo before, but I'm writing my 2nd book for it. I'm at around 38,000 as well! Writing so much more has been great, I've done around 4k words a day consistently the last few days. Good luck with your project.
@@szymongrzadzielski286 I write regularly, but to go all in for NaNo takes extra time. Congrats on the 4k per day! That's great!
Hell yeah! Congratulations!
@@SilverstreamPJ28 Thank you!
@Fuhe Yu Good to hear! Keep it up!
We got this 💪
Good luck to everyone writing for NaNoWriMo, for yourself or for something else. You CAN do it.
The fact that Brandon takes the time to put out videos like this honestly encourages me a lot. Thank you to the whole team 💖
Thanks for this! Yeah, Brandon is so helpful. It's incredible that he can find the time to do these videos for us with all the writing he does!
Also, best of luck to you with your writing goals too 😊
Let's do it!
Thank you!♡ likewise for EVERYONE
I'm gonna write, something atleast. This time I'll finish it. As mistborn taught me, I'll have faith that everything will be alright. Thank you Brandon.
NaNoWriMo doesn't end when November ends; it ends when you finish or give up.
Keep chugging along, friend.
Good luck, fellow author!
Brandon truly inspired me to get back into writing. I loved it growing up, and it got me through some tough times in my early 20s, but some where along the way I stopped and haven't done it in almost 20 years now. There were a lot reasons why, but I think a big one was that I've always been averse to participating in anything with low odds. Tell me if I take your survey you'll give me a free soft drink with my next order and I may do it, but tell me you'll enter me into some contest with a chance to win a much better prize, and I don't even consider it. In the case of writing, I became aware of just how unlikely it was for anything I ever wrote to even be published, let alone successful, and that killed my enthusiasm to do it. I thought my writing was decent enough, but I was also wise enough to realize it wasn't close to on the same level as some one like, say, Brandon Sanderson.
But Brandon made me realize that writing doesn't have to be about getting published, writing is a gift onto itself to the writer for those of us who love it. And that has inspired me to begin writing again, and I'm so glad I did. In fact I think I'm enjoying it, getting more out of it, then I ever have before, because for the first time I have the burden of writing the best book possible lifted, I still want to make it a great story, but it doesn't have to be, Even if no one but my wife and daughter are ever interested in reading it, it was worth writing, heck even if they weren't, its worth writing for my own sake, in the same way its worth exercising even if you have a desk job. The act of writing, at least for some one like myself, is good for our very well being, and I'm so grateful to Brandon for helping me realize that.
I have to say, Brandon.
As a writer working on my third NaNoWriMo I still forget that it's not about "winning", but about improving myself.
Thanks for adding your voice to remind me.
I’ll be honest; I really needed this.
Why are you so nice? What's you angle?
In all seriousness, thanks. It's so nice to see authors who want to lift up other writers. Not enough of that in our world.
Third year in a row participating in NaNoWriMo. Last year, it was really hard. But this year, something clicked, and I’ve been crushing it. It’s been awesome.
Hi Brandon Sanderson! I'm working on NaNoWriMo this year-- I'm at 27k words. Despite the count I'm at I am struggling with a lot of self doubt over my style. I keep thinking my story is too stupid and unimaginative. Thank you so much for such an uplifting message of encouragement with this video.
27k is a lot, definitely a good start! Keep going!
You are doing a great job. Keep at it. Every story is worthwhile to tell
It isn’t stupid or unimaginative, it’s your story. It’s already an original and creative work because it’s coming from you. Not only that, it’s the first draft of your story. If you feel like something is dumb or cliched, highlight it, make a note and keep going. You can always fix it later. Nano isn’t for making a perfect story, it’s for writing a story down that might not have gotten onto paper otherwise. You are doing amazing! Keep going!
@@Danielex-en9ku thank you!
@@subhanair6411 thank you so much!
I just had one of my close friends read my first chapter, and he told me he liked it a whole lot. I felt really ecstatic about that, even though it also gave me some pressure that I want the other 495.000 words this project will probably turn into to turn out just as well.
That is a big project you are starting with, what 5 book series or something? if it is 500 000 words... But I know the feeling. Hearing the words of "I hoped there would be more of it, that I could have continued reading" was, well it was amazing. And scary in the same time. What if at some point that wouldn't hold true anymore. That would mean that there would be need for learning the revisions then^^
@@Crimtaku I actually intended this as one book, but then my first chapter was 3.5k words, and I felt like what I consider the Cold opening is long enough to qualify for NaNoWriMo. Well, perhaps I split it. Gotta get there first, before I decide.
