Why YOU Should Write a Novel!
A lot of leaders I know don’t read fiction, and they sure as heck don’t write it. Most bloggers I’ve gotten to know over the last year don’t read much of anything they don’t see on a computer screen or on a Kindle.
I’ve written before about the correlation between leadership and books on my friend, David Lermy’s blog, but I wanted to touch on it again, with November being National Novel Writing Month!
If you’ve never heard of it, National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo) is a movement dedicated to helping thousands of people across the world express themselves through creativity.
The object is to write a novel of at least 50,000 words in 1 month – or 30 days to be more specific. Why? I’ve heard it said that everyone has at least one novel in them. How many times have you walked out of a great movie and thought, “I’d like to write something that makes people feel the way I do now!”?
Okay, maybe just me.
It’s more about creativity than the novel.
Here’s the thing about events like NaNoWriMo: they get people together on the one task of writing an in-depth story because it gets those people more creative. They’re using parts of their brains that they don’t use in normal everyday circumstances.
Having written 2 novels myself, one you can find here and one that will release next year, I love experiences like NaNoWriMo, but I also understand that using that creativity has helped me in my day jobs, my problem-solving, and even in my relationships. Creativity unleashes chemicals in your brain that make you more productive.
What’s your story?
Everyone has a story in them. And that includes you. Maybe it’s your own story. Maybe it involves someone you know. And maybe it’s your way of taking a trip, having an experience, or trying something you’ve always wanted to but never done.
Whatever your circumstance, I’d encourage you to give a novel a try. Give it an honest try. And NaNoWriMo.com will give you the tools to do it. And you can find support on their forums and right here on this site.
Let’s chat:
Have you ever written a novel? Do you have a story in your head? How could writing a book help you become more productive and creative? Talk about any of these in the comments below.
About the author
Bryan Thompson has been helping people to achieve their goals for more than twelve years. As an associate pastor for over a decade, he has helped people set big goals for their lives, figure out their ONE most important thing in life, and take massive ACTION! If you are stuck in your life, contact Bryan here!
Lori Gosselin
November 11, 2011 • 9:38 am
Hi Bryan,
I always intended to write fiction but what I published recently wasn’t fiction at all! Maybe the fiction will come later
By the way, I just one-clicked your book to my Kindle! I’m really looking forward to the read! Thanks!
Lori
Bryan
November 11, 2011 • 12:43 pm
Lori, you’ll know when the right story hits you. Thanks so much for getting the Kindle version! Hope you like it!
Rachel Leonard
November 11, 2011 • 12:58 pm
Hey Bryan,
I opened my email this morning and was like…what?!?! This was prophetic in every sense of the word… Thank you for the encouragement. (I know that was a little cryptic. Suffice it to say, I’m tracking with you and the next season has “writing” written all of over it!) By the way, I miss you and Kristin…hopefully we can connect sometime soon!
Be Blessed,
Rachel
Bryan
November 11, 2011 • 7:32 pm
Rachel, glad I could help you get inspired.
Talk to Kristin. Perhaps you guys can connect soon.
Alex Blackwell | The BridgeMaker
November 11, 2011 • 6:42 pm
Bryan,
Believe it or not, I recently started my novel (more info on my blog soon).
I’m looking forward to reading your novel right now!
Alex
Bryan
November 11, 2011 • 7:33 pm
Alex, that sound awesome! I’d love to read it when you finish it! Thanks for the interest in mine! I really appreciate it! Take care, buddy.
Josh Sarz
November 12, 2011 • 12:47 am
I’ve written about 10 short stories on notebooks back when I was in high school. It was about knights, dragons and stuff. I might try and write something in the future.
Bryan
November 14, 2011 • 3:54 am
Josh, your collection sounds pretty cool. I’d be interested in reading them sometime. Thanks for sharing!
Steve
November 13, 2011 • 4:08 pm
I wanted to try NaNoWriMo last year and this year, but I haven’t been able to since I’m way too busy with school. I once tried to write a play, but I didn’t finish it. I’m hoping to write a novel next November because I know I have one in me.
Bryan
November 14, 2011 • 3:55 am
Steve, thanks for sharing your thoughts and frustrations. You’re right, NaNoWriMo isn’t for everyone. To be honest, I don’t really have the time either. I have written novels but they weren’t done in 30 day periods of time.
Not by a long shot. I’ve decided to do what I can and let the month serve as a fun launch pad for it. Thanks for sharing and welcome to the blog!
Jennifer Brown Banks
November 14, 2011 • 3:15 pm
Bryan,
Great post as usual, my friend.
I’ve never really aspired to the NANOWRIMO thing, but admire those that do. Keep up the good fight and the good work!
Bryan
November 14, 2011 • 7:26 pm
Thanks Jennifer! I appreciate the support, but to be honest, I’ve had to come to accept that my schedule is just too busy to make the November 30 deadline. But I’ve been able to get my new plot off the ground. It forced me to do that much.
Chukwuka Okwukwe Chukwuka
November 20, 2011 • 3:48 am
Hi! Bryan,
Writing a novel is cool but weaving the plots so systematically that it actually makes the reader wanting and suspense-filled is another job on its own – which you get paid for if your book is good enough.
I’m still a Bsc. student, so I can’t write any novel for now. I’ll graduate next year and I believe I’ll work out a novel.
Regards,
Chukwuka.
Bryan
November 22, 2011 • 5:25 pm
Hi Chukwuka, good deal on graduating. you’re right, that should be a top priority, but writing a novel will be a good experience for you in the future. Stretches your mind and creativity! Thanks for your comment!
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