Friday, November 11, 2011

Seven Days

That's how far I made it in the NaBloPoMo challenge this month. That's actually worse than my previous record of eight days when I first tried this daily posting challenge back in January. If I ever find myself signing up for one of these challenges again, I need someone to slap my hand and remind me that this kind of challenge is simply not for me.

I actually have a great excuse for my latest NaBloPoMo failure though, as I got a burst of inspiration for my WIP, and have been writing every day this week. It's a little funny to me, as when I tried a daily writing challenge back in May, I froze up and didn't write anything. Now when I try a daily blogging challenge, I go blank on blogging, and end up writing more steadily than I have in months.

It's backwards, but that's fine with me as I'm really excited about my writing progress, and I feel more on a roll with writing Polar Night than I have since I started writing it back in the summer. I was wrapped up in a writing cocoon this week, and it felt great. I wrote nearly 5,000 words, and managed to cross over the 27,000 word count on my ticker.

In addition, my jumble of ideas for the story seemed to come together as I was writing. A writer friend of mine talks about the moment when you can feel your story coming together as similar to when you are working on a jigsaw puzzle and suddenly see how all the pieces are going to fit together. That's how I feel about my novel after this week. The puzzle pieces have fallen into place.

I'm not sure what got into me this week, but I also wrote a query letter to Fido Friendly Magazine about a dog story I am interested in writing, and I wrote and submitted an essay for the upcoming Chicken Soup For the Soul book, "I Can't Believe My Dog Did That." Of course, I have no idea if either of these submissions will be accepted, but it felt great to send them. This is the most productive week I've had in ages.

So while my seven days of NaBloPoMo posting fell well short of what I intended, my past seven days of writing have been totally exhilarating to me. I guess it just goes to show that, to paraphrase one of my favorite songs, you don't always get what you want but, sometimes, you do get what you need.

I got what I needed this week, and I am excited about continuing on this writing high. My goal was to have the first draft of my novel done by the end of this year and, for the first time, that goal actually feels within reach.

I am anxious now to catch up on my blogging, and I hope everyone has had a great week. To all the NaBloPoMo participants, I wish you the best of luck in finishing the challenge!

Happy Friday to all, and best wishes for a great weekend ahead! :)

34 comments:

  1. Yay for you!! I'm so glad you're hitting your stride in the novel. I felt I hit that spot last week, and, yeah, not much blog posting going on for me either.

    But that's the way it should be, IMO. The novel should be the priority between the two.

    Happy writing this weekend!

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  2. I just admire you for the writing that you do. That is terrific that you are having a good week of writing. That is wonderful. Can't wait to read those articles. Take care.

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  3. These challenges are hard. I participate and do the best I can do and that's all I can do. Have a great weekend yourself!

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  4. Backwards or not sounds like progress to me. :) And I'll have to check out chicken soup.
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  5. @LG, thanks, and yay for you too! I agree, I definitely feel the writing is my priority so I'm thrilled with it. I hope you have a happy writing weekend as well.

    @Marg, thanks so much, I hope the articles will be accepted so you can read them. Thank you!

    @Stephen, I agree, these challenges are definitely harder than I realized. It's fun to participate but they clearly don't work out as I intend LOL.

    @Jules, yeah, I'm thrilled about the progress. Thanks!

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  6. The Chicken Soup books are so rewarding, funny, and inspirational.

    Good luck with all of your writing!

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  7. @T, I would be so thrilled if my story is accepted for the book, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks so much for your good luck wishes and for coming by, great to meet you!

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  8. Isn't that always the way? :)

    Since NaNo started, I get anxious when I sit down to work on my novel, thinking I have to get my word count up, etc. But as soon as I start focusing on the story itself and not worry (so much) about the word count, the words flow.

    Good luck with those submissions!

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  9. In my world, writing trumps blogging, so congrats on getting back into the groove!

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  10. Hey, that's not so bad:) So long as you're progressing with your WIP and you feel fulfilled I'd say that's a pretty good win win:)

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  11. Congratulations!

    It doesn't matter how things work for us to write. What matters is that something does and we sit down and produce magical words.

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  12. Well done, Julie and isn't it ncouraging to know you can achieve what you set out to do .. with no pressure! lol. The life of a writer is much harder than people think. Just you, a blank page and an empty head!! Well hopefully the last isn't so. lol x

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  13. Yea, on the writing and the submissions. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

    That moment when you can see how all the pieces fit together is magical.

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  14. Hi Julie .. good luck with the submissions - and isn't it wonderful how life takes different turns and sometimes (usually!) we have no idea why .. good that you're writing ..

    Enjoy the weekend .. Hilary

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  15. Love it when that happens! Sometimes we can't see those puzzle pieces until we're washing dishes or taking a shower and suddenly, it all makes sense! Lightbulb!
    You've gotten so much written! Yay for you!

