We've only just begun...
Well, it's almost 10 pm on November 1, and the flurry has begun. Today you took the hardest step of all--you stared down a blank page and you dared to put something on it. Now that you are in motion, we are told, it's easier to stay in motion! However, life is going to try and throw you some curve balls this week. You are going to remember that the laundry needs to be done, that your boss still wants that report, and that your body doesn't run on imagination alone. And I'm here to remind you that it's okay to give some time to those things, in fact, you should, but do not let them pull you away from this wonderful journey you have begun!
How do you do that you ask? Easy--find your motivation. The first year I did NaNo, I signed up for one reason. I knew that in 4 short months I would be traveling to Peru to visit my sponsored child, Sandra. In my previous visit, Sandra had asked if I had finished a novel. When I told her no, she was a bit crushed. So, knowing that I was going to see her again, and knowing I needed something to kick me into gear, I joined NaNo. And when I saw Sandra in February the next year, the first thing she asked was if I had finished a novel yet. I was able to hand her a copy of my draft. Both of us were thrilled.
Sandra was my motivation (and ended up being the inspiration for my main character that year!). She kept me writing even when I had a long day at work, when I was sick, when I was ready to throw it all away and never write again. Thanks to her, I now have four complete novels and another three in progress (not counting this year's NaNo!).
So, before you sit down to write again, take a few minutes to find your motivation. Write it on a note card, post a picture of it on the bathroom mirror, post it on your facebook status--whatever it takes to remind you what it is. And then, get back to writing!
We had an amazing turn out at our all day write-in, with 27 writers stopping by to work the words! A few of you forgot to let us know word counts before you left, but our known total is 57,884--which means we once again wrote a complete novel between us all today!
Thank you all for being the most amazing region. Your ML's love and adore you, and remember, we are here to help you. We do everything except household chores :P
Write well!
Sara
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Sara, Princess of Narnia and ML for Colorado Springs
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If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. ~ CS Lewis
