I Believe! (Sydney Salter)
I'm not doing NaNo this year, but I am a many-years winner, and three of my five sold manuscripts were NaNo novels. Here's a post I wrote back in 2011 after completing my 50,000 words - just barely!
Many times during my first week of NaNo writing, people said to me, "I'd love to try it, but I don't have the time to write in November." I don't have the time either. That's what I love about NaNoWriMo.
As I head into Week #2, I'm hosting an SCBWI conference & dealing with all those last minute details. Coordinating my daughters' after school activities requires military-level planning--cloning would be even more helpful. I've had fun events, too, like last night's dinner with Two Rivers High Students (amazing kids who are passionate about reading & many who will become authors in time).
I even went to the dentist this week.
And I still have to exercise, sleep, and feed everyone. I wouldn't have started this novel in November. Or maybe I'd still be dinking around with my first chapter--getting it just right while doubting my whole idea. But NaNo has forced me to squeeze writing into my hectic days. We've had homework/writing field trips to the bookstore cafe late in the afternoon. I've woken up early on the weekend. And today I'll probably add to my word count while waiting for soccer practice to end.
NaNoWriMo reminds me that I can always make writing a priority--no matter what is happening in my life. I've written 13,583 words so far & I've added two official patches to my book bag. I plan to hit 15,500 today. I'll get to add another patch & I'm sure there will celebratory chocolates too!
Many times during my first week of NaNo writing, people said to me, "I'd love to try it, but I don't have the time to write in November." I don't have the time either. That's what I love about NaNoWriMo.
As I head into Week #2, I'm hosting an SCBWI conference & dealing with all those last minute details. Coordinating my daughters' after school activities requires military-level planning--cloning would be even more helpful. I've had fun events, too, like last night's dinner with Two Rivers High Students (amazing kids who are passionate about reading & many who will become authors in time).
I even went to the dentist this week.
And I still have to exercise, sleep, and feed everyone. I wouldn't have started this novel in November. Or maybe I'd still be dinking around with my first chapter--getting it just right while doubting my whole idea. But NaNo has forced me to squeeze writing into my hectic days. We've had homework/writing field trips to the bookstore cafe late in the afternoon. I've woken up early on the weekend. And today I'll probably add to my word count while waiting for soccer practice to end.
NaNoWriMo reminds me that I can always make writing a priority--no matter what is happening in my life. I've written 13,583 words so far & I've added two official patches to my book bag. I plan to hit 15,500 today. I'll get to add another patch & I'm sure there will celebratory chocolates too!
After completing NaNo I scrawled a quick reflection in the calendar I use for my writing life:
That's why I will always defend NaNoWriMo writing: it proves that sheer willpower means something.
I kept working and working on the manuscript I wrote back in 2011 - and now I'm thrilled to announce that SPONSORED will coming out with ChiTeen press in 2019!
Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. And 3 of 5--what a great success rate!
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