The bad news: I'm terribly behind on my quota for my November novel. I'm about to throw out the last chapters I've written because they're just wrong. Also, since the day job has to come first, and I'm taking off on Thanksgiving Day, I'm not sure I'll be able to cross the finish line.
Unexpected roadblocks are a huge part of the writing life. Work, family, friends and life get hungry and devour our writing hours, which drops us in the rickety seat on the emotional rollercoaster. This morning I'm tired, frustrated and not in the mood for any more nonsense. Balancing that is the fact that I had a lovely visit with my unexpected house guest; my work novel is coming together beautifully (yes, I'm writing two books this month) and I'll make my deadline next week. Also, I got the exact size turkey I wanted for Thanksgiving -- on sale, no less -- because I was paying attention instead of locking myself in the office to sulk over my roadblocks.
I don't mind failing. Success usually teaches you little to nothing except how to be a bigger ass than you already are. Besides, I can collide with as many roadblocks as life wants to throw at me and keep going. I've already done it countless times. It's when the tired part of me whines about giving up that I get really angry with myself. I may not be a winner, but a quitter? Nope. I keep going.
I'll post the latest update on Haunted House Style later today. In the meantime, how are you all doing with your NaNonovel? Let us know in comments.
Added: Haunted House Style, 11/14/17
I rarely set goals - especially wordcount - because I'm a backup caregiver for my aged dad. And truly grateful to NOT be the main caregiver.
ReplyDeleteSo, no NaNo for me. But I'm 15,000 words into my novel, and I'm happy with my progress. :-)
Sorry about the road blocks. Microsoft is the exact reason I have two laptops and each has an updated copy of my current writing project on it. I learned my Microsoft update lesson the hard way a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteI'm 23,722 words into my NaNo. Not really behind, just haven't finished today's writing.
Roadblocks are like getting hit with a hammer. It feels so good when it stops. :)
ReplyDeleteI've had a few setbacks but nothing terrible, just the usual pre-holiday mania before relatives arrive.
Speaking of the Windows update...yeah...that. I need a new touchpad on my laptop and just haven't changed it yet. I went to click on the Remind Me Tomorrow link for the update but once again, the touchpadfromhellwithamindofitsown decided to click the install link and that was that. I have now restarted, updated, restarted, updated again and restarted again and at least now, SOME of the programs that are not made by Windows, are working. But not all. I am beyond frustrated. I also have two birthdays and Thanksgiving (which I'm cooking) and a husband who decided this year to take the entire week of Thanksgiving off and I don't know if I'll make it either. More because of husband since when he's home, he doesn't understand my need to be left alone. But! I am writing every day, even if it's only a paragraph or two and that was my minor goal. Winning NaNo would be a plus, but I'll be fine if I don't.
ReplyDeleteAnd I didn't mean to write a book here either. Sorry...
I'm going to knock on wood over here, because for some reason I haven't had any issues with window's updates. NaNo is going well. I've made it to 25k, though I didn't write Sunday or Monday. Tonight, I'm going to get some words down on the page. I two am working on two novels, but I'm enjoying them both, my non nano novel is at 22k.
ReplyDeleteLife does that to you though, it definitely gets interesting this time of year.
Because of those nasty Windows updates, I switched to linux many years ago when you needed a handful of 5 1/4" floppies to install it. Imagine those problems with a large company that has hundreds to thousands of those systems and I had to fix update problems....Those were the days....And I don't like Macs either.
ReplyDeleteAfter 11 successful years of competing in Nanowrimo I took a year off. Maybe last year will be the last time I compete after all, we'll see.
ReplyDeleteFunny but I do miss it and am glad to hear so many still enjoy competing. Never felt successful with my writing but always had high hopes. :-)
Thanks, as always, for an enjoyable blog, PBW.
Ron Bruce