I wrote a few days back about my NaNo journey this year (see here), and how even though I didn’t make it to 50K words, it was still a worthwhile effort in many ways.
I was reading in Carol Roberts’ The Dissertation Journey the following passage:
You don’t have to write something good initially. Thinking that you do only causes self-disparagement and self-recrimination. Remember, first drafts are only first drafts and are for your eyes only. Let them be sketchy thoughts, rambling sentences, clumsy word patterns using poor grammar, and so on. Just get everything out of your brain and onto paper. Don’t obsess and ponder ideas too long. Don’t judge it, just write it. Getting ideas on paper gets you moving. You now have something to work on and revise. Accept the fact that you will be writing several drafts, and take the pressure off the first one by concentrating only on your ideas. Most writers agree that it’s easier to revise than to create. Writing is a complex and slow process, so don’t expect it to flow effortlessly. Few writers write only when they feel inspired. If you wait for inspiration, or write only when you feel like it, your chances of completion are nil.
Great advice and particularly good considering my own NaNo. Just because I ddin’t hit 50K doesn’t mean what I have written is no good or not worthy. Just wait till I get a chance to rewrite it!
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