@@anrikurisuto4432 oh okkey, on one hand I don't want to discourage you from writing it, just that if way of kings was a hard sell on 400k words... Of course it is fine to write for your own enjoyment as well, even still it seems really ambitious to start something that big^^
@@Crimtaku Yea, thats why I though of shortening it. Well, if I go by the Formula Mary Kowal uses, it might be at 200k words instead of 400k. I will see where I end up. The most important thing for now is just getting a story done for once.
@@anrikurisuto4432 Yep, that sounds like a plan. Good luck writing, even if luck has little to do with it^^
Cannot think of a better sight than Brandon Sanderson sitting by the fire talking to me about writing
Thanks for the mental support. I'm not participating in NaNoWriMo since I'm working on my book since late last year; and the end of the first draft is really coming close and every bit helps. I know my situation isn't quite the same as NaNoWriMo participants, but using the exciting energy around the challenge really helps pushing forward. For all participants: good luck and have fun working on your story. You can do it!
I started Nanowrimo in my junior year of high school. When I finished that book, that was when I knew for sure that I wanted to be a writer.
Brandon you're everything that's good in life.
Currently reading Stormlight archive. Feels like an epic tale
this has been the Sanderson motivational moment. and it was great^^
Thank you, Brandon. I’ve been down a rabbit hole lately watching videos on how to be a better writer, of what to do and not to do, and it’s honestly paralyzing. I’ve been terrified to start my novel for the fear of it not being “perfect” or “what publishers want”. Your comments have aimed at the heart of why I wanted to write in the first place: to tell MY story, in MY voice, for ME. I may never be famous, but the very act of finishing a novel is what matters most. Once again, thank you.
Love the logo!! And love the videos you're doing on NaNo as well as your regular videos of signings, etc. This is so cool to hear from somebody so established so thank you for sharing it with everyone. :D
Thanks for sharing Brandon! Your content has been really motivating and inspiring this month!
Thanks for these words of encouragement at a time when I'm struggling with writing my novel. It means a lot to me.
Can't tell you how much I love these videos! Thanks for the encouragement. :)
Thank you so much for this... Thank you.. that extra push was so necessary.
Love this just wrote some of my story thinking it wasn't good enough. This has motivated me to carry on. Even if it turns out bad.
Aww Sanderson, I am so proud of you and so very thankful for your input and expression to us all!
Cheers
Mr. Sanderson, you're always there for us when we need you. I can't thank you enough for all your lectures and even these bits of advice to keep on pushing. You're an inspiration for us.
Brandon you are a fabulous person and an excellent teacher. Thank you for putting yourself out there for all of us!
Thanks for the uplifting words Brandon! You've inspired an entire generation of aspiring authors!
Amazing message! Thank you so much for this video.
It is incredibly nice to hear that what we do is worth it, even if it's just worth it for ourselves. I needed this reminder :)
Just found your videos! I’ve been a fan of your Magic the Gathering writings, and I’m surprised I hadn’t seen your videos up til now. You’ve renewed some of my drive to write.
There's a video I'll be rewatching a lot, while I push on my NaNoWriMo this month. 💕
Brandon is such a cool person. Been doing a lot recently to try and express myself more creatively and I always get such encouragement from listening to him talk.
Thanks Brandon. Really needed this today.
Just the motivation I needed for keep writing my novel. So far 30k words. Than you Brandon, you rock!
This is very encouraging to me, thank you for sharing! I am in the throes of writing my first novel, it is good to have a big picture reminder like this -- thank you!
I didn’t even know how much I needed this video. I love writing on my first serious NaNo project and I believe it’s going to be the first novel I’ve ever finished. But I feel like it’s worse on the screen than in my head.
But when a great author says he has been there himself, I feel like it’s a normal thing writers experience.
Thanks a lot :-)
Thank you for this, Brandon! Just what I needed to hear
Geez, these are most positive, affirmative words that I heard in my entire life... Thank you. Im going to finish it
Thx brandon that means a lot coming from you
Such positive vibes in this video!
Hey there Brandon! Thank you for the video! You are inspirational!
