A Day in the Life of a Writer

Okay, not that I actually know what a NORMAL day in a writer's life looks like. BUT, for the first time since I can remember in forever, I have a full day off with nothing that I HAVE to do - other than go to my chiropractor appointment. Which I did. I have comp time from my work trip last week because I worked so many hours, and get both Friday (today) and Monday off - no PTO required.

So, I have decided to use both days to experiment in the life of a writer, pretend I am a full-time writer and see if I actually enjoy sitting for hours and working on writing-related things. Two days seem like an entire world to me, and yet, at the same time, not quite enough time. I mean, I not only have 3 books I want to work on, I want to do short stories, writing exercises, writing books, writer's digest, blog posts, find places to submit short stories or flash fiction, work on nonfiction articles for company newsletter, and of course, am wondering if I can stay the course when I have more than half an hour to do whatever I like.

So far, I've made a sort of schedule: write 500 words in book I am currently most enthralled with (my 2017 NaNo novel), read an article in writer's digest, 500 words, writing exercise, 500 words, article, 500 words, etc. We shall see how this works. I've been at it for one hour and 15 minutes and am already going off schedule to do a blog post, but still feeling energized and excited for the hours ahead. The atmosphere of a coffee shop helps too. Other people chatting or writing or studying - and the addition of coffee at my side - it just FEELS like I need to be writing. I love it.

Anyway, now that I have shared my joy with you all, I shall go back and finish up the 300 words still due on the 500 word spurt.

NaNoWriMo Update - Week Three

So it has been an adventure. The first week actually went really well, and I was even slightly ahead of my word count! And then . . . . my computer died. Yup. It decided this month was the prime time to have the hard drive go. So I have been handwriting - sort of. I like handwriting - when I'm not forced into it. I haven't gotten super far. And I am skeptical about being able to read it now that I've written it. Buuut, my husband fixed my computer and it is working again as of today! What do you think? Can I catch up? I am certainly going to try!

National Novel Writing Month - Week One

How are you all doing? Surprisingly, I have kept up in this first five days of  writing, despite the fact that we were in Oklahoma for my brother-in-law's wedding. It was quite an adventure, keeping up. The first day involved staying up until 2:00 AM to get it done.

Friday, the day of the wedding, was surprisingly not bad writing-wise. Daniel had lots of groomsmen things to do so I got to go to a coffee shop and work for awhile. I happened to sit across from a woman who had done Indie publishing and bought her book Poisoned, since she was doing a book signing/selling thing. It was rather encouraging to meet a mother who had written two books during previous years of NaNoWriMo and then finished and published them! Her other book was I am Lucifer, in case you are curious.

I think I am fulfilling the criteria for a cliche and sappy book. I have an underappreciated, poor artist working an office job trying to pay for her mother's cancer treatments. And then, of course, the rich, handsome young man who does not view her as anything more then a young girl and is being wooed by the perfect woman who works in the same office.

I am plodding away and trying not to overthink it. I hope you are all doing as well! And that I continue to do well.

Oh - quick tip that sometimes help me. I turn on a movie, then write 300-500 words, watch about 5 minutes and then press pause until I write another 300 - 500 words, until I finish. It is surprisingly effective, especially when I really don't want to write.

NaNoWriMo Beginning Woes

National Novel Writing Month, here yet again! It is amazing how must faster the years go by as we grow older. I could have sworn it was still springtime. 

Nonetheless, in NaNo I will participate, and unlike last year, I will win, whether I get sick this time or not! I have convinced one of my friends to join me, so hopefully the companionship in misery will assist in victory. 

We have determined we are going to relax and have fun with this year's book - to write a completely sappy, cliche romance novel. Exactly what that is - well, plots keep coming to me (if plots they can be called) and then moving on. So, I feel rather like this very apt NaNoToon right now.

https://nanotoons.wordpress.com/2017/11/01/2017-november-1st/