When I found out about NaNoWriMo I was sort of excited, because it is quite honestly what I needed. I never really needed help with the story, I generally always plot out the basic synopsis in my head, take a few notes, and know how I want my stories to progress. The problem I always had was writing. I'm easily distracted, and when I do come up to those strainful points of the story where it gets hard to progress, it's easy for me to just tell myself to come to it later.
NaNoWriMo was what I needed, the ability to put plot aside and just get words on the page, and I think I started off strong. I had a problem with what story I wanted to do, but once I picked it I got to it, I quickly found myself knowing where I wanted to go, and what I wanted to do with the story...
But then Life got in the way.
See this month I started a new job after a long bout of unemployment, and I really was doing my all to get used to a working schedule again, and making the impression that I was good at the job, and worth keeping past the holidays. I'm also working very hard to get my life back on track, as I've slipped up and dug myself some holes while unemployed. I found myself either unable to write, or just without the motivation to when I could as I sometimes just wanted to sit back and relax.
I doubt very much I'm going to be able to finish my quota by the end of the month, but I do have the week to get as far as I can. The past couple days I have been really getting some key elements of the plot down (and some ideas for a sequel.) Pending my work schedule next week, which I assume will be barbaric, I will be setting aside some time to write, as well as taking most of tomorrow (today... Thanksgiving... Whatever) to do a sort of Gauntlet where I will get as most I can with an entire day of writing...
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50,883 / 50,000
Nov 22, 2007 - 07 20
Congrats on the new job!
Writers block isn't fun - especially when given a challenge like NaNo. I didn't think I could rise to it either - but I did! I have two young kiddies, a full time job, am active in my son's school and did it. No sleep, but I did it. ;-)
My point is - with the right motivation, you can too. Keep going w/ your book. If you make 50k by 11/30, great. If not, that's OK, too. The point is, you'll be writing your book - and that is awesome!
50,090 / 50,000
Nov 22, 2007 - 09 24
Congratulations on the new job. Being unemployed can be soul-killing, I know. For now, concentrate on the job, and work on the plot when and where you can. All you will get for completing the 50,000 words is bragging rights and an electronic "winner"'s certificate.
Even if you don't get to the 50,000 words this month, remember that there is a November next year, and NaNoWriMo will be there next year. This is my 5th year of doing NaNoWriMo, and I've only won twice. I've tried (well, sorto of, 5,000 words one year, 20,000 or so the other) all five years.