NaNoWriMo ’10 – Day 16

Merlin’s Beard, we’re halfway there! It’s flying by so fast! I thought this year would be like pulling teeth but I’ve found it to be the easiest yet. I love this story, yes, but I think more than anything it’s because I’m so busy. Have you ever heard the saying, “If you want to get something done, ask a busy person”? I’m that busy person.

Last week was a slow week but I had my cushion and I used that baby like a life preserver through the dreaded Week Two. I kept up with my overall word count goal by chipping off little chunks of it each day. And then, sad, sad me, I actually fell behind for the first time all year on Saturday. I went to my first write-in that day and broke my own record for most words written in 20 minutes: 733 words! I was so proud of myself! So proud, in fact, I didn’t write a single word more that day. Luckily, I had another write-in the next day but as it usually goes, we did more talking than writing. But I had a blast seeing my NaNo friends from last year and making some new ones so it was totally worth it! I was so inspired that I wrote 1,300 words on our 1 1/2 hour drive back home and polished off a 2,500 word day by the time I went to bed that night.

And yesterday, despite the very slow start, I did reach the halfway point. As I write this, I am at 25,452 words! I can’t believe it! You’d think by now I’d be callous to the excitement of the whole thing but it never ceases to amaze me how much writing I can get done when I put my mind to it. I love this feeling! I wish I could bottle it up and use it when I feel uninspired the rest of the year.

Something else that’s exciting: for the first time ever, I’ve been telling myself, “Don’t worry about it. You can fix it in the next draft.” Really! That’s so new to me and I think it signifies a big step in my growth as a writer because 1) I’ve honestly accepted that it can’t be perfect the first time around and 2) I’ve finally embraced the editing process. Before, I used to look at multiple drafts as huge weight on my shoulders that held me down and forced me to be a “perfectionist” on the first draft, which got me nowhere because it’s just not possible. Now I’m excited to write multiple drafts. Knowing that each draft will make it better and better is freeing!

Lastly, a good setting makes all the difference to me. If I’m not in love with the setting, I’m not in love with the story. Luckily, I’m in LOVE with the setting for this novel.

Here’s wishing you a belated November 15th, the best day of the year second only to November 30th.