How is your NaNoWriMo project coming along? Are you two days ahead of schedule? I’m guessing that you have probably gotten up an hour earlier than usual every day this month, gotten cozy with a blanket, your laptop, and probably a mug of apple cider. Your writing has gone smoothly, and it’s like the story was just waiting to rush out of your fingertips without any effort on your part. And most likely, you have found peaceful moments in the middle of your workday or school schedule to open up that document (on your perfectly functioning computer) and have written 874 words in your twenty minute break. In fact, your NaNoWriMo project is going SOOO well that you might give yourself a little challenge and up your goal from 50,000 words in a month to 75,000 words. Am I right?

Probably not.

At least not for me.

I do my best to refrain from complaining. But at times like this. . . I like to think it is a healthy step needed in order to move past your current problem.

I like to think that someone out there who is trying their best, and failing, to have a successful month of intense writing will take comfort in knowing that I too am failing this year.

Last year I was on a roll from day one. I had recently forced myself to start a new sleep habit and as part of that I seemed to have much more time in the morning to write my novel. And because of COVID I didn’t have early morning classes (and even the ones I did have were over zoom twice a week, and all I had to do was switch over from my document to my class without having to put on shoes, makeup or even decent pants). I didn’t go out of town one time that I remember (and if I did it was to my favorite place in the world, where I can write extraordinary amounts in single sittings). My November of 2020, it seems, was fairly empty except for time I spent sitting with a laptop and my imagination for company.

But that was last year.

This year is totally different — and for some of that I am very grateful — but it’s not providing the most ideal writing conditions.

Before I rant, I am so glad that the world is normaling out enough to allow for people to be together in-person, as well as being able to travel again. Despite the ideal writing conditions provided by an empty November, I am glad that things are different this year. Neither one so far has been a better or worse month than the other — they have just been different.

But anyways, I have a story to tell — and I desperately want to write it — but sometimes writing is not the effortless peaceful activity it is made out to be. Sometimes it is an incredibly infuriating task. And quite frankly, sometimes I just don’t have the brain-functionality to work on getting a character unstuck from a chimney, or figuring out why my one character seems to be so interesting but the other is so boring (I think maybe the second one shouldn’t be a main character anymore — or she needs to shape up her attitude before I will allow her that position).

My computer has updated I-don’t-even-know-how-many times this month and every update seems to take up all my writing time!

I once again have early morning classes, which use up most of my precious quiet morning writing time (but the classes are beneficial too, and I am thankful for the teachers who get up early to teach morning after early morning).

I was privileged enough to go out of town with my family two weekends in a row, and I wouldn’t trade that fun time for any amount of writing time, but it did serve as another NaNoWriMo block. As you can imagine, I didn’t get much writing done when I was in the middle of living out a fun little adventure of my own.

And last but not least is my greatest obstacle yet: the newest False Prince book by Jenifer A Neilson.

I started reading The Shattered Castle a few days ago, and I truly cannot stop thinking about it and reading. If I didn’t have any other responsibilities I would sit down and finish it right now, but life isn’t so simple. But as far as my writing time goes, Carthya has taken greater priority than my own attempts at storytelling. Besides, it’s much easier to read an expertly written tale of adventure than write one myself 🙂

My NaNoWriMo project has no hope of progress until Jaron and Imogen once again take control of the kingdom. I’m sorry Jennifer Nielson, but if you happen to run across this post please know that I am unfairly, but wholeheartedly, blaming you for lowly word-count. I know that I should man-up and take the blame for my negligent writing habits, but if there had never been a False Prince series in the first place I wouldn’t be so distracted by its marvelousness. Then again, if there weren’t a False Prince series, I may have no desire in the first place to write my own tales of fantastical lore. Please forget that I ever suggested a world without Carthya! I’m on the verge of hysterics just thinking about that.

So, rather than blame Jennifer Nielson, I guess I will just go write her an email thanking her for having such an amazing imagination and talent.

What is keeping you from writing 50,000 words this month? I would love to know!

Also, I personally think that roadblocks like out-of-town excursions or wonderful books are just as beneficial to your writing as a month of quiet alone time. Maybe more-so. Because where would your ideas come from if you never did anything but type out words onto a computer and forget to live a life outside of the pages? (This same philosephy does not, however, apply to feellings about computer updates. I think it unfair for a blank screen with the word “updating” to be my biggest foe.”)

I hope that you and I both have opportunities this coming week to get some writing in. Even just a little bit is better than none at all. But nevertheless, I hope your November is going wonderfully whether or not you have 25,000 words written of your novel (or whatever number we are supposed to have reached by today).

Happy Writing (or pretending to write while you secretly read The Shattered Castle)!

P.S. I seriously had to lock The Shattered Castle in my car this morning so that I could control myself enough to get school and work done. I think maybe my reading self-control levels are at an unhealthy low 🙂 And although I have been able to write this blogpost without my book at my side I am starting to feel jittery without it. Maybe I will just go get it so it will be near me. . . And maybe if I knew what happened in the next chapter I would be able to double my productivity. . . I think I’ll go get my keys and rescue the book from it’s Chevrolet prison.