Freeing your mind with NaNoWriMo
NaNoWriMo is short for National Novel Writing Month, which takes place in November. Since its inception in 1999, thousands of writers from around the world has taken part in this adventure, which has been billed the largest creative writing race on the planet.
The goal is to belt out a 50,000 word novel over the course of 30 days. That’s right, this is a rapid-fire endeavor where quantity, not quality, matters.
In 2004, 40 Malaysians took part in NaNoWriMo. 10 successfully passed the finish line and received certificates of accomplishment. Chances are, you have already heard of NaNoWriMo. Better yet, you are already intrigued by NaNoWriMo. But why participate in it?
As a young writer, let me offer my two cents worth.
Most ordinary people out there are bogged down with career and personal commitments. Day in and day out, they are faced with taxing routines that rob them of their energy and gusto. This is the reality of modern living. Many can't help but suffer from a mental block.
This is where NaNoWriMo comes in. A chance to clear the cobwebs from a cynical mind and just allow it to go on impulsive autopilot. Let your creative juices splash without self-conscious regard.
No, you will not produce a masterpiece. But this is far from the point.
It is to encourage you to say to yourself, "Hey, I actually wrote a novel! It isn’t very good, I know. But just imagine how much better I could do if I actually spent several months writing something solid?"
NaNoWriMo is about freeing your mind, in the hope that you will write better material in the future. Not all of us have the opportunity to study creative writing. So, the next best thing is to learn through trial-and-error. It could be the first step towards unleashing your raw talents.
The MPH Writer’s Circle will be holding a meeting to explain and discuss the goals of NaNoWriMo. The venue is the Booker Room at MPH One Utama, Saturday 20th of August, from 11am-to-12:30pm. To register, please call Customer Service at 03-7726 9003 or e-mail csoneutama@mph.com.my. There are limited seats, on a first-come-first-served basis.