Does not a sky like this lift your spirits, make you want to sing and dance and smile at strangers? I feel like today will be glorious and, I'm sharing that hope with you.
Confession: I shot this photo (with my uber-cellphone) last evening not this morning but since the glory has lasted, it must be true.
Stats: I wrote another 2,035 words yesterday, bringing my total to 8,322 in four days. Not bad, huh? Now admittedly a couple of my NaNoWriMo buddies have shot past 11K!!! And a couple of others are struggling to get started. I'm just trying to keep a pace that makes 50K by Nov.30 within the realm of possibility.
Things I've learned or reinforced: We can do more than we think we can. Deadlines really do motivate. The buddy-system gives you strength. Hmmmm, I sound like a motivational speaker or Army recruiter.
Answer to nay-sayers: There are people who poo-poo the NaNo approach, saying all you end up with is a pile of poo. And it is true that by writing non-stop without percolation time and editing will result in some crap, but there have been novels published that were first-drafted in NaNo. The trick is to toss out what doesn't work and plan on heavy revising, which are not really unusual tactics for writers.
What I hope to come away with is the fun of slamming out a story and sharing that experience with other writers, along with a better understanding of how to self-motivate. We all know how easy it is to find excuses. If you play the NaNo game you must work around, over or through the excuses.
And you've got to hope your muse doesn't get tired of being pushed and say, "Later, dude." Anyone have tips on how to keep your muse happy? Plenty of sleep. Walks under pretty skies. Music on the i-Pod. I'm working it, believe me. That finish line is a long way off.
19 comments:
Wow! That is an uber phone!
While I'm not doing NaNo, I certainly applaud those who are. It's not a system that would work for me, but anything that can get writers to dedicate so much of their time to writing is a good thing!
Beautiful photo. This is my first time doing NaNoWriMo, and I'm loving it so far. I really think there are several benefits to working this way, but for now I'm keeping my mouth shut until I get through the whole process for fear of being wrong. At least I'm having fun!
Beth: I can hardly say how impressed I am with the camera in that phone. I had no idea.
I'm not sure if the nano system works for me but it's sure making me push, for better or worse.
Davin: Yay, another newbie like me! I can't wait to hear how this month plays out for you. And another Yay for having fun!
All the best with the writing. Keep going keep going... :) Well done so far.
Gorgeous photo! Keep rocking NaNo! :)
Gorgeous picture! And congratulations of the fantastic progress!
Tabitha: I am I am...:)
Sarah: Yeah, back with another one of those block rockin beats. How long can I dance, hmm?
Natalie: Thanks. You're doing great, too!
Exquisite pic, pal. You're doing it for all the right reasons.
Work it! Uhhuh! Keep the muse alive! :)
Buddy system DOES give you strength. I agree wholeheartedly. You are ahead of me on word count, but I'm not stressing myself out about it. I'm just enjoying the process. :)
You and your muse are a good team in this Na-No race. Beautiful phone photo.
Robyn: I'm trying to keep my head on straight, even if it's dizzy with all this writing. I promise not to kill my muse.
Karen: Writing can be so lonely. It's amazing what blog and crit and NaNo buddies can do for the spirit. I know from what you've posted that you can write up a storm so you will when the time is right. If we don't enjoy it, there really is no point.
Donna: It does seem that my muse is not running away pulling her hair out. So far, so good. Thx.
Tricia, my muse is willing, but my body is weak!! I am sooooo tired this morning, and going to work, trying to crank out another 1000 words during lunch, coming home, typing them up.....feeling like a zombie.
But I think it will feel so good to have the back end of this book cranked out. (At least that's what I'm counting on.
MAY THE MUSE BE WITH YOU. Now I'm getting all Star Warsy on you.
Glad you can write to the tune of, Tomorrow. :) Just thought I'd pop back over and remind you it it STILL in your head. :) Bwa ha ha ha!
Thank you Tricia for being there for me through this stuff I have been going through. Thank you for saying the things you said over at my blog. *great big hug for ya* I'm so thankful I know you. :)
Shelley: I think it's impressive to crank out 1,000 words on lunch break. Give yourself a gold star. But I know that zombie feeling. Heavy writing time can put a person in a dream-like state anyway and when you add the NaNo push it does feel zombie-like. I was thinking that as I walked yesterday. Put one foot in front of the other. Do it again.
Robyn: You minx, you. Now it IS back in my head.
I'm grateful to have met people like you, too. You bring smiles with you.
Wow, Go Tricia! I was shocked to find that Zumba makes my muse happy! (never been an exercise person, but boy was it fun!)
Thanks, Corey! So do you Zumba in a class or at home with a DVD? Sounds fun, fun, fun. And congrats again on the book sale. Woo-hoo!
That's a cel phone picture? I'm amazed!
So true, "we can do more than we think we can." As many times as I read this, I still get mired in insecurities and "what ifs"...Way to go on your word count! Sweet news!
You're doing great! And I love that photo.
Terresa: Yes, that phone continues to amaze. Most of the pictures on the blog lately have come from it. I get mired, too, believe me. It's always a battle, but some days I win. And that is sweet.
Stephanie: Thanks! I can't believe it's not even a full week into it yet. It's overwhelming and hard and wonderful all at the same time.
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