5 Days and Counting

Well, it's nearly over.  There are 5 days left before my 50,000 words need to be finished.  So how am I doing?

Sadly, I'm behind.

I'm not freaking out just yet, though.  I have less than 14,000 words to go, and in 5 days, I think I can manage.  It means picking up the pace and cranking out about 3k a night, but I'm trying to motivate myself with a box of my favorite chocolate, and the promise of a break come December 1st.

Operation: Find Second Wind officially started yesterday, with heavy planning and complicated strategies.  Actually, it mostly consisted of me turning off my TV and sitting down at my computer the second my kids were in bed.  That's been the most important thing I've learned during this experiment: tuck kids in, kiss them good night, and get to writing.  No side tracking to watch one of the many recorded shows I've missed this month.  No reading one more chapter of whatever book I'm in the middle of.  7 pm to 10 pm is writing time.  No exceptions.

Except that I did make a few exceptions.  Thanksgiving.  A second Thanksgiving with the other half of my family.  A couple of nights where my husband and I were able to escape the kids for a few hours and go to dinner.  The night everyone in the house was sick except me.  That's how I got behind.  I didn't make room in my schedule for the unexpected illness, unplanned dates, or impossibly busy days.

The pace I set myself for NaNo was unrealistic.  I know there are lots of people, all over the world, that are already finished.  I congratulate them for their determination and ability to persevere.  They are superstars in my eyes.  For me, NaNo has been a learning experience.  I found out it's a lot easier to carve out 3 writing hours each day than I expected.  I thought it would feel like a chore, but instead it was something to look forward to.  I knew I'd have time to explore my story each night, and that I didn't have to stay up till the wee hours of the morning to hit my word count.  I'm absolutely going to apply this lesson long after NaNo has ended, and because of that, I already feel like a NaNo winner.

So whether I finish or not, I'm glad I've had the opportunity to experience NaNo this year.  I don't see myself transforming into the type of writer that spits out a book every month, but I can be more consistent with my time management, and I know now that I need to schedule a few days off each week.  It has been enlightening, challenging, and a lot of fun.

For all writers working on projects this month, congrats.  You rock!  Don't give up on your stories, or your dreams.  As November draws to a close, give yourselves a pat on the back, and go find yourself a candy bar.  You earned it.