50,000 words is a lot. And this month has been a lot. And so instead of 50,000 words I currently have about 14,000.
However, I’m not going to agonize over this. I still hope to reach a new goal of 20,000 words by end-of-day Friday. And I feel okay about that. Overall.
This has been my first attempt at writing any length of fiction. It’s been challenging in so many ways, and draining, but also amazing and instructional. I now know that going into a novel means more than having a vague idea of a storyline and a title.
Do you know how difficult it is to name somebody? To decide on something that makes them seem real, that fits their personality, that makes the proper statement? Names have so many subtle associations for all of us. I found myself a deer in headlights as I tried to assign each character with their proper name. Oh, and a last name, too. It feels so forced, and silly. Who knew. I find myself reading books now and mentally congratulating the authors (through my jealousy) when they manage to pick really good ones that fit the character and feel effortless.
And so I am left with almost 30 pages of a novel, with pages more to go before I reach my revised goal. And overall, despite that small critical voice I battle daily, I’m rather proud of myself for having tried something challenging, outside of my comfort zone, and new. I’ll still be exploring this world of writing, taking these lessons from NaNoWriMo with me, and perhaps making 2013 the year I finish 50,000 words in one month.
Easy does it. Remember, it’s the journey~not the product. It sounds as if your journey is arduous but fruitful. Keep your eyes on your surroundings–inner and outer–not the horizon.
I’m proud of you too, Maura.
Beth
Thanks, Beth! I really have been trying to keep that in mind throughout this process. A little disappointing to not reach that higher word count, but in the grand scheme it’s not the point. Doing the writing period was my goal, and that I’ve achieved.
Maura
!!!!! 00 \/
Ha, not quite sure what that means, but I like the exclamation points and will take V for Victory!