Camp Pep: Why Reckless Abandon is Crucial for Writing

Are you tackling a writing project this July at Camp NaNoWriMo? Our incredible participants have words of wisdom to share with their fellow writers. Today, Shannon advises you to face the blank page with reckless abandon:

Reckless abandon. These words are my guide for Camp this July, and they’re words I want to share with you.

Now, I’m not saying that reckless abandon is the best way to live all aspects of life (safety is important!), but when it comes to writing, reckless abandon means shutting your cabin door in the face of your inner editor, and creating a whirlwind of written excitement. This isn’t the time to worry about inconsistencies and plot holes. This is the time to write and explore.

There is no better time for spontaneity and adventure than summer vacation…

Camp is a time to push out of your comfort zone with your writing for the next month. Explore and experiment. You have the opportunity to open your brain up to new ideas that you hadn’t imagined you could handle.

If you look at one of those Big, Strange, Wonderful ideas, and you say to yourself, “I don’t know, self. That’s a little out of my comfort zone. I already know that I can do this other Thing well, so maybe I’ll stick to that…” that’s how you know that you should give it a try.

Nothing brilliant has ever come from shying away from something new. Whether it’s a new genre, new target audience, new format, new voice, new character traits, or new plot twists: embrace them. Throw caution to the wind, exclaim, “I’m on vacation!” and dive into that new adventure.

Whether you are a newbie or a veteran, be bold, Campers. Dive into the deep end– without your water wings if you dare. Try that new thing, then try it backwards. Take risks. Reap the rewards. You’re on break: free to roam and explore and discover things about you and your writing that you never thought you would.

Write with reckless abandon, friend.

And have an awesome July.

Shannon Raymond is a 21 year-old YA novel enthusiast whose camp activities include hiding from direct sunlight and sneaking books into her cabin. When she’s not writing about ten year-olds running their own utopia, she’s watching teenage werewolves on TV or making something she saw on Pinterest. You can find her geeking out over on Twitter @shannonmray.

Top photo by Flickr user Justin Ornellas.