As you can see by my handy little widget, I’m at 21234 words. Another week of being slightly under par, but I’m not so far behind that I can’t make up the difference. I’ve been treading water. Just keeping afloat, but never really making any progress across the pool.
But! Good news abounds. I only have one large assignment left this semester, and that means my extra-NaNomular writing will no longer interfere with my sweet, sweet fiction.
Lessons learned this week:
1. Caffeine is a cruel mistress: I’m a coffee drinker. Love the stuff. Rich and dark and full of perky goodness. But too much coffee is a bad thing. It makes my brain all wimblery skimperly. Sometimes it helps get my out of a rut, other times it just makes me fidgety and unable to concentrate. Blessing and a curse and all that.
I’m learning to moderate so it isn’t such a major factor in my writing process. Trying to pour less hot liquid energy down my face, and sip more yummy green tea oh so daintily out of mug.
2. My day job really impedes on the creative process: ‘Nuff said.
3. Music can end a slump: I’ve been listening to a lot of classical and instrumental music, which seems to keep me on a track, or at least point me towards the rails. The stuff without lyrics seems to be the most powerful; no extra words of motifs trying to sneak their way into my brain via musical osmosis.
When the music hits, you don’t feel any pain.
So, back to work once my brain has cooled down a little bit. How is everyone else doing?
Here is a picture of a Chincoteague pony, just because.
Tagged: advice, brainmelt, lessons learned, NaNoWriMo, nanowrimo2012, so so so so so tired, writing
It is Day 15 here in Oz and I am sitting on just over 25k. So I am just on par. Last year, by this stage I had cruised over the 50k line, so I am quite a bit slower this year than last. But, this is because I am a full-time writer, so I have a whole bunch of OTHER writing I am doing at the same time.
I am not as excited about this story as I was last year, but I still like it. I’ll make 50k, but i might not make much more.
Nice! I was way ahead last year too, finished about 9 days early. I love my concept and stories this year, just been having a hard time capitalizing on the free-time I have.
How did you go? Did you finish?
I did! Clumsily, awkwardly, nearly completely spent. But I did!
I’m a little behind, but hanging in there. I think my story is the pits! I will try the classical music. Perhaps that will help me. Thanks for the suggestion. Good going on your word count!
Try mixing your story up a little bit. Bring in a totally new and unexpected character. Kill someone. Revive someone.
You might find it breathes some life back into something you’re not so in love with any more 🙂
Thanks, Oliver. Thanks for the encouragement!
Mid-19,000’s for me. Lost two days to a major medication allergy (or, more to the point, to the resultant benadryl fog). I’m having some trouble making up that time, but I’m generally keeping up steady progress and am pretty thrilled with what I’m creating.
Nice! I’m half-keeping up with you on Facebook, too, and I can see how excited you are! Let me know if you would like a beta-reader when you’re done. I’m not squeamish about teh sechs.
Haha, I may take you up on that! Thanks! I am really excited this year, it’s true. Five years off from any serious writing was too much. I must write. It’s mandatory. Plus this year I am letting myself write what I like to write, rather than what I like to read. I don’t know how that will go in terms of product, but the process is incredibly freeing.
Though I am not officially participating in NaNoWriMo, I am writing a short story over November. I am aiming for a scene a day, at around 1000 words each. Just completed my twelfth scene (end of chapter 4), and am sitting at just over 17,300 words. The end product will be 7 chapters of 4 scenes each.
As I am not employed at the moment (not for lack of looking or applying), I am using the writing as something to keep my brain ticking over.
I agree completely with using music to inspire writing. Some songs or instrumentals perfectly capture the mood of a scene so perfectly, it makes the words flow that much easier.
I post each scene a day apart on my WordPress account.
Totally agree with you on the music. I have several different play lists that I’ll spin up, depending on my mood and what I’m planning to write 🙂
Good luck with the job search; I know it’s a shitty situation out there. At least you’re keeping your brain active and not just falling into a pit of despair!
Keep going! The middle is in sight!
The middle is my favorite! So much juicy word-flesh to sink my teeth into!
I’m about a day behind, hoping to make up some ground today. About 22k at the moment. I’ve only finished once; this is my fourth try.
You can do it! I’m sure this month will be your second win 🙂