So you think you can NaNo... Day 20, 2013

Today's NaNo attempt was a little less productive than usual. I only wrote 963 words, but I'm still ahead of the game with 35 500 words, so I'm not worried. Plus, my lack of productivity had nothing to do with motivation - I was just busy. After editing approximately 8000 words, connecting with a few book bloggers, running after kids, and fulfilling volunteer obligations, I simply ran out of time.

I know it's early... I'm not likely to turn into a pumpkin 9:15pm, but there's TV to watch, books to read for fun, and boys to tuck in. Plus - everyone deserves a break once in a while. So - tonight is my break - too bad I don't have a KitKat to enjoy it with.

No you think you can NaNo... Day 19, 2013

Today is all about best laid plans and all that jazz.

This morning, I woke up planning to go to the gym. Instead, I spent the morning waiting for the pediatrician's office to call back with an appointment for my 13-year-old hockey star... so we could confirm a mild concussion. Then, I planned to email book bloggers - which I did - peppered with short bursts of writing - which I didn't do.

Our normal Tuesday night dinner of pasta, before taking the 12-year old-to diving, turned into a spontaneous Subway supper since the doctor's appointment ended up conflicting with the dinner-cooking time slot.

At the pool, the intention was to focus on the writing I didn't accomplish during the day. This is what happens when a mom is focused on her son executing an inward one and half dive from the three metre board...

The periods go on for about ten pages. I'm a little embarrassed to say that it happened more than once.

The funny thing is, despite the topsy-turvy day, I still managed to surpass my NaNo goal. While at the pool, I thought I might have squeezed out about a thousand words, when in reality, I wrote 1 862. It was like I was having my own private NaNoWriMo write-in, and didn't even know it. Finishing the day with a grand total of 34 537, I actually feel like I accomplished something.

So you think you can NaNo... Day 18, 2013

I've spent a few days whining, moaning, and generally lamenting the worth of my NaNo project, but it's possible I gave up hope too soon. After three writing sprints, I cranked out 2 244 words, bringing my NaNoWriMo total to 32 675 - not bad for a project that took a serious downward turn into pathetic.

All it needed was a dash of pizzazz, a pinch of weird, some character adjustments, and a reminder that some of the best pieces of art only exist because they started out as mistakes. I'm not say this book is a work of art - yet - I'm just saying that it's possible I might be able to salvage a few thousand or so words.

In other news, today was a usual busy Monday with editing (about 6000 words), marketing, running after kids, and meetings. I didn't find any cool cat pictures, or other bits of memorabilia to share, but I did find my confidence and determination to see this project to the end. And by the end - I mean the very end - which includes edits, and with any luck, publication.

image from rgbstock.com

So you think you can NaNo... Day 17, 2013

Well - I don't like my novel anymore than I did yesterday, but I'm plodding along, trying to make it work to some degree. At the very least, I should be able to say that I tried to breathe life into the thing, even if I can't completely revive it. After writing 1 760 words today, the book currently boasts 30 431 unusable words.

In addition to the writing, we continued to sort out the basement... and I found cat pictures!

When my husband and I first started living together (back in the dark ages, before digital cameras), we had the most beautiful, albeit not terribly friendly, beast of a cat. His name was Tristam - named pretentiously after Tristam Shandy. Unfortunately, he inadvertently tried to kill my youngest boy, so he spent his senior years living with another family. Even though we had visitation rights, I don't think he ever forgave us.

I keep saying that when the allergic children move out, I'm getting a cat. Of course, that's only to ensure they don't try to move back in. We're going to call that "tough love".

So you think you can NaNo... Day 16, 2013

This morning, I wrote poolside. The only things missing were a tropical cocktail and the cabana boy to serve it. While my boy was diving, I racked up 1 779 words, and got to watch some pretty awesome skills too.

It's a good thing the words were done early, since the rest of the day was filled hockey, more hockey, and sorting through a couple of old bins in the basement. I found a few interesting items - one of which I was sure had been destroyed...

Thankfully - I don't know anyone who still has a machine to play this back, so it's all good.

My NaNo story is coming along nicely in word count -  28 671 words so far - but I'm beginning to think this will be one NaNo project that won't see publication. I know it's a rough first draft, and that editing will weed out the crap, but let's face it: not all novels are meant to be.

So you think you can NaNo... Day 15, 2013

I almost didn't do the NaNo today. My writerly fingers refused to obey, my imagination went into lock-down, and my motivation hid under my pillow, enticing me to take a nap.

But then, I realized there's no such thing as writer's block. Not really. So I trudged my way through the horrid desolation of my mind, forced my fingers to take action, and bribed my imagination with stinky chips and chocolate.

Image from rgbstock.com

I finished later than I wanted to, but I did write 1 879 words, which brings my current total to 26 892. In the end, part of what motivated me was knowing that what I didn't do today - I would have to do tomorrow.

So you think you can NaNo... Day 14, 2013

I'm officially over the halfway mark in my NaNo word count. Yay me! 1 984 words written today for a total of 25 013. That means I only have 24 987 words left to reach the 50 000. Of course, my novel will probably be closer to 70 000 when it's complete, but at least I'll have a solid start on it before the end of November.

The story is really starting to unfold, it's fun, a bit silly, and in some places... well - you'll just have to wait to read it once it's edited and published.

Image from rbgstock

Now... what will I do with the rest of my evening? I'm thinking a good book might be in order. One I didn't write.