And now comes the point where I realize I have less than 10,000 words to go, and a lot more than 10,000 words worth of story to write, and panic begins to gnaw at my belly. I’m not sure how I will fit it all in, but continuing past November 30 isn’t an option I want to entertain. Cass and I fly to Vancouver at 6AM on December 1. After that comes a month of catching up with family and friends, moving into a new house, unpacking, holidays and other distractions. Writing’s going to have to go on the back burner for a while.
One way or another, I have to get to the end by Tuesday.
Kim Writing life
The weather has been unseasonably warm on PEI. Yesterday Cassandra and I walked the boardwalk without hats or mittens. On the way home we jumped in leaves and I took this photo. It’s my inspiration right now. I’m nearing the end of my novel and it’s hard not to look back and see all the holes and loose ends I’ve left behind; all the awful, dull, dragging messes that need cleaning up. The closer I get to finishing, the harder it is to keep up the “complete literary abandon” the folks at NaNoWriMo encourage. When I forget, I look at this photo and remind myself to write with the same joyful spirit Cassandra displays here.
Kim Writing life
Halfway there! I will admit to some misery this week. My story is getting messy. I’m rambling. I’m tired. But I’m still on track. The novel’s now over 50K in total and I’m tumbling toward the end, so I hope the words will come more easily in the next two weeks.
I spent this afternoon writing with four other NaNoers at a local pub. In larger cities there are a multiplicity of NaNo write-ins and parties. Here on PEI we’ve only managed the one. But considering there are just 20 registered participants on the whole Island, it was a great turnout. It was nice to hang out with other writers who know what I’m going through, and to soak up the positive energy at the table.
I believe I’m actually going to finish this thing.
Kim Writing life
Today is a good day. It’s 1:30 and I’ve surpassed my daily word quota. Cassandra is napping. The apartment is quiet. I will now have a cup of tea and think of nothing.
Kim Writing life
It’s day five of NaNoWriMo and I’m plodding along, doing the minimum daily word count required to keep from falling behind. Days two through five have been variations on day one. Today differed slightly in that our car is now en route to Vancouver and there will be no more afternoon writing sessions in parking lots.
It’s okay. I’ve let go of nap time. I’ve grieved for the end of that precious mid-day quiet time and I’m okay now. It helps that most of our moving is done, the stress alleviated. Instead of endless errands and packing I get to take Cassandra for walks on the beach.
Also, now that I’ve given up on producing quality work, the words come faster than I ever imagined and I don’t need as many hours as I thought I would. It’s – dare I say it? – easier than I expected. I’m actually having fun. No misery – yet.
Kim Writing life
It’s 8pm and I’ve written 1,700 words today. Circumstances were not ideal. I expected to have all afternoon to work while Shane and Cass played. Instead, Shane hurt his back at the swimming pool and had to spend all afternoon in bed. So my writing day was like this:
4:30 am: Wrote 300 words before Cass woke up at 5:00, wide awake and ready for the day;
1:00 pm: Another 800 words while parked at Jewell’s Country Market, in driver’s seat with laptop wedged in front of steering wheel and Cass asleep in the back;
7:00 pm: 600 more words after dinner and two generous glasses of wine .
But I’m done. And I still have time for a blog post before bed. Day one is a success!
Kim Writing life