Am I crazy? (Note: that question is rhetorical)

[darsynia]

Sorry about the lack of an LJ cut--I want as much input on this as possible. If it's terribly awful and you absolutely NEED me to cut it (as I'm not entirely sure just how long it will end up being), please let me know, no grudges held, no grumpy, I promise.

Art for art's sake does wonderful things to you. It makes you laugh. It makes you cry. It makes you want to take naps and go places wearing funny pants. Doing something just for the hell of it is a wonderful antidote to all the chores and "must-dos" of daily life. Writing a novel in a month is both exhilarating and stupid, and we would all do well to invite a little more spontaneous stupidity into our lives.

Thanks to delicatetruth, I've discovered National Novel Writing Month... and a very interesting challenge. While I DO have a lot of responsibility on LJ in various places, I have come to realize that the only reason I haven't been writing is the simple fact that I haven't taught myself to write whether or not I feel like I can come up with something fantastic. 'Cause, really--that's an unattainable goal ANYWAY. The honest truth is that I don't want writing to be an 'in the mood' thing, I want it to be a thing I do a bit of every day. The process of writing 50,000 words in a day MONTH is a way to get me to do that.

Plus, it's not like I haven't done it before, right? In the month of April I updated TSIK daily; the time I actually spent (as in, sitting down and doing it, rather than thought about it) writing TSIK is roughly two months, give or take--that's 130k words in two months. 50k should be cake.

So now comes the question: Should I write fanfiction, or should I try to pull an original story out of...somewhere?

[Poll #839687]

ETA: Changed the 'day' to 'month' so as not to look psychotically insane. Also apologies to lilbreck, for whom I REALLY wanted to put James/PANDABEAR but couldn't do it as I really wanted a serious opinion :(

Comments

[soberloki.livejournal.com]

Snarry. Yis. Because snark is love, and Snape told me to tell you so.

*mad cackling*

[darsynia.livejournal.com]

Bahahhaa. One of my most favorite slash stories is Snarry--but I don't think I could pull 50,000 words out of a pairing I've never even thought of before. Thanks for the vote of confidence, though! BWAHAHAHA.

PS. I have one sticky note on my entire desk area. It is the text of that icon--funniest shit I've read in a long while. (In case it changes: I trust Severus Snape: Because if Dumbledore is that fucking stupid, we've jumped the shark)

[delicatetruth.livejournal.com]

While I DO have a lot of responsibility on LJ in various places, I have come to realize that the only reason I haven't been writing is the simple fact that I haven't taught myself to write whether or not I feel like I can come up with something fantastic. 'Cause, really--that's an unattainable goal ANYWAY. The honest truth is that I don't want writing to be an 'in the mood' thing, I want it to be a thing I do a bit of every day.

Exactly!

I've got quite a few prior commitments, but I realized that if I ever wait until I have free time to try and write something longer than a one-shot (which I've never done btw, I'm quie nervous) I'd never do it.

Though for some reason I had it in my head that it had to be original fiction. I may stick with that, even if fanfiction might be easier for me. I'm not sure now.

[darsynia.livejournal.com]

To be honest, with all the votes for Original Fic (something I really wasn't sure I would have the guts for), it's VERY encouraging, and I just may need to try it out. 'Cause, like they say on the site, usually we aspirers (new word++) need that extra push to go for something scary like that.

And... well... I already tend toward the lonnnngggg in fanfiction, so that's not much of a challenge.

[rj-lupins-kat.livejournal.com]

You're a wonderful writer. And while I love to read your work on Sirius & Hermione (I'm printing out TSIK), it would be rewarding for you and quite interesting to me to see you write an original piece. I'm curious as to where you'd go with it, what type of characters you'd create.

You've interesting, creative ideas and I'd love to see where you'd take them.

But whatever you decide, good luck and I look foward to seeing it should you deign to share. ;-)

-kat

[darsynia.livejournal.com]

Awww thank you! I am very surprised and encouraged by the (tied now at 9/9) votes for Original fic. As much as I think it would be fun to write another HP novel, it may not be the challenge that trying to come up with something original would be...

I think that at this point, even if fanfiction pulls into the lead, I will probably still go for the OF.

Scary? You betcha. A real challenge? Definitely.

*MAJOR hugs*

ps. The votes for fanfic are equally awesome... *has no intention of impugning them, hehe*

[rj-lupins-kat.livejournal.com]

Excellent!

[framedinblood.livejournal.com]

What about a Marauder fic with pairings? Sirius/Remus, Luicus/Narcissa, Severus/Bellatrix/Rodolphus, etc.

[evelynlela.livejournal.com]

Hi,
olli_ander introduced me to the insanity that is NaNoWriMo... as such I am at least as insane as you might decided you are. Although most likely I am far more insane than that. I chose Original fic because, well, it's likely that you might enjoy that more, -and you did ask us to consider the matter- even if it is –in my opinion- far harder than fanfic.
Anyhow hope you have fun with the madness that shall probably prevail next month.
~Eva

[darsynia.livejournal.com]

Awesome! It's always worth a try, right? Is your NaNo username 'Evelynlela?' I'll be sure to add you as a writing buddy ^^

I think I'll very likely end up writing original fic just for the challenge, like you said, even though the fanfic votes are pulling ahead! ;)

[daughteroffaith.livejournal.com]

AW I sent back a comment that said of course you could :( I missed you

[darsynia.livejournal.com]

(ohcrapIscreenedthefirstoneandcompletelyforgotthatitwouldmeanyoucouldn'treply)

Translation of above: oops!

Oh crap, I bet that was right around the time LJ wasn't sending comment notifications. *headdesk* I'm so sorry! I hope you had a great time, a day devoted just to you is always a great thing, especially when the people involved all care for you like crazy! Gregory wishes you well, and so do I :) How's your mom doing?

Gregory ended up scheduling our first time ever having guests over on the same day (we bought a grill and have *gasp* a clean house /boggle)--it was Bill (who was a groomsmen, he escorted Katie) and his girlfriend Kim, and their three year old daughter, Lily. Lily watched Gregory play on our piano and wouldn't you know she started playing too, as a THREE YEAR OLD, and nothing sounded bad. She played with G and it was the most adorable thing ever...

[daughteroffaith.livejournal.com]

Ah that sounds cute. Mom is good she's my coach. I'm going to update LJ on how I am lots to write

[sortingoutodd.livejournal.com]

Thought this might be an ok place to leave a comment... you are doing Nano in my area as am I and I wanted to know if you minded me friending you? I sort of skimmed some of the above posts, and I think that we have a bit in common? ::hopeful:: Let me know.

[darsynia.livejournal.com]

Certainly :) I'm on a tad bit of hiatus (I'm betting you can figure out why, as evidenced by my recent posts) but will probably come back to LJ around the beginning of the month :)

Feel free to also friend darsys_nano for actual excerpts if you're interested, and I look forward to cheering you on in November!

[sortingoutodd.livejournal.com]

I'll be happy to add that one to my list too.

And I hesitated to say this but since you seem fairly open about your situation on your LJ, if you ever want or need an understanding ear, feel free to ping me. I might not understand the severity of your particular situation, but I've been in similar binds.

Take care hon, and good luck on Nano! Only three days till the start!