Yes that's only thirty days, in case you thought you read that wrong, you didn't.
Its a brutal siege on your mental energy. People in your life don't understand why you haven't showered in a week and a half. Spouses figure out ways to automate the coffee pot to drip directly into the mug in your office which you haven't left for three straight weeks. You learn impressive new techniques for ways to sleep while you type.
As I said to someone earlier this morning, I've never taken part in something so challenging yet equally (or more) rewarding in my life. And I've been lucky enough to do it and win the challenge for the past two years in a row.
But not this year.
It pains me to even think that I'll have no excuse for being crotchety this November, that I can't play off my pale skin and wide eyed insomnia on character development, but with the new challenge of school plus a little travel in my plans next month NaNo just wasn't in the cards this year.
I have a manuscript that I wrote during NaNo in 2009 that has been edited to hell and is now being shopped for representation for publication. I also met the goal last November but despite hitting something like 58,000 words last year, that one hasn't been opened since. And you want to know what is so strange about that fact? I love my characters in that book more. Sorry RtT but my untitled second manuscript has my heart.
Probably because it hasn't been finished. Once I've read it that many times I'm sure my feelings of murderous deletion of every single main character will take hold. But until then I'm savoring them all. So during November I plan to bring my MS along for the ride and do the re-writes I've been so desperate to begin as well as the necessary edits to what I've currently got in order to spring this book back into life. It won't be the same but at least it will be writing. And if all goes according to my nefarious plan I'll have two manuscripts complete by early next spring.
And be a red carpet walking mega writer type by next fall. Ah yes, dare to dream.
The insanity begins tomorrow. I'm pretty sure a couple friends are doing it again this year and I not only applaud you but also, picture me holding pom-poms in the shape of a typewriter and giving you the old college fight cheer. Okay, the typewriter thing is dorky I know but seriously Wrimos, best of luck for a successfully completed challenge in 2011!
Go do some finger exercises, finish those outlines and pick up your 10 pounds of coffee grounds now then get typing tomorrow! Looking forward to being back to joining all of you next year.
Badge retrieved from the NaNoWriMo Website & doctored by me to include the word "non" in Photoshop. Sadly.
5 comments:
At least you may be more human during your visit next month!
Love you! Mum
LMAO! Pretty much the exact reason why I won't be doing it during the trip :-) Love you too, can't wait to see you!
I think next year you will be ready to give it all you got..sometimes we have to sit back and give it a rest..I remember last year reading you were doing this challenge..I think you are smart to enjoy visiting and not having something like this on your plate..
Glad you were not here for the storm..we did lose our lights for 14 hours..but people in Conn/Ma are worse off..I thank God, that was all that happened to us..close call. You are so sweet to invite us..bless you. I tell you Jenn, I am praying for a warm winter. Our spring/summer wasn't that great. Sure we had a month of good weather, but it wasn't much and here we are back in snow.Maybe this is my penance? haha..
Have a happy week and sending you love..Carolyn
There WILL be next year and I have no doubt that you'll be raring and ready for the exhausting challenge by then. Meanwhile enjoy the moment and the anticipation of your trip back to old stomping grounds. :)
My daughter will be coming home for the Christmas Holidays, leaving the icy chill of NYC and into the boonies of tropical Florida. Can't wait to have her home again and I'm sure your mom is feeling the same way. :) Sorry about all of the grinning faces but hey I get happy just thinking about Wendi coming home for the holidays. :) :) :) :) :)
Somebody suggested I do this and I suggested, to them... well, never mind what I suggested. God bless you and others who have. Me? I take half the month off for Thanksgiving, so I'd have to do it in the first two weeks.
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