I need hugs.

*Hugs*

Bless.
Now I can't really talk, as I'm unexpectedly ahead at the moment, but in previous years the best source of moral support has always been a good spreadsheet. You're even potentially clever enough to make one yourself (or I can send you mine, which I've been a bit disappointed in...I used to have a better one).

Anyway, the point is that with a spreadsheet, (or some incredibly basic maths, if you aren't lazy like me) you can calculate how much of a tiny amount extra you have to write each day to still finish in time. It's only a little bit. BEcause we've got shed loads of days left.

And just think of all those nights? Who needs sleep?

(Kali...I specifically did not just endorse insomnia as a writing technique...just to be clear...though it would probably make my dream sequences a bit more interesting...that last one was DUUUULL, though it did finally get some wolves into the book...which is useful considering there's one in my bloody title.)

ANYWAY.

You're great. Just write a little bit when you can, and eventually one of those little bits'll turn into a huge stonking great big bit. And before you know it that'll be the norm.

We slow down and we speed up and we go round and around (wheeeee).

But we keep on going.
Keep on going Kal...you can do it. (That last bit was in a ridiculous voice that you probably couldn't hear, a hint of mexican gruffness to make me sound less like a motivational speaker.)

You can, by the way.
It's just crazy enough to work!

*more hugs...probably the only helpful thing I've typed*

--------

This was unlike the story
it was written to be
I was riding its back
when it used to ride me
- Joanna Newsom - Peach, Plum, Pear

Thanks Al. Your crazy way of putting things always cheers me up. And you even made some good points :) This is why I've always intended to aim for 2k a day. I just wish it was a bit easier.

Jesus saves (and backs up regularly).

Hey there... I hope it's going better today :D
I got really stuck early on, when I realised that I hadn't really sorted out any of the logistical stuff. I've got a party of 20 herding 200 goats across a scrub land, and I have no idea how any of that is going to work. How would they carry all their food? Do goats go where you tell them? Do they wander off at night?
So I decided I didn't care.
If you run into problems, ignore them and pretend that it works. Fixing stuff is what december was invented for!
And, if you just get stuck for lack of inspiration, just skip ahead to the next exciting bit. I've currently abandoned my goat people in the middle of their trek, and skipped to a nice death scene :D That cheered me up no end.
The words will flow out, and you'll have your target for the day no probs.

Hugs,
MB

I just felt in a foul mood yesterday in general after a rough day at college (joys of mid-lesson taunts and arguments combined with severe confusion of the lesson) and my brother spending a bit more time than I hoped for in my room. So I ended up not bothering yesterday. I'll probably do what was meant to of been done yesterday, today and then catch up tomorrow due to my free day.

Hi Kali

The others are quite right. I'm behind too but not worried in the slightest.

Even if I have to bunk off work to watch the birds singing in the fields, or the squirrels gathering their nuts, or sit on the beach and watch the sun slide down the horizon, or watch a sharp frost develop across the lawn; all for inspiration as to how I can write off a train load of commuters in a nasty way, I shall not worry...yet.

25 days to go. TWENTY-FIVE! I bet you could write two books in that time. When it gets to the 29th November and I'm still 15,000 words short, I might show some sign of tension. Until then, keep going, don't worry about playing catch-up, keep it flowing as and when you can and accept a small hug!!!

It's not the winning or losing...it's the taking apart that matters.

Thanks guys. It was just one of those days. I didn't get any uni work done either. I got a decent amount of sleep though. I'll be pushing along today and seeing what I come up with. The creative part of my brain is still asleep, but I have a plan that I love, so at least the random musings will have a goal in sight.

Jesus saves (and backs up regularly).

Am so intrigued by what happened in your lesson! Are you the teacher or a student in the class? Your description seemed an accurate account of many of my own fine lessons I attempt to deliver to the yoof of today..

Hi!

I'm finding it something of a struggle too. Not helped by an ancient, decrepit, steam powered laptop, & a mind that currently isn't conducive to rampant creativity, but the first week isn't about bashing out 20 gazillion words an hour & gloriously marching to victory. It's about laying the foundations for what's to come.

We've all been laying our foundations whether it's 20k or 2k & the trick now is just to ramp it up gently so that nearing the end of the month we are somewhere near where we want to be & in with a chance of making the mystical 50k. It matters not whether you do a steady 1667 a day or go up & down like Zebedee in a porno. Last year I did 4k a day; this year I'm doing 4 bowls of Special k a day.

Bad days come & go, but your creativity & your craft & your God damn beautiful nano novel will outlast them all!

Who's with me?!

(Sorry - got a bit carried away by the end ...)

Hugs! And have some chocolate. That often helps. I'd send you some virtual chocolate, but the real stuff tastes better.

And I'll just add that you are still ahead of me (as I post this), and I am going to succeed.

Lots of writing and no fireworks for me this evening. (If I manage to hit 3000 words total for today - not enough to catch up, but quite respectabubble, I am allowed to eat the plain-chocolate bounty bar I have waiting in the fridge. It's been sitting there smirking at me "Yah-boo, can't eat me!" for two days now.)

"I never promised anybody a good time. I'm an artist, not a philanthropist." -- God.

You forgot the Land of Hope and Glory backing track!! :0

Well said. I was so inspired I did over 2k words today and now have a days research otherwise I will be writing jibberish. (As if I haven't already). Should get another k done tonight after reading your post or I might just go to sleep, happy in the knowledge that I will have a "God damn beautiful nano novel" at the end of it!

Wow!

It's not the winning or losing...it's the taking apart that matters.

Come on kali, you can totally do it! I know you can. *Big big hugs* I shall pass on some real hugs when I next see you.