Writing Updates: Am I doing NaNoWriMo this year? What’s next?

At first, I thought My NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month in November) this year was going to be more of a National Short Story Writing Month (NaSSWriMo). This is because I want to write lots of short stories, even if they’re flash fiction. I want to use my voice and play with style and genre in a quick manner and not feel committed to one thing. I’ve felt called to scale back my work, embrace a “practice” and have less pressure. However, I might go back even further than that…

Maybe my NaNo is to read through all my old stories this November instead. A “Nostalgic November” for NaNo. To reconnect with my old stories. Spot patterns. What I like. What’s good. Take notes and have fun doing it. I read through the story I wrote this time last year and I actually loved it. It reminded me that I’m better than I thought, and I can play with genre more than I realised, too. Maybe, then, there are more important revelations to be had when reading through old work and reminding myself of a few things:

What I’m capable ofWhat I enjoyWhat I tend to be drawn towards writingWhy I write in the first placeMy inner child Writing without pressure

I self-published my first book in 2013. I then took it more seriously in the years 2015-2017. After I stopped self-publishing, writing the “right story”, “the one” has been crippling. Pursuing traditional publishing and quality work has been difficult and has taken my enjoyment away.

I need and want that freedom of creation and passion back.

Now, I have some other thoughts about my writing in general:

I might upload my old stories to Wattpad for feedback and to feel like they all meant something I might forget novels for a while and just write short stories (or whatever size they end up being)I might try pantsing (not plotting stories) and let the story unfold for itself as I go I might tell myself to forget ever being published in a traditional sense and just write to write; just for my old satisfaction like the old old days I might try prioritising writing in notebooks so it feels more casual and freeI might write fan fictionI might play with genres I haven’t written beforeI might prioritise creative non-fiction

Essentially, I feel like I’m in a weird space with my writing. A transformational, transitional period with my writing. When I have tried these things and feel differently (or find my way back to myself), I will update you again. But if you, like me, feel like you’re unsure about where you stand with your writing right now, try some experiments. See if you can reconnect with the freedom of creation you felt when you first started. I hope you find it.

Sincerely,

S. xx