NaNoWriMo always surprises me. Every Fall, it hovers around the corner like one of our kittens, furry butt wiggling in preparation for The Pounce and, the minute November 1 arrives, it attacks my conscience. I always want to be a NaNoWriMo writer. I’ve occasionally planned to participate. It just never works out.
Bad Drema. No cookie.
Maybe it’s just me. I know I’m not the only writer who has a busy life outside my writing projects, but since 2018 opened its doors, I’ve jumped in with both feet to multiple twitter pitch parties. I submitted to Pitch Wars. I joined Critters, where I am an active critique participant. I’ve taken at least three in-depth classes at The Muse Center, all of which called for critiquing of other writers’ works, and critiqued a full novel for a fellow Critter.
By the time November came around, I didn’t have a massive enough project to tackle for NaNoWriMo to seem doable. Yes, there is the third book in The Founder’s Seed arc. I’ve outlined it, but until book one is picked up (or self-published), and the second one is closer to that end, book three shall remain in the planning stage.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve been idle. Oh no. This year, I’ve completed another set of revisions on TFS book one, and completed a first draft on book two, which came in at just a smidge over 100K words. I’ve written four new short stories, revised six others, and started three more. That feels like a lot, to me. I just didn’t do it all in thirty days. (Hey, we can’t all be Brandon Sanderson.) I’m not terribly effective when it comes to time-management, so I write when/where I can, and don’t much care what the calendar says.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the idea of NaNoWriMo, and gleefully cheer on all those who participate. Truth be told, I’d love to take it on in 2019 (or 2020). There may yet be a year for that but, apparently for me, this is not the one.
In truth, I’ve been in something of a slump since the middle of September. Work and kittens and an assortment of Life Challenges have all gotten between me and my keyboard. But I suppose that happens to us all, on occasion. The trick is not to let it get you down. I keep telling myself this. So far, it’s working.
Did you participate in NaNoWriMo? If so, Yay You! What was your final tally for the whole month? Share your NaNo stories here … that way I can at least celebrate vicariously through your success!
Time Flies photo by Angeleses