I have to say, you are amazing for providing the content you do. I cannot attend one of your classes personally, but you video's have definitely helped. I have embraced writing a fantasy for my first NaNoWriMo challenge. Though I am a little behind, I am happy to say that I have crossed the threshold of my longest word count in fictional work and have at least graduated from short story length to novelette length and am still going.
Thank you for keeping the encouraging and educational videos going!
Brandon, You are a national treasure. I'm about to turn 34 and I'm JUST NOW starting out on contemplating writing.
I needed this so much and I admire you for this. Thank you brandon I will do my best QwQ
I needed this today, thank you 💜
Thanks Professor Sanderson, your story and vulnerability have encouraged me to keep going. It really means a lot!!
This is my first official involvement with NaNo and it’s helping me work towards finishing my first draft of my novel. Having this goal and plan to work to really helps
Thank you so much for this.
I know that most artists in general, and assuredly most (if not all) authors feel moments of doubt in how good our work is, and sometimes that even seeps into doubting our self-worth. As extreme as it seems to some people, I understand that much is normal; self-doubt, even crippling self-doubt, is one of the inherent challenges of trying to be a creator. So, we all need a pep talk now and then.
But the reason I so strongly felt the need for this today, is because of how the people around me constantly work to destroy my confidence. Whether family members, acquaintances, or supposed friends, they not only tend to ignore the creative works that I try to show them, but many of them actively try to discourage me from taking on any artistic endeavours. They'll say stupid things like, "Books are for useless losers!" or, "The arts aren't productive to society!" or the ever-popular, "Get a real job!" Then on the other hand, even among people who aim to support me, they often act like it is a slap in the face if I write something well. Somehow, they seem to take it as me attempting to prove I am exceptional, or better than them, or something. At any rate, it offends them if I do something that may actually reach professional quality.
Thus, in either case, it sometimes becomes nothing short of painful for me to think about writing more, or starting new projects, or trying again after rejection. I do know and trust in the things you've said here - writing is good for you. It teaches you about yourself. It expresses something, and that is valuable unto itself. Much like people themselves, stories written with sincere effort have worth, simply by existing.
My problem is that if everyone around me despises and hates my work, and hates me for doing that work, then it's hard to give the effort to get my stories outside of me. I can just as easily reflect on my stories, real and fictional, while leaving them inside of me, and I have found I get much less negative backlash that way. ...Maybe I just need better friends, or something.
...Well, anyway, today this encouragement has been enough for me. I started NaNoWriMo this year with only little hope, which little hope has been steadily flickering out. It's been hard to convince myself to write more than a couple hundred words per day, and as such, I'm a little behind on the word count for NaNoWriMo this year. But as you implied here, I won't worry about making 50,000 words by the 30th. I'm just going to write, and I'm going to try to love it again. Never mind how it's received; I used to love doing this, and I need to learn to do that again.
Yeah. So, once again, thank you for the words of encouragement, good Brandon Sanderson.
1:53-2:11 The whole emotion bit, I'm the exact same way.
There will always be someone that likes your work and supports you.
That was absolutely inspired! Thank you for sharing this with us 🙂
I absolutely loved it
Brandon? Are you just catering these last few videos? I appreciate it my guy ♡ thanks hahaha you're the greatest
Thank you Brandon I really needed this right now.
this is really helpful!! im doing nano over my winter break because i don't have the time right now and everything is stressful and on fire, but this is going to help me a lot when I do write! good luck to everyone doing nano now
Thanks for the encouragement Brandon ^^
This is extremely helpful, thank you so much!
Brandon should develop a whole series of videos where he just gives you encouragement like this to accomplish something. I'm not writing a novel, but I feel encouraged just listening to him talk about how I would do if I wanted to try.
This was incredibly wholesomely encouraging, thank you Brandon
yes, it really pushed me to get to the end. thanks, brandon!
Brandon, you are a gem!
Thank you so much for your honesty and for sharing.
This video is exactly what I needed to hear.
Here in México, people don't read that much. I actually got the pleasure of reading around 4 years ago at age of 17. Since then I've been creating a very big story, but this year I haven't had even close to half of advances as past years. Mainly because I've been a little depressed, not having humor, among other things. This almost made me tear up.
Im so happy we not only have a good writer, but an awesome person like you with us in this community. Thank you so much Brandon.
