So, quick update. Day 1 down, and I have a grand total of 1,884 words.
The Office of Letters and Light should have a word count widget up soon, so I’ll add that to the site once it’s available.
Right now, NaNoWriMo might seem easy, and it is at first. It will get harder. Just keep plugging away and write. Even if it is for only 10 minutes, that time and the words you write will add up.
Oh, and tomorrow, I’m going to post a fun NaNo snack. I just made it for myself tonight.
Good luck!
NaNoWriMo is upon us! I’m not a well-known blogger or author, so I’ll keep this brief for you.
With only a few days of planning and plotting left, I wanted to give you an idea of what to expect from me. I’m not a prolific blogger, and that won’t be changing anytime soon. I will try to post some updates as to how I’m doing, and what I’m struggling with. Might be kind of fun to do a mini NaNo journal. Most likely what you’ll see are periodic updates, maybe weekly, as to how I’m doing.
For those of you doing NaNo, Literature and Latte has a trial version of the excellent program Scrivener for NaNo up and running. If you are interested, head here and check it out: http://www.literatureandlatte.com/nanowrimo.php.
Finally, some hints for you as well. 1,667 words a day doesn’t sound like much. There are times it takes forever, and others where it takes no time at all. When you get stuck, move on to another spot in the story. Come back to that point when you’re ready. Make sure you join up with your region, and attend some Write-Ins! This might be the most important! They are a blast, get you out in a different environment (which can help your writing) and will introduce you to new people. And last, but not least, have fun. Writing is hard work, but if it’s not fun, it’s not worth it.
Good luck to all of you. May the Words be with you!
So, another gap in posting. I’m sorry!
I really want to do better at this. I’ve actually been really busy with some work projects the last few weeks, which have left me tired, and very little time to do actual writing.
On the plus side, I have been working on that review I mentioned in my last post. I have 2 other reviews in the works as well.
I’m also working on the blog, trying to get links to where you can find me on the various social networks. I didn’t think I was signing up for another job with all this writing stuff. You may now call me stupid for that thought.
Till my next post!
Update at the end of the post!
On #MyWANA the other day, I mentioned that I put my draft of my WIP on my iPod. There was some interest in that, so I thought I’d give you some ideas on how you can do that. I’m saying up front that this is more of a technical article, akin to Patrick Thunstrom’s TweetDeck series (check them out if you want to use that program at all, good stuff). You’ll need to be somewhat familiar with your computer and its programs. In short, there are 2 ways: the easy, and the not as easy way. So, if you want to take the plunge, read on!
I’m afraid that this is going to sound whiny, so I’m sorry if it does. That isn’t my intent. In fact, this post is over a month in the making, not a spur of the moment thought.
What do you desire to do? Are you able to do that, or is there something else you end up doing instead? If the latter, when do you find the time to do those things you want to? This is a never ending issue for people.
Me? I want to write. So, a typical day for me includes being away from home for 9.5 hours or so. 8 of those being work, 1 for lunch, and a generous half-hour for travel. Then once I get home, it’s usually time to eat, play with the kids, clean up, and time for kids to get in bed. I’ll do the dishes after I relax a bit, and then it’s almost bedtime. Toss in there wanting to run, and write? It’s quite a full day, and I have trouble finding time for writing.
I won’t say that there isn’t time to write or that I can’t find it. In fact it’s quite the opposite. I’ve done NaNoWriMo the last three years, and won 2 of those. So there is time, I just don’t discipline myself to use the time I have.
What if I didn’t relax so long, or at all? Sometimes that turns from a short rest into much longer than I want. Instead, go do the dishes right away and just get them done. It would give me more time later.
What if I didn’t spend time playing games or watching movies? Although, I do that for the most part now. I used to be a huge gamer and play a lot in the evening. With the advent of kids and trying to write, I don’t play the way I used to. I could also go into another room while my wife watches a movie so I’m not tempted to watch with her.
What it comes down to is using the time that I have, even if it is only a small amount. Even if it’s only 30 minutes of writing at lunch and 30 minutes of writing in the evening, it is worth it. That time and word count quickly adds up into something significant.
Writing, as is the case of most things in life, is about using the time that you have. I can complain that I don’t have time to write, but that’s not true. I have the time, and I know it. So, instead of taking the time to complain, take the time to actually do something. Instead of doing things that aren’t helpful to your goals, do something that is useful.
I won’t deny that there are times when you really don’t have the time. But, those don’t normally last. And there might be things that you have to put aside for a time. Playing games or watching movies to relax aren’t bad, in themselves. But when I have bigger goals, they aren’t helping me in the long run. Maybe if I ever get to a point where writing is a full time thing, then I could go back to playing games on a more regular basis. But until that time, I am going to have to limit, if not completely cut, those types of things, so I can further my goals.
One last thing. Recently I find myself on the end of wanting to write, but being too depressed or tired, or low energy. Not sure which, or if it’s all of them. So, what do you do? I’m finding that I just have to do: BICHOK. Oh, that could be bad saying it out… But, it means: Behind In Chair, Hands On Keyboard. So, I’m taking my own advice here, and doing just that.
*clack, clack, clack* Looks up. You’re still here? I would like to get some words pounded out tonight. Watches as people leave. Thanks. I’ll have something for all of you at a later date, I promise.