It's the first Wednesday of the month and time for my Insecure Writer's Support Group post. A huge thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for putting together this group. I appreciate the opportunity to share my insecurities on the #IWSG therapy couch and to read how others are doing.
It’s Day 6 of NaNo, and as of yesterday evening, I was sitting at 9,642 words. Just ahead of schedule thanks to eleven hours of flight time and seven hours of layover time since Saturday.
I
did NaNo last year to kickstart an idea I’d been writing in my head for almost
a year. But I let Life constantly distract me from writing it.
51,104
words in one month! And by May my young adult book, Chasing Memories, was published. I didn’t rush it, thanks to a lot
of great advice. Everyone told me to take at least the month of December to let
the NaNo book sit. I didn’t touch it until mid-January.
This
year, I’m writing book two—an idea that’s also been in my head for a year. How
did it get to be November again already?
And
why, when I know I’m capable of writing 50,000 words in a month, do I struggle
to write 10,000 words in a year between NaNos?
Book
three is becoming clearer as I write book two, so I hope I can…
*
Finish NaNo strongly. I’m shooting for 60,000 words this time and a roughly
finished novel.
*
Take December off and then write book 3 in January while editing book 2 around
mid-January.
Now,
if I can just keep the muse pumped up and the insecurity monster at bay, I
should be fine. Such a simple statement to make. Why does Life seem to be in cahoots with my insecurities?
I
hope I can break my bad habits (i.e., making excuses not to write or to write
other things) this time. Any advice?
Wednesdays
are also my ROW80 update days. Current NaNo count: 9,642. Now that I’m back
from an incredible weekend in New York City (photos during my next update), I
plan to return to the #ROW80 sprints (11amPST/2pmEST).
Wishing
all the best to my writing buddies, whether you are doing NaNo or not. May you
have the ideas necessary to fill your days with writing.
6 comments:
Good luck with your goals!
Sounds like you're right on track. ^_^ I've gotten a wee bit ahead. I'm going to take a day off and soon and lie around, soaking up a book.
I think it's a really good idea to reread the previous book. Even though you wrote it, it's amazing how we just can't remember everything.
Tia, my advice about writing is very idiosyncratic, but I don't think there is any one-size-fits-all advice, except "Write."
NaNo is proving very helpful for me in locking my editor in the closet, since I love to polish each words as it forms on the screen. Also, I have often said that I have to write everyday, but I've realized that it should be "touch it every day," because it remains a habit if I outline, or do a character study, or scene list, but if I don't open it up, step into the world, I've started on the path to losing the habit, putting the writing last.
And I get up nearly every morning at 5 to do so. That part is certainly not for everyone, but it works for me as a time there are no other demands on me.
That's my two cents. I'm glad thou enjoyed your trip, and I know you'll nail NaNo!
Glad to know you're working on the sequel to Chasing Memories. I want to know what happens next!
Good luck with NaNo. I find it much easier to write in November too. It makes me wonder exactly what I find to waste my time on for the rest of the year.
Make a schedule and stick to it like crazy glue. Make time every day for writing (try to keep it the same time every day so your muse knows when to show up). It only takes 14 days to form a new habit. :)
Your NaNo progress is GREAT! We should hold a writing contest like that every April or May, too. IBGW would be a great sponsor ;)
WRITE ON!
Great job on your NaNo progress!!I'm a little ahead of the official NaNo goal, but actually behind what my personal goal is. But, I'll get there. It will be nice to see you at the RoW80 sprints again.
That's great progress on NaNoWriMo!! Yay. And I love the idea of writing Book Three as you edit Book Two. I really want to do something like that too.
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