The Kind of #Writer I’m NOT! #NaNoWriMo (+ Free NaNo Survival Kit)

Posted on by S. Katherine Anthony

I’ve been thinking about doing NaNoWriMo this year (and last year . . . and the one before that). Get my crap together and all that good stuff . . . and it dawned on me that:

As an author, you’d assume I know what I’m doing. I don’t!

I’m winging it just like the next guy. I’m constantly learning about the craft and will continue to do so until there’s nothing left to learn . . . which I suppose is never. (And I love that!)

There’s a difference between educating myself with the do’s and don’ts of writing, soaking up all the tips, testing how to break the rules, etc AND a difference with learning about myself as a writer. Upon recent introspection, I’ve learned two major things about myself . . . and they’re what I’m not.

1- I’m not a writer.

Well I am ;), but I’m mostly a Rewriter. Some say it’s not effective, it’s not efficient, it’s not the right way, etc, etc. I say, whatever (yes, with my non-writer’s vast vocabulary I use “whatever”). For me, I find that writing my first draft is more like my outline. I have to see the ideas written in manuscript form before I can break them down and fix them. I revise a lot, and maybe others think it’s unnecessary work . . . screw them . . . err . . . uh . . . just kidding! Kinda. What I say is: it’s my way of familiarizing myself with all the darn details and leaving just the ones I’m satisfied with. The ones my heart know are true-to-fact in my fictional world. Basically, I like to see what’s wrong and make it right.

I love being able to see the possibilities from the page and the words directly. For example, say . . . when you watch a movie or TV show and then rewrite the things you would change in your mind? That’s what I do, except with my own work . . . over and over. And over again. I’m trying to work on cutting down the number of revisions, but overall this still makes me happy.

2- I’m not a “blow-your-mind-author.”

I’m more of an entertainer. There are authors who blow your mind with their genius work and wordsmith talents, and there are writers who are purely entertaining. They are there to take you away for a while from your everyday problems, well that’s me. I write to take you on an amusing ride. You will not get philosophical thoughts, question your existence, or be traumatized (well, maybe sometimes you’ll be traumatized). But you will laugh . . . given of course you can follow my sense of humor (umm, actually for that it might be best to have a drink or two while you read my stuff).

So yeah I don’t have “insightful OMGs,” but I have “Hahahahah OMGs.” You’re welcome.

And now that I know where I’m at mentally as a writer—and apparently felt the need for you to know where I’m at—I’ll give you something that is actually helpful. If you’re into NaNoWriMo and feel you need some guidance, then you’re in luck! Here’s an excellent gift for you:

NaNoWriMo Survival Guide (+NaNoWriMo Survival Kit)

 

Check it out. Seriously. I thought it was a good thing to share because sharing is caring, as you know. And maybe if you’re feeling stuck, do some introspection of your own. It’s liberating. Accepting myself is a good step to do an unofficial NaNoWriMo run. I’d do it officially, but “I’m not a writer.” 😛


What about you?
What kind of writer are you NOT?
Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year?

Published by S. Katherine Anthony

S.K. Anthony (Shanny) is a writer, a reader, and make-stuff-up-er who lives in New York. She is an award-winning author and a podcaster. When she isn’t busy with her toddler twins, S.K. finds herself being transported into the world of imagination. Well, either that or running away from spiders . . . she is convinced they are out to get her!

13 thoughts on “The Kind of #Writer I’m NOT! #NaNoWriMo (+ Free NaNo Survival Kit)”

  1. I will definitely vouch for you being a rewriter! I’ve never known anyone who rips their work apart so viciously, lol. But it always turns out so much better that I’m glad you have the courage to do it.

    As far as your content, I’ll take those “hahahahaha OMGs” any day of the week. It’s what keeps me reading!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. No #NaNoWriMo for me; my writing style is not compatible with it. I’m a sloooooow writer. When I sit down to write, before getting started, I edit what I wrote the day before, and maybe the day before that. And even maybe the day before that. So it takes me quite a while to turn out a first draft. Then I start the process of ripping it apart.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love that you know your process and stick to it! I’ve tried different methods, you know . . . just in case, and I guess at this point I’ll follow your lead and do what I know works for me. I do like the idea of doing NaNo unofficially, but in the sense of “for one month, put your writing first, no excuses.” Happy writing, KT! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Hello Shanny!
    I am a rewriter as well haha. I tend to get through my drafts really fast… but leave them in a pretty rough state (especially first drafts.) I like to get everything down and see the big picture first before shifting things around and tidy up the details 🙂

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  5. I’m less of a rewriter than I used to be – my first draft used to be everything including several kitchen sinks, but now I’m down to one most of the time. I still expect two good rewrites before I’m ready to go on the next stage, though. I’m always awed by writers who have plotted and planned so well that the story comes out exactly as planned!

    And I’m with you on the “OMG hahaha” too – that’s what I aim for 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Down to one kitchen sink now, I’m dying! LOL – In my head I’d like to plot and plan and get everything out in a precise and concise manner, but I’m not about to lie to myself. Maybe those plotters are unhappy because they don’t like cats or dragons and have nothing better to do? 😛

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