Thanks for the encouragement! Nearly halfway to 50, 000 words on my first nanowrimo. I know it won't be as good as a Sanderson classic, but hey :D
Like the new Logo. And his advice and experiences are so great and genuine. I think he is the only best selling author who has his craft video courses out in youtube, and they are so helpful.
Okay I didn't expect to get a bit emotional while watching this! This was very encouraging. I'm only a bit behind the word count goal and one thing I want to encourage anyone else who is participating in any writing venture is: if you're wondering whether it's worth writing a scene if it'll be cut later, WRITE IT ANYWAY.
Unless you're the kind of person who struggles when editing to cut anything, that scene is going to be valuable. It might inform you about your plot. It will likely reveal more about your characters. It'll help you work out something about your setting. If it doesn't, it gives you the ability to advance in your word count in a way that means when you come back and have to cut something, you can thank that segment and let it go.
Keep going!
Thank you for all those warm words. They truly encourage! Now I should go and finish a few chapters!
HOOOOOLY GUACAMOLE! That new logo is GLORIOUS!
Thanks! I'm definitely going to put effort into putting my book idea on paper now
Thanks for this! I'm just over the daily goal for today and I'm having a blast. 😁
Brandon you are such a wonderful ambassador!
I needed to hear this...
Thank you, Sando
Thank you for this, Brandon.
Thanks Brandon! I only heard about this from your channel and I started late but I’m at 12,204 words and rushing to catch up so I appreciate the pep talk
You have given me so much inspiratin!
Wonderful! always love your positivity
I'll send this to my family who don't exactly... _agree_ that writing can be good.
Thank you, Brandon
This month has really helped me get intp writing and i find myself thinking, "i _love_ this. Why did i stop back then?" I agree with EVERY single thing you said because it's so _true_
Thanks for your encouragement. I want to write a book, and I have a few ideas, and I keep asking myself if it will really work, but now I know that even if it’s not the best, it will be worth it because I will have told a story no one else could have.
I have been writting since middle school. Like a lot. These stories would never be read by anyone but me and my close friends and relatives, but it has a really good and healthy impact in my life. Creative and critical thought is what characterizes us as humans, and we should cultivate it. Greetings from México!
I'm 32 and have decided recently that I want to be a writer. I basically have no experience, but reading has inspired me into trying to write. Obviously I don't expect to be very good at it, but I'm definitely looking forward to trying. I plan on enrolling in some college classes once the pandemic is over. I'm loving these videos. Keep it up!🤙
Thanks for the positive message mate.
I needed this SO BAD tysm!!!!!!
Thanks Brandon! I needed this.
Brandon making a video just to tell us we're great made my day :p
Yes, I'm a big believer in never giving up being able to write if that's something you want to do, even if you never get published.
I've finally been able to get a beginning for my book I finally liked and could work with to continue the book after 16 years. I've had a terrible case of world builder's disease, but now I'm writing an average of 800 words in about 4 hours of time, but I'm getting faster each writing session. I had no idea how I was going to work some humor naturally into my world of great wars, and the people living a hard life in general with the creatures that inhabit my world, but I've found that those ideas will come to you as needed as you write.
It has been a long hard journey to this point, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Be grateful for the things you're able to learn from your book research and world building. I've learned so much about the real world in general on a variety of topics that it was equivalent in acquiring knowledge as my whole time in school growing up, and I consider that a wonderful blessing as a byproduct of simply trying to write a book series. All of my preparation is really paying off now in my writing.
Thank you so much Brandon!
You, sir, are an amazing inspiration. Thanks.
This was powerful. Thank you
ALL I NEED IT TO HEAR
"WAS EXACTLY THIS"🙏🙏🙏🙏TO KEEP GOING. THANK YOU SO MUCH🤝 I HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR YOU.
Thank you Mr. Sanderson. Time to go finish writing that Western Fantasy book I've been putting off.
Thanks, I needed to hear that. I am writing a... sports story, which is so difficult to write (matches descriptions) but it's fun and it relaxes me.
Thanks for this Brandon... I always wanted to write a book, but never found the guts to. I love playing narrative games like D&D and saw myself a lot in what you described (I have cried more about stories than about real life shit... somehow they touch me more emotionally). I will now sit down and start plotting !
Honestly, thank you, Brandon
Always inspirational when you speak about writing 👍 your classes we valuable even as a aspiring horror writer.
Your first video motivated me to start, just broke the 13K mark today :)