The National Novel Writing Month deadline is around the corner, Essentially, I’m either screwed or writing like a maniac for the next four days. I’m going with maniac. It’s been a challenging month, mostly because because of the respiratory flu bug that has had its grip on me since the beginning of the month. I still haven’t shaken it, so here I sit at 5am, desperately trying to put more words to paper.
My head has that floaty sensation of too much cold medicine, my knee is bouncing up and down relentlessly. I’m finally starting to freak out a bit about NaNoWriMo, an arbitrary goal that I was so excited about striving towards. I recruited one of my friends who had never heard of the program. She passed the 70,000 word mark last night. I’m watching my other writing buddies dancing close to the goal (hooray Lorri and Ruth!). I may not make it, but I’m going to give it the “old college try”. For me that means I’ll be writing frantically in the last few days before the due date. My college career was made up of all night writing and pots of coffee, so I know it’s possible.
I started slowly and precisely with my novel and as I continued, more characters started butting in with their stories. Plot lines became twisted and tangled and overwrought with drama I had not intended. Watch it all go to hell as I write frantically into that dark night: I will not go down without a fight.
Needless to say, I’ll be taking a break from blogging over the next few days, which also means I probably won’t be reading other people’s blogs. Expect comments from me for blog postings that you wrote a while ago, but I hate to miss things. December will be editing on the novel and catching up with my blogging friends.
And now, lest I put one more word here that actually should add to my novel word count, I bid you adieu – but only until this NaNoWriMo thing has soundly beaten me or I it. Thanks and good luck to the rest of you. See you at the finish line, either November 30th or according to my word count stats, sometime in the new year.
The Green Study 
I look at NaNoWriMo the way I do at my favorite football teams, exercise regimes and diets. That is to say, “maybe next year”. I applaud anyone for trying to do it, and perhaps in 11 months or so, I’ll give it a shot.
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I’m already starting to frame my defeat – “well, come on, I was sick the entire damned month” and “I have written more in the last month than I have in a year”. Still, I might be that underdog, able to burst forward across the finish line. Although, right now my head is the only thing bursting. Novel. Fueled by that wonderful hallucinogenic, Nyquil.
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Good luck. You will be missed.
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Thanks! I’ve been feeling my blog posts have suffered a bit in quality, so I’ll be glad to return, re-inspired.
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Full speed ahead Michelle! All the best as you cross that finish line. NaNoWriMo gave me the beat down, but I took it like woman. 😉
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Thanks, Honie. We’ll live to write another day!
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Good luck, and try a few tablespoons of coconut oil for your flu bug (sorry, I just finished reading a book called The Coconut Oil Miracle :)).
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I’ve been using coconut water in my juice – does that count? Thanks for the well wishes!
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I’m pretty sure the c. water counts, but I don’t know how much you need. I’ve been adding a little to my juice since I ran out of the oil, but it doesn’t seem to be enough to notice.
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Good luck. If you do actually spend time in Dec editing what you’ve written, you’ll be way ahead of everyone else! I think most people drop it in a drawer (or the recycling) after Nov. 30. Carry on! (It *is* arbitrary, remember – don’t risk your health!.)
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I’d never sacrifice myself for my art – as witnessed by how far I let myself get behind on the whole NaNo thing. I can see why people dump their novels. They do tend to be a bit of dreck. I’d like to see this one through. Thanks for the good wishes!
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Wishing you success! And have fun with the editing. That’s the part that marks a true writer.
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Thanks! Editing is the part I really enjoy – when there is material to work with and to mold. Right now, just forcing myself to get it all out unedited is tough.
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I’m with you! There are always a few gems in with all the dreck, so don’t give up hope!!
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I haven’t given up yet! Good luck as you cross the finish line!
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You can still hit it – wish you the best! I found as I got within sight I could really pump out chapters. It’s so hard to think when you’ve been sick, but it’s possible!
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Congrats on passing the finish line! You’re awesome! I will do my best and if I don’t finish the novel until December, I will still be FINISHING A NOVEL – holy cow! Congrats again and be proud of your accomplishment!
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Thanks – and you are exactly right – the date doesn’t matter one bit!
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I always like to check out what you’ve written. Now, I find you’re taking a little break … well, you deserve it! Good luck on your novel and hope you’re feeling a lot better. If you know a Jewish mother, ask for a donation of some chicken soup. Unfortunately, I have the Jewish genes, but not the cooking genes; I have to rely on my relatives!
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