I might just reach that 50,000 words by the end of today, but I have a lot of other stuff to do as well…like getting groceries…like doing laundry…like coming up with something besides leftover lasagna for dinner since we’re already eaten that stuff two days in a row.
Nothing against NaNoWriMo though. I’ll have at least 50,000 words of first draft quality that actually has enough plot to work with.
I’ve learned that I don’t need blocks of time at least four hours long to write as I’ve always claimed. A one hour session works just fine.
I’ve discovered a deadline is a powerful motivator, so I plan to create more of those for myself.
Blocking out my whole month’s schedule and marking writing times with a bright pink marker was a useful tool to avoid procrastination.
Here’s the big question. Can I carry the almost daily writing habit and the momentum forward? If I fail to do that, I’ll be reporting for Camp NaNoWriMo this summer for a refresher course in commitment. Or maybe I’ll just go to camp for the fun of it. Can’t hurt.
Like I mentioned to another writer friend, I’m writing at my own pace because my NaNo’s got no mojo…
Good luck getting there!! 🙂
I do admire people who participate and are actually able to finish NaNoWriMo.
If I didn´t work, I might give it a try, but with part-time work and bad health, it is just too much stress to expose myself to. I do try to set minor goals for myself, however, e.g. something I want to achieve in a week or a month, and I find it does help me to achieve more.
Great job! One year, one year I’ll do NaNoWriMo. I swear 🙂
Now link up your post 🙂
Lasagna is great three days in a row and who needs groceries anyway. Congrats on your word count.
Margot — it’s a very jarring pink, too. Can’t escape writing time.
Mary, as a late bloomer in the writing world, every little accomplishment makes me feel like I’ve climbed a mountain.
Angela — it’s kind of fun too.
Lorelei, I didn’t start writing until I retired from real world work, so I’m still a baby writer compared to you. I’m learning, though. It took me two years to finish my most recent manuscript, and I hope to do much better this time around.
Alex, that’s the plan.
Hi April — I will try to get it in better shape before I start submitting chapters. This is definitely sfd quality.
Hart, with kids coming for 5 days over Christmas and the upcoming installation of my new kitchen floor, I suspect I won’t finish this first draft until January. So far I only have 10 writing days blocked out for December.
Elspeth, my self-discipline took a hike when I retired, so I’m still trying to lure it back for good.
Hi Kay, some of my chores have already waited 27 days. I guess three more can’t hurt. 🙂
The cheering section says keep those words flowing. The rest of the stuff will wait.
It all comes down to self-discipline and then sticking with it. It sounds as if you’ve discovered what works for you – congrats!
Laundry? Is that that pile of stuff on the floor in the room with the washer and dryer?
Glad you’re making great progress! I agree that both deadline and ‘excused writing blocks of an hour’ really help with the progress–I plan to keep up both. I am at 63K, so I’ve technically won, though I really, really want to finish the darned first draft, and that may require another 10K, which will be a challenge to do by Wed. (though hubby works Tue and Wed. night, so that will help some)
Good luck keeping the habits up!
AWESOME, Pat!! Knew you could do it and looking forward to reading it in group–Congrats!
I bet you hit the target today!
*big sigh*
What did writers do w/o NaNo before?
They sat down and pushed themselves to write. It is a discipline, and it cannot be taken lightly. It is one that you have now learned to apply because you felt you needed to do it to proove yourself against others in NANO.
Now, make your own deadlines and stick to them. Stick to some sort of daily writing schedule.
I’ve been writing for 30+ years, and have done fine w/o NaNo. I know my limitations and I’m happy with the time alloted me (as I have a f.t. job, and have to do all these other things as well) If I can get a novel written, and get it into a finished draft in 6 months, so can you and anyone else out there who wants to do it.
Do like the ad says:JUST DO IT!
I really want to try this next year, it seems like such a great challenge. Congrats!
Congratulations! You did great.
Pat – I’ve learned, too, that you can get a lot accomplished in just an hour. It takes some work, but it can be done. I’m really happy for you that you’ve been making as much progress as you have, too. Nicely-done! And I like your idea of actually blocking out writing times – and in pink, too! I should think about doing something like that…