NaNo 08 – Day 22

So much for updating my novel progress every day of NaNo.

Thankfully, the novelty hasn't worn off. I'm still engrossed in my book, haven't hit any snags (yet), and I am continuing to push forward with the story, although just so you don't think it's all a bed of roses, I only have the briefest of outlines for the final third of my book, so I am a bit nervous about how I'm going to tie up all my loose ends.

I think a lot of the success of Nano is to keep your head down and write. And I suppose that's what I've been doing, and why I haven't updated since day 6.

But I suppose my initial goal to post every day (or as many as possible) throughout November was really about posting about my writing process, things I discover while writing, etc. And after that first week, I guess the initial newness of it all wore off and I had to get down to brass tacks. So mostly, every day I have simply been – writing.

Trying to get the words down. To keep my story flowing. Making notes about things as I go along so I don't forget them when it comes time to edit.

Some days, the words are hard to come by, and I have to sweat and toil for every one of them.

Other days, the Dream Days, I can sit at the computer for hours at a time and when I come out of that word-induced reverie, I realize I have written a few thousand words without even realizing it, or noticing that it is now nighttime.

I've almost reached the "finish line" of 50,000 words, and my story isn't done yet, so I'm going to keep going until it is. I can only hope that the craziness of December still affords me at least some time to recuperate from a month of 3am writing sessions, some time with family and friends, and still have something left over so I can continue to keep the momentum flowing so I can finish the first draft of the book.

My plans are to edit the book in March, for NaNoEdMo, if not sooner. Between now and then? I have 4 short stories that I'd like to finish and send out for publication.

Life is good.