November Sunrise (Photo credit: J Mullhaupt)
Hello Everyone,
This is Meena Rose reporting in from the front lines of November. Yes! I am very alive much and doing extremely. For the past week I have been ensnared by the roller coaster of creativity.
Let me tell you. During the peak highs, the universe is vast and endless. Opportunity knocks every second. At times, it knocks so forcefully it rips the doorway to your being right of its hinges.
During the peak lows, the craft which you love becomes a chore. A vicious cycle of disgruntlement and ill ease set in as you obstinately will these feelings away. At times, it does feel like one is pushing a rope with little futility. At others, you recognize your perseverance and promise yourself one more round. Just 200 more words. One more stanza. During the process you become an expert at self-talk and self-bribery. Some would call that self motivation.
Well, this time last week I had but 4,753 words to my NaNoWriMo manuscript. Between having my work loads spike, a sick child and two migraine attacks, it really was all I could manage. I must also admit that I participating in November PAD daily and fully engrossed in my 6 day workout regimen.
Now, one whole week later, my NaNoWriMo manuscript sits at 16,163 words. Of course, that did come at a price. I have not written any PAD poetry since November 11th. I have arrived at a place where my novel writing is no longer drudgery where I can easily spill 1,200 words on any given day. To finish on time though, I need to consistently produce 2,200 words a day. This is when the self talk makes a big difference.
Starting today and working through Sunday, I plan to get caught up on PAD again. I will give it my best attempt to keep up with both efforts again. I have most definitely come to learn a good bit about myself during this process. I truly consider this to be my first real NaNoWriMo attempt though 3 years ago I did participate and bowed out after 500 words.
It is time for me to hop off here and get cracking on PAD.
Related articles
- NaNoWriMo Day 15 – Why Bother? (allmeanssomething.wordpress.com)
- NaNoWriMo got me started but… (bcsirrom.wordpress.com)
- NaNoWriMo Tip #14: Scrivener (writingishardwork.com)
