I’ve always been a bit of a nut. I’m sure that I can attribute at least half my readership to my tendency towards all things insane (there’s a reason Temporary? Insanity won the blog naming contest last year – thanks again Nicole!). There must be a sort of morbid fascination in seeing what bit of lunacy I’ll come up next.
I’ve topped myself though. Well and truly. I’ve signed up to do NaNoWriMo again.
Good. Grief.
National Novel Writing Month. The attempt to write a 50,000 word manuscript in the space of 30 days. I can still remember the keen edge of panic I felt as I got further and further behind. Five days from the deadline I’d only written 32,000 words. Oh dear, my eye’s started twitching again. Post-traumatic-NaNo disorder, methinks.
Problem is, I also remember the permanent shift in perspective that came with being able to work into casual conversation, “Oh yes…been dreadfully busy lately, dahling. House, kids, finishing up work on my first book, blah-dee-blah-blah.” You should have seen me grinning and strutting afterwards. And the look on Neil’s face. Hearing him brag to people about what I’d managed to do. Neil. Bragging. About me. It set my head to spinning, it honestly did.
And the knowledge that I could write a book. Nevermind that it was unedited and had been poured out with my internal editor firmly switched off. Nevermind it was going to take a year or more to clean it up to the point of not being embarrassing. It was a book. A book! I’d written a book!
For all my desire to be a published author some day, I simply cannot find words to properly express that feeling. That rush. That grin inducing, hope soaring, pride puffing realization that what I’d always wanted but never until that moment dared to pursue, was actually possible. Not just possible, but done. Accomplished. Finis.
I want that feeling again. The timing isn’t the best. I’m still focused on rewrites of my first manuscript. I’m dedicated to blogging five days a week here. I have a home to run and two beautiful girls to raise.
But I also have…an idea.
Oh yes. I’m all kinds of insane to take something more on.
Those of you hoping for Christmas cards…well…yeah. Sorry about that.
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25 Comments
Wow. I’m so excited to hear about your progress! Perhaps one day I’ll have another book written by you : )
ERin´s last blog post..A Full Heart
Ooh, I can’t wait to see what you write this year!!! I decided not to hop on board this year for nano cuz I figured having a baby mid-November would kind of get in the way of any writing lol. Plus I never even finished last year. Good luck!
how awesome! that is soo great for you. that feeling is the best. good luck with it! it’s so awesome that you pursue something that is so important to you. even if it is hard and stresses you out sometimes.
cornnut32´s last blog post..the rock
I’m kinda bummed, I’ve never had a Christmas card before and I was sorta looking forward to it… ;)
I’m doing the NaNoWriMO too again, this time I’m destined to finish because I got discouraged and stopped…
I just need an idea
Abra´s last blog post..HALLOWEEN IS COMING
I might just be crazy enough to join you this year, although last time I went down in a blaze of glory just after week #1. Ah well, it’s a new day! :)
stacey @ tree, root, and twig´s last blog post..It’s How You Pay for the Year ‘Round Beauty
I’ve been contemplating that sort of crazy myself…hmm.
Lisa Milton´s last blog post..wrapping up a busy weekend, the hot coffee and sick girl edition
I’m going to do it again too- I think.
Amber @ Soggy Cheerios´s last blog post..A quick note before I die.
Good luck! :)
I’m pretty sure if you had a new idea, it was inspired. Now roll with it.
P.S. After seeing the blog title, the first thing that flashed through my mind was Mork and Mindy.
Heather of the EO´s last blog post..They Have Hair and Teeth!
A friend just sent me some info on NaNoWriMo and my first thought was, this is crazy! Crazy, crazy, crazy. But I’m thinking about it.
P.S. You are awesome, you novel writer, you!
Becky´s last blog post..My big day
I love mysteries. I can’t wait to finish reading about your next adventures. Whatever it is, it will be from the heart. Follow that.
Jan´s last blog post..Geography
Go for it! Because, the truth is, 90% of people who want to write a book never do. And you know what else? It won’t get published if you don’t write it. Yep, it’s a big secret out there in the novel-writing world but it’s the truth! So, go for it and then you will have two novels to polish. What could be better? (three–next year!)
Heidi Ashworth´s last blog post..Serious Sunday #3–My Thoughts on Prop 8
Good luck! I don’t think I have the time to do that this year…but maybe sometime I will participate. Keep us updated!
Jaina´s last blog post..Historia de un letrero
50,000 words in one month? I have to admit, that sounds like PURE torture to me. I would love to read that many words in one month, but to write? My head would explode. I bow to your talent.
Erin´s last blog post..A Little Blog in the Giant Sea of the Blogosphere
Wow, you’re practically inspiring me to start writing for this month, and I don’t even particularly want to write/have ever written anything. Maybe I could start….
Thora´s last blog post..Peter Piper Picked A Peck of Perfect Pumpkins
Go for it, girl. You have to push yourself to grow – but it sure hurts to stretch, eh?
Rebecca – That Girl from Brazil´s last blog post..In which I got pampered
I think all writers should be exempted from having to send out Christmas cards.
I don’t really know what the correlation is, but that’s just what I believe.
Melanie J´s last blog post..If I put my hand on the top of his head and push down real hard, will it keep him from growing up?
holy cow, that is awesome! definitely a conversation started…the whole, I wrote a book thing. And you know, it really is a great accomplishment, but the conversation thing really trumps that. ;)
And Christmas cards…over-rated really. Except for the 5 from people who really took the time to write you a real note – those are cool. The other 50, just clutter that I feel guilty about throwing away on January 1.
Jen´s last blog post..Today is one of the days I really love my job
so, i think you should go check out this:
http://pictureofexperience.blogspot.com/2008/10/my-very-first-award.html
i promise you won’t regret it!
cornnut32´s last blog post..my very first award!
I wish I could attempt NaNo this year, but the princess gig has me waaaaay too busy in november. I’d have to pre-write, and that be cheatin’!
Jo´s last blog post..The Princess Diaries
I’m actually thinking of doing this too. (I have no idea where I’ll find the time, since I really don’t have time to even post on my blog much any more, but I am, well, THINKING about it.)
GREAT post. Love the descriptions of all the delicious feelings it gives you.
charrette´s last blog post..Ghosts…In Three Acts – III
You go! I think that’s just grand. I’ll be doing NaBloPoMo this year again instead. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve been writing a thousand words a day on a novel I’m trying to write. I don’t know what I’m doing but something about those 1,000 words a day makes me feel great. :-)
Keetha´s last blog post..You’re My Blue Sky You’re My Sunny Day
I’ve often wondered if I could write a book. I’ve never really thought about the process. I used to write short stories all the time, but they were silly and mostly for my friends. Maybe I should try it…
Melissa´s last blog post..
Tell me quick…how does one turn off that internal editor? I am sure you have seen my spelling and typing mistakes…and that is usually after three or four times of self-edits.
Reading this post sent a current of excitement through my veins. I can’t wait to see what you write!
I’m almost tempted to sign up myself….almost. I’d need a laptop, however, because James needs the computer most nights.
Rebecca´s last blog post..Today Before 11 am