While I’m engaging in this month-long contest, I’m sharing some of my favorite things from NaNoWriMo. Yesterday I shared #6 on my list. Today, the benefit I’m thinking about is the connections I’m making.
I always thought that writing had to be the most tedious of jobs. Authors were hermits, completely disconnected with the real world.
Okay. Maybe a little. After all, there are plenty of characters to talk to inside our heads. But the fact is, authors are hugely creative when they work together. Think about it. A group of three authors have three times the creative juices flowing to apply to a story.
My NaNoWriMo experiences in meeting some of these authors, (yes, there are actual face-to-face meetings that happen within the many regions in our NaNo-Nation) opened up all sorts of ideas. Discussing our stories led me to begin examining themes and symbolism. Hearing some of their plans (some of which were way out there) sparked me to open the box wider and imagine things bigger.
And don’t get me started about the discussions over Words With Friends that our meet up stimulated.
It’s true that most of the folks I add as Writing Buddies and have listed on my Word Wars list are people I know from other places, but there are several on my Writing Buddies list who have become so through NaNo.
And I love finding new writer friends. What can I say? They get me!
Marji Laine 