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November 05, 2006
NaNoWriGo!
Is it something in the water? In the air? In turning 52? I have no idea. But I do know that this year has been jam-packed with forays outside my comfort zone. Last March, I spent a week sleeping on an army cot, while helping with clean-up after Hurricane Katrina. This afraid of heights girl climbed up on roofs with no problem, to help shovel off shingles for salvage. In August, after lots of training, I walked 60 miles in three days in the 3 Day Walk for the Cure. An added stretch there was committing to raise $2200, which I did and then some.
In August, new friend and colleague, Stephanie Bodeen, told me about NaNoWriMo and how she'd ultimately gotten a two-book deal out of her November 05 efforts.
Now, as thrilled as I am to have a new book out and as thrilled as I am about how well HATTIE BIG SKY is doing, I was beginning to feel like a fraud. A writer who doesn't write. I was marketing like crazy, but writing was nearly non-existent.
So I signed on for NaNoWriMo. On October 31, I had no idea what I was going to write about but I had three characters in mind. I woke up at 3:30 am on November 1, ready to write. I did go back to sleep for a couple of hours -- do you know how dark and cold it is at that time of day?! -- but when I did hit the keyboard, I cranked out 2471 words! The next day, I hit 2690. My pace has slowed some (I've been in the 1600-1800 word range) but the words keep coming. And I wake up every single morning, dying to find out what's going to happen next.
Now, I still have my teaching, marketing and other obligations. But do you know what I'm finding out? I can get most everything done and still crank out 1600 words. Every single day.
I suspect we are all capable of writing some set number of words each day. And just think where we'd be if the commitment to that goal was a year round thing, rather than just for one month!
If I can do it, you can do it. Go- WriMo!
Posted by kirby at November 5, 2006 08:41 AM
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