A few weeks ago I signed up for NaNoWriMo- National Novel Writing Month. I thought if I pledged on-line to write 50,000 words in the month of November it might actually spur my creative juices. Awaken my muse, as it were.
So far, as the start day approaches, my muse has remained in a comatose state. I think she’s begun the hibernation process, fearing the coming winter.
In addition to my slacker muse, my life has suddenly become incredibly busy. My job, which had been down to one afternoon a week, now needs me for several days a week. My daughter, an ice skater, has a competition coming up, which means extra practices. Early practices…waaaaaay before the sun rises ice times. I’ll also be out of town for several days at a conference. And then of course, there’s the realization that Thanksgiving is only three weeks away.
And so I ask this question, will this full calendar make or break me? I will actually have to schedule time to write and force myself to sit down at my lap top at those times if I even hope to reach the 50,000 word goal. It will mean not vegging out on FaceBook when I have an hour off, but being vigilant to piece thoughts together into a story. I’ll have to wake up earlier or stay up a little later than normal if I even hope to meet the goal.
It’s been a long time since I’ve put myself in this kind of situation. I’m hoping that by stating my goal “in public” as it were, I’ll have even more incentive to keep it. It used to be, when I was younger and more foolish, that I thrived on deadlines. They inspired me greatness. Now they give me heartburn. But I vow to persevere!
How about y’all? Do you work best under the pressure of deadlines and goals or does your creativity flow when you have time to let it percalate? Drop me a line and let me know!
Hey girl! Love the thots–I work much better under pressure–just recently I moved my quilting studio back home–oh my goodness do I need to get in gear and get going! I find I would rather make dinner than work! Or read–or sleep–or primp in front of the mirror–eh gads! Lord help me! Lord help you too! hugs, Penny
When I am “in the zone” there is nothing better than writing. But when I am struggling with a plot line and the words won’t come…oy vey! It’s the most frustrating thing in the world. I haven’t had a writing deadline in ages so I’m hoping I can do this!
When I woke up I started panicing about what I’m going to write something new or pick up on two previously started but unfinished novels. I haven’t decided but plan to bang out a lot of words today on something.
Thanks for this post, Kim. I used it as an illustration in my sermon yesterday!
I’ve always been a last minute person. I need the deadline to make myself do something. I have a deadline every week. I have found, though, that I do better, that the writing process is less painful, if I do it ahead of the deadline. I do much better when I can get the rough draft done early in the week, and then have time to let it simmer and then time to revise it. If I didn’t have a deadline I probably wouldn’t get anything written.
Wow! I was used in a sermon illustration! How cool! Sherry, I’ve been agonizing about NaNoWriMo for the past two weeks and finally decided to just follow my initial game plan with my novel, even tho I’m not sure how it will work out. I figure the point is to write now, revise later!
Hi, Kim! I have to say that I am at my ultimate best when two things collide: a deadline and a vision. If I have a deadline, but no vision, I’m just a blubbering idiot staggering my way through deadline hell. If I have a vision with no deadline….well, I just have a nice idea that gets waylaid by TV reruns and afternoon naps. But throw a deadline and a vision together…..that’s my formula for success!
I’m basically the same way Heather.