75 minutes to write a novel

[Paul Whybrow]

This article describes an event that's taking place on Saturday 8th August. A group of writers are going to attempt to create a science-fiction novel in 75 minutes.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/aug/04/nine-worlds-geekfest-nanowrimo-chris-farnell

I freely admit that I don't quite see the point of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), apart from the discipline involved which might help some feckless authors. This concentrated form of writing by committee, for that's what it essentially is, may be fun but how can it produce anything of worth? Surely it will be like piling all of the ingredients in your food cupboard into making a stew...

I've always had a dim view of committees, having served on a fair few, and I collected a few quotes about them :

'What is a committee? A group of the unwilling, picked from the unfit to do the unnecessary.'

Richard Harkness

'A committee is a cul-de-sac down which ideas are lured and then quietly strangled.'

Sir Barnett Cocks

'A committee is a group of men who, individually can do nothing, but collectively can meet and decide that nothing can be done.'

Anonymous

'If you can avoid a decision, do so. If you can get somebody else to avoid a decision, don't avoid it yourself. If you cannot get one person to avoid a decision, appoint a committee.'

Anonymous

 

[Nicole Wilson]

Ha, when I first saw the title of the thread, I thought it was going to be about James Patterson!

The point I see with NaNoWriMo is just that - get the friggin words on the page. A lot of people are stumped by fear disguised as writers block, and this is the only way they can get the book out. When I write my first drafts, I have to do the same thing, though not in a month: write without editing. Otherwise, I'd never finish my books.

This committee thing is interesting. I know I'd never be able to write a book without the involvement of other people. My hubby and I bounce ideas off each other all the time, so all of our books have influence from the other. Not quite the same thing that's going on here, but close.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

Hah, I laughed at your James Patterson comment. He created a great character in Alex Cross, but I rather gave up on reading him when he brought in hired guns to 'collaborate' with him. I tried reading one of these co-authored efforts and it read like the bare bones of a plot, with no details and so formulaic that I'm surprised the spine didn't bear the instruction 'just add water.'

 

[Nicole Wilson]

I've never actually read any of Patterson's books. For him to be so successful, I'm sure the books he writes are pretty good. I just don't have the time right now. I'm finally getting into a couple new authors (well, new to me - Michael Connelly has been writing for a while) and there's just not enough time in the day. *sad sigh*

 

[Carol Rose]

I liked his earlier work much better than the stuff he puts out now. He has ghost writers or something along those lines, and it's definitely not the same as it used to be.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

I've never actually read any of Patterson's books. For him to be so successful, I'm sure the books he writes are pretty good. I just don't have the time right now. I'm finally getting into a couple new authors (well, new to me - Michael Connelly has been writing for a while) and there's just not enough time in the day. *sad sigh*

Michael Connelly is great, one of my favourite thriller writers. It's helps to read the Hieronymous Bosch series in order, as there's various ongoing stories weaved through them. The same is true of John Connolly, with his detective Charlie Parker. Louis and Angel help Charlie out, and they're the oddest couple in crime fiction - both funny and intimidating.
I also recommend anything by James Lee Burke and Dennis Lehane. I know what you mean though - too many books and not enough time. And we're adding to the problem, by writing more!

 

[Nicole Wilson]

Michael Connelly is great, one of my favourite thriller writers. It's helps to read the Hieronymous Bosch series in order, as there's various ongoing stories weaved through them. The same is true of John Connolly, with his detective Charlie Parker. Louis and Angel help Charlie out, and they're the oddest couple in crime fiction - both funny and intimidating.
I also recommend anything by James Lee Burke and Dennis Lehane. I know what you mean though - too many books and not enough time. And we're adding to the problem, by writing more!

Bummer.... I just bought The Burning Room by Michael Connelly hoping to start with that one. Guess I'll have to go back and get book #1, too.

I've only read one Dennis Lehane: Shutter Island. Loved it and read it before the movie came out. I shall have to put these on my list as well!

 

[Quillwitch]

Seeing it´s a group activity, it doesn´t sound as scary.