November comes to an end

I didn’t reach 50,000 words; I didn’t even come close. I did, however, learn more about myself as a writer.

I’m careful with my written words. I often write several drafts of e-mails, letters, and even card messages. So when it came to NaNoWriMo, I knew my biggest challenge would be putting away the nagging voice of my inner editor.

I failed miserably.

The excitement of the challenge faded as my frustration grew over the quality of the pages completed. Instead of focusing on the progressing storyline, I found myself going back to the beginning and refining what I had written.

I’m not through with what I’ve started, but I’ll be continuing on my own timeline.

And I’ll be trying NaNoWriMo again next year because I want to be able to write as freely as the challenge requires. I want to know what those unguarded and uncensored moments of inspiration can produce.

Still hopeful

I’m unhappy to report that my writing has not progressed as I’d hoped. Part of me knew that the very second I committed myself to NaNoWriMo life would intervene. I haven’t given up hope, though most likely I’ll end up making a futile dash to the finish line.

Regardless, I am happy with the progress of my novel’s story line. Before NaNoWriMo, I had nothing. Wherever I am come November 30th, my writing won’t stop with the deadline.

I have a story to finish.

Inner dialogue

Quantity over quality.
You can revise later.
Leave it alone.
Keep going.
If you don’t stop counting the words….
Stay away from the internet.
Focus.
It’s not time for a break!
The dog does not need a belly rub.
You can put away the clothes tomorrow.
You just ate.
You just went.
Relax, you can do it.
…
A month of this?!?

Setback

My literary ambitions have been temporarily delayed, but I should be good to go after tomorrow morning.

I’ll make up the word count tomorrow night.

If you don’t know Jack….

I was a late convert to the “24″ following. My brother had mentioned to me in passing that I would like the show, but it wasn’t until August that I netflix‘d the 1st season.

I’m now working my way through the 4th season; life has slowed me down, but I plan to be caught up by the time the 6th season begins in January. (Click here for the trailer.)

I’m dropping a lot this month to make room for NaNoWriMo, but “24″ won’t be one of them.

Breakthrough!

I was driving home from work and listening to the radio when I found the ending to my story. A lot of pieces finally came together, and I am now in mental possession of a satisfying, coherent, solid, and unforced resolution. There is still a lot to flesh out, but all in good time.

All pen and paper are in lockdown until midnight tonight.

"Focus, people. Focus."

I won’t be posting anything knit for a while. This next month, NaNoWriMo, I’ll be focusing on my literary ambitions.

(It’s only funny if you could hear my Russian calculus teacher; “Fuckus, people. Fuckus.”

Let’s get this party started

I’ve been getting ready for NaNoWriMo with some legal outlining and planning.

It’s the most motivated I’ve ever been to get school work done early and out of the way.

It’s not likely to happen again…. at least not until next November.

50,000 words in 30 days

I try to set aside time each day to write, but the next two weeks are going to be impossible. Any time I am not in class or at work will be spent writing the four papers that are due starting November 1st.

The delay is discouraging, but I’m looking forward to November. I’m now officially signed up to participate in NaNoWriMo! I’m not happy with the little progress that I’ve managed to make on my novel, so I’ll be starting over next month with new ideas and a new surge of motivation.

Until then I’ll be churning out papers and taking care of all the assignments I can do ahead of time.

What will you be doing next month?