So how do I view this? Practically, I know I should be stoked that I have gone from being one-third of the way through my manuscript (remembering that I cheated a little and am not starting from scratch) to nearly halfway through. When you're talking about 90,000 words, anything from 40,000 upwards is 'nearly half' if you ask me. So that's a win.
On the other hand, I'm not at 15,000 words - which would take me from 'nearly halfway' to halfway-for-real. On Sunday night, I was feeling stressed about my lack of progress. Ironing my way through a pile of uniforms, I could feel the tension rising as I tried to work out how I could make up the shortfall. It had been a long day (the fete and all), I was tired and the prospect of sitting down to knock out 3000 words was not appealing. So there's a loss.
It was then that it hit me. I'd written nearly 10,000 words in a week. My manuscript, which had been rolling around in my bottom drawer (metaphorically speaking) for months, is back in focus. I'm making progress. Another win.
So far today, I've managed only 500 words. I reckon I can eke out another 1000 before bed. It's not going to make me a NaNo Star. But it's 1500 words that I didn't have this morning.
It's a long and painful process, this novel-writing business. You have to take the wins where you can get them.
How are my NaNo friends travelling? Share your wins!
I just wrote 512 words in 24 minutes for #nanowrimo. Today was my first day at it. I'm not going to come close to 50,000 words but if I stick with this I'll have written 10,000 words by the end of the month. I'm pretty happy with that.
ReplyDeleteI am not nanowrimo'ing, so I am even more in awe......xx
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to think about what you haven't done, much more positive to acknowledge what you have created. Congratulations on your 10,000 and getting that manuscript rolling.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Lucy, I'm in awe. Accept and in fact, rejoice in the progress I say! x
ReplyDeleteStruggling, too, as you know. I'm still slightly exultant that I'm this far in, which is about 7000 words and nowhere near where I should be by now, but I'm doing a damn good job of beating myself up.
ReplyDeleteAt least, I was, until a handy article reminded me that no-one says I have to have a finished, submission-ready novel on Nov. 30 (just that little monkey in my head).
Now, I'm looking at what I have so far, and seeing how that might be plotted out to take me to something that might, one day, concievably be wrestled into a cohesive story.
Hopefully, a 50,000 word something... ;)
You are so right. It is good to take the wins where you can.
ReplyDeleteLike you I am not starting from scratch so won't be claiming any winning badges and am less concerned with the word count than feeling grateful Nanowrimo has given me back the routine of daily writing which is what I needed. Seeing people's progress pop up on the screen on the nano hashtag was getting slightly offputting so I closed it down.
I had about 40,000 to start, am aiming for between 80-90,000 so that will make 50,000ish in a month. I do fret when I can't do any because other things are happening but like you say, it's swings and roundabouts. I know I've got a clear stretch of time this weekend coming up.
My favourite Dr Seuss quote is 'today is your day, your mountain is waiting, so get on your way'.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds to me like your embracing your mountain - challenge is a good thing...stay positive :-) xxx
Your wins are looking good, and it is wonderful that your manuscript is back in focus which I think is a very wonderful thing in itself.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with it, hope you make some wonderful progress in the days to come.
Absolutely, you need to celebrate your achievement. I am not entering the competition myself as I didn't know about it until after it started, but I am still giving it a go on my own terms to see how I go. Only 2,000 words so far so your efforts are pretty impressive.
ReplyDeleteReally at the end of the day the idea behind this is just to force us to take action and get writing. I think that's a good thing, no matter how you slice it!
I feel this. Although I've just made it to 15,000, each day I find myself stressed at the thought that I still so much to go. I guess it will test whether I really am writing material. Just found your blog and am looking forward to getting to know your material!
ReplyDeleteI wrote about 500 words on my first day and then I got paid work, then I found out I'm moving, and I'm doing my overdue tax and ... oh all sorts of stuff. So I congratulate on doing so well ... and keep at it. I've decided I'll have to do a december nanowrimo instead!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not doing Nano, everyone seems so stressed about it. If it's not enjoyable and ya'll are resenting the writing process and feeling either guilty or overwhelmed by it, then is it worth it?
ReplyDeleteI gave myself a deadline of December 10 to be finished the 80,000 I set out to write, because I wanted to go on holidays. Since then I've moved holiday forward to the 6th. I'm up to 40,000 but I won't write any day I don't feel like - one day I wrote 10,000 several others I wrote NONE.
I don't think you can do your best work when you're just trying to meet a word count. It's like high school history assignment trying to make 200 words into 500.
Do. What. You. Love. And if you don't love, don't do.
Goodness I don't know how you do it! I too am in awe that you can write that many words let alone find the time for it!
ReplyDeleteBloody good job. 10,000 words in a week is a top effort. My fav writing quote is: 'Don't get it right, get it written'. It has kept me going many a time. Turning off your inner critic for long enough to get some ink on paper (or words on screen) is half the battle won. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome. I was asked to write 500-700 words as a sample for a potential writing gig... And while I can talk up a storm, and write thousands of words when it's something I'm intimately attached to (like a long lecture to my boyfriend when we're in an argument, LOL), I found it funny how writing "on demand" is a tad more challenging, to say the least! You go girl!!
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming when you say fibro you mean fibromyalgia. I've had it for years along with lupus for years. I'd love to converse. Shoot me an email from my profile email. Have a pain free day or at least less.
ReplyDelete10000 words in a week is impressive by anyone's standards.I reckon you are totally on track. a couple of heavier writing days and you will be exactly on target. Keep it up. Purge out the words now so you can tweak them before Xmas :)
ReplyDelete10,000 words? Well done! I'd be stumped completely after the first sentence. I'm a reader, not a writer.
ReplyDeleteWell done. I want to NaNoWriMo next year but I am very afraid tht I will have nothing to write.
ReplyDeleteI am a tortoise, not a hare, as you know- and if I write 5000 words in a week that's a good week for me. I also simply can't see how anyone can write every single day for 30 days, especially if they have kids and a home and another (paying) job. Take the win! Words on the page is always a win. Look after the words, and the novel will (eventually) look after itself.
ReplyDeletePS. I made it out of Syria. Am so relieved I can finally take off this hijab.
I am so impressed with writers. 10000 words puts me in awe! Definitely a "Crowning Moment!" I need to find the name of your book. How's it all going? This post was back in 2010 and so I'm curious if you've published yet? I know you will, because you are so enjoyable to read.
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