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  16. Personally, I think every day posts is too much for our readers. They don't want us in their mailbox that often. It's like slamming the door on a friend when they have to say they just don't have the time to read your post. I took a survey of my audience and they told me 3-5 times a week was a good schedule (I was surprised it was that high).

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  17. I love that song :) And it's true. I agree that story writing takes precedence over bloggy writing. Whatever it takes to make progress is good.

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  18. LOL I did the daily blog thing twice in a year NaBloWriMO and A to Z. They both left me dry. I could barely think much less write.
    So far I'm sticking to NO MORE!

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  19. @Madeline, that's exactly how I am! Thanks for the good luck wishes, best of luck to you too on finishing your novel.

    @Janel, I agree, thanks!

    @Mark, it definitely is, thanks.

    @Carol, thanks!

    @CaroSCAT, LOL, my head is empty more often than I would like LOL. But I'm getting there. Thanks so much.

    @Mary, thank you, I hope I will have some success with the submissions. And I agree, it is magical. :)

    @Hilary, thank you, I hope you had a nice weekend there. :)

    @Pk, yeah, that's how it was for me, I was walking my dog and suddenly the pieces fell together, you just never know. Thanks!

    @worddreams, yeah, I think you have a good point. I think trying for 3 posts a week is probably the best for me.

    @Jon, yeah, it's definitely one of my favorite songs, I never get tired of it. Thanks!

    @Giggles, I loved the A to Z but the NaBloPoMo just doesn't work for me, I don't know why. Maybe I just need the alphabet LOL.

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  20. No way was the writing challenge a failure. It got you moving on other writings and that is a great thing! Now I hope you get all of those writing projects published! You are doing great!

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  21. The only way I can make it through a blogging challenge, like A-Z is to write my posts and schedule them ahead of time. I post Monday-Friday but weekends are tough. Congratulations on getting some writing done on your WIP. See if you write 50,000 words then sign up for Nano at the end. :) Good luck!

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  22. I like that puzzle comparison. It makes a lot of sense.

    I'm glad you've had a burst of inspiration. You deserve a big pat on the back!

    Have a great week. :)

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  23. @LynnMarie, thanks!! I am keeping my fingers crossed on the publishing, thanks so much.

    @Ciara, oh, I didn't know you could sign up for NaNo at the end if you get to that count. Thanks for the info!

    @Michelle, I like it too, it really does describe the process so well. Thanks for the pat on the back, I hope you have a great week as well!

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  24. Blogging daily is hard work. i attempted it in April and I did miss a few days. What better reason to not have done it though than a massive writing spree! It is a great feeling when it all starts to come together. I hope this writing burst continues for you.

    Maybe you should sign up for lots of blogging challenges, that way the words will flow continually! :)

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  25. Blogging every day can be tough when you work and have a lot of other responsibilities. I'd say if the urge hits again go for it. Someday you'll make it through and get a system figured out. It's mostly in fun anyway.

    Lee
    Best selling author Lani Diane Rich visits
    Tossing It Out
    Wednesday November 16th.

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  26. Congratulations on your great progress, Julie. It's funny how inspiration hits us and we land in that zone when we least expect it. If it meant letting go of NaNoBlo whatever, that's a minor price to pay.
    xoRobyn

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  27. @Rebecca, LOL, that's a good idea, maybe if I try to blog every day all the time I will end up with a slew of novels LOL. Thanks, I hope I can continue with this burst too, it's been another great week on that front. :)

    @Lee, I agree, it is just in fun so I probably will try again at some point. I know I will do your A-Z again as that worked out great for me.

    @Robyn, thank you! :)

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  28. I figure novel writing should come over blogging, anyway! Congratulations on the progress you're making. I love that feeling when it all comes together. You have really accomplished some things this month; awesome!

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  29. I think you've accomplished quite a bit in a very short time, and you should be on top of the world! I also am impressed that you submitted a story for Chicken Soup For The Soul which is something else that I would be interested in doing. Best of luck with everything, and I'm sure that more great things will be coming your way. Sorry I missed this before. I'll be back soon. Julie

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  30. @Shannon, I agree, I love blogging but the writing definitely needs to come first. Thank you! :)

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  31. @Julie, I accidentally hit publish on my comment before replying to your post, thanks so much for your comments! I think you would be a great writer for a Chicken Soup story, I hope you find one that suits your interest! Thank you again!

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  32. That sounds like a productive 7 days! Go, you!! P.S. I can't do the daily blogging thing either.

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  33. Hello,

    I'm currently stopping by everyone's blog that is currently following me and sending my thanks. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I wanted to show my thanks to all my fellow bloggers. So thank you and I hope you have a great weekend!

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  34. @Liz, thanks! And, I'm glad I'm not the only one with the daily blogging.

    @Prasetyo, thanks for stopping by, I'm looking forward to checking out your blog.

    @Roza, thanks for coming by, hope you have a great week ahead!

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