NaNo Update: Week One

Ok so I realize this is far from being a daily update, like I wanted to do, but I’m thinking this is more realistic for me. Weekly updates it is.

So, the big questions:

What’s my word count? 7006.

Where should I be by the end of today? 15003. As you can see, that’s quite a gap.

I plan on doing 1 or 2 more 15 minute sprints today, so that’ll boost my word count significantly. I’ll probably end the day around 9k. That’s not bad, all things considered. Ah yes, these “things considered”… I had a rough week last week. I have anxiety issues, and they were acting up last week, which made it virtually impossible for me to write. I had homework to do, and I couldn’t write without my brain telling me “You should be doing your homework!” on a loop. That’s very annoying, by the way… lol. Anyways, everything’s better now, but as a result of those issues, I’m pretty far behind now. Nothing I can’t make up, but still.

Lucky for me, I have a good writing support-system, which is 4-fold:

1- My writing group, the Underground Writers. I don’t know what I would do without these guys. They rock my socks in the best possible way.

2- My co-ML for NaNo, who is also part of the UW, Julia. If she wasn’t there to pick up the slack when I go MIA because I’m having issues, I would be so much more stressed! (Thanks Julia!)

3- My regional Wrimos. Sprinting with them at the write-ins helps me boost my word count, which is really important, especially because I’m behind. And seriously, they’re just all kinds of awesome! We have soooo many active participants this year, it’s absolutely amazing! (*happy sigh*)

4- Jessica, my NaNo-Penpal in Japan (but she’s from Texas originally). She’s challenged me to daily sprints, and that’s motivating me to do some every day. I’ve also really enjoyed getting to know her. We send each other crazy long emails a few times a week, and she’s awesome. 🙂

So there you have it. I’m done being mushy (for now) lol. Now, a status update on the story itself (Siren Song).

The plot is actually advancing, but more slowly than I would like. (This means I’ve started babbling for nothing again…) I’m trying to stop that, but it’s hard when I’m just writing in sprints. That’s the main difference I’ve found between “writing” and “sprinting”. If I’m “writing” I take my time, I make my words count. If I’m “sprinting” it’s turn off the brain and go, go, go! Although this is fabulous for my word count, it’s not so great for my plot advancement. I supposed I should probably try to find a happy medium, but seriously, this is NaNo! It’s SUPPOSED to be about quantity and not quality! 😉

Also, I know I’ve talked about this program before, but it saves my butt during NaNo in particular, so I’m going to plug it again – Write or Die. (http://writeordie.drwicked.com/) This is available in both an online and a desktop edition. I bought the desktop edition, and never regretted it. In fact, I love it, and can’t recommend it enough. If you’re doing NaNo and need something to kick your butt, Write or Die is the program for you. Check it out! 🙂

Ok, that’s enough procrastination for me. Time for another sprint. I’ve already made my word count for today, so anything more I write is chipping away at the words I have to make up.

Wish me luck!