NaNoWriMo Update

First, congrats to those who have reached the 50,000 word count and won NaNoWriMo!

A big, heartfelt WOOHOOOO!!! to you all. (I'm looking at you Donna Weaver :) I am so very proud of you!

As of today, Wednesday, November 21, 2012 I have a total of 8,243 words. Not jaw dropping by any means but I am proud. Most days I start my regular schedule at 5:30AM and don't have a moment to sit until 8:30 in the evening. That's when I start writing. There are some nights when "butt in chair" meets "head on desk." Last Friday night, I was on the desktop in my computer room and my 16 year-old was on the laptop. After a while I heard, "Mom, you're sleeping!" I was slumped to the side of my chair with my eyes closed. Not a very productive night.

According to my NaNo stat indicator I'm 41,757 words behind, which means I'll finish my novel on March 7, 2013. Okay then. March 7, 2013 it is.

I didn't mean to turn this into one of those me, me, me posts that I try to avoid. The point is, I'm not trying to justify the fact that I'm not going to win NaNoWriMo. I knew that on October 31st. I'd like to direct you to Tasha Seegmiller's blog post titled Success and Failure. Her last two paragraphs (before the bolded questions) are exactly how I approach November.

Tasha's awesome words:

So, to those of you who thrive on cranking out words at light speed, I applaud you.  I'm in awe of you because I'm not now nor will I ever be that fast.  And to those of you who are a bit more like me, just remember the key is to keep moving forward, writing our best in the way that allows that to happen.  And while we sit on the side of the freeway, watching the other writers fly past us with MS's in hand, we can still celebrate our progress as well.

In September, my word count was 0

In October, my word count was 0

November, so far 8243

This month, which is not by any means over, I've pushed myself to write every day and I'm seeing results - real results. And I'm ecstatic! This story is taking shape and I'm pumped to continue this pace even past November until the story is finished.

To those who have finished or are well on the way, I'm in awe of you. Well done!

But if you're like me, dreadfully behind, and you're thinking, "Why bother? I'm not going 'to win' NaNo anyway. I say, "You're wrong." You've already won. Keep going! We'll 'not win' together!

Are you still deep in NaNoWriMo? Tell me how it's going.

Talk Me Out of NaNoWriMo

I wasn't going to participate this year.

What's stopping me? I have an outline, character profiles, etc.                  

My schedule is just too crazy.                                                                     

So is everyone else's schedule. AND soccer season just ended.                  

I have no down time to do anything for myself as it is.                                  

I could definitely squeeze some time in every day for writing. It will mean sacrificing reading, getting up early, STAYING OFF THE INTERNET.
I can't decided how to start my novel - I've tried three times.

Try four and go with it. It's a first draft!
I can't write that fast.
I can't write any slower.
This isn't really my style of writing.
How's my current 'style' working for me? It's not.
What if I fail?
So what? I can try again.
I know I'll never reach 50,000 words in 30 days.
I will have more words written than I do now. And who knows? This might be THE year.
Am I doing this?
Okay, fine. Unless someone talks me out it.

As you can see, I can't think of a good reason NOT to participate in NaNoWriMo this year. Maybe you could come up with one for me and I'll refute it. So, I guess I'm in. Who else is participating? Are you excited or nervous?                             

                                                                                                                                                 

Blank Slate *(IWSG)

Just a few thoughts that came to mind while reflecting on 2011 and looking forward into 2012.


2011 is behind you.
memories, honey sweet, bathe in them
let them linger into the future
memories, dark desolation, let them fade, wash away.
they no longer have power over you

2012 is here, a fresh beginning.
full of hope, renewed energy
a second, third, or 10th chance
whatever is needed
ready to greet your dreams.
let them unfold, take charge, carry you away.



For a complete list of *Insecure Writer's Support Group participants, click on the side image which will lead you to Alex J. Cavanaugh's blog.

Resolutions and Where to Put Them

Not there! Sheesh.

 I have nothing against resolutions.
In fact, I make them every year: self-examination, goal setting, plans for the future, how to live as a better person. And I will do that again this year, pondering the ways I feel I need to stretch and grow as a person.

 Usually I write them down; in a journal or last year, here on the blog. But this year, the only written resolution I'm making is this...

...and it's going right on my computer.

My plan is to take each day as it comes and do my best. The rest is icing on the cake.

Happy 2012 to you all!