10.11.2007

Undecided

For the last three years, I have participated in NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month (for short). I succeeded in '04 (a Nov. 30th snowstorm helped that happen), failed in '05 because of a work deadline, and failed in '06 because I started seeing Le Squeeze (now FS) mid-month. This year, not only am I totally stressed at work, but I'm also taking some very important (and expensive) exams on an accelerated schedule. It would seem that now would definitely NOT be the time to undertake NaNoWriMo.
And yet, I've been thinking about it. I know I couldn't do the 50K words in 30 days, but I'm wondering if I could do a low key variation, just so I could participate. I would set up some rules and follow those, but what should they be? Should I write an epic poem, one stanza per day? Should I write a 5K short story? Should I write a series of short stories? Should I blog my story, one post per day (no matter what the length)? I have a couple of weeks to figure it out, but I'm definitely thinking about adding to the workload. [shrug] Why not?

(Aside: I have the TV going on in the background and someone explained thier amazing ability to lie by saying "I've been married." I hate statements like that. Yes, it's like having a quote from The Office be a representative statement for working in an office, but it's still off-putting.)

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that you might consider the writing whether it be blog or in a journal. Even during the most stressful times, you need something to release the tension. Whether you write for 5 minutes or for 15 minutes, any time can help you.
Good luck on the future exams.

Anne C. said...

Thanks, Rebekah, that's good advice. In fact, that's one of the options I was thinking of -- writing something by hand. I've never done it for an extended period of time. It might be an interesting change up, plus provide the much needed time away from the computer.
Thanks!

Stacey said...

I would caution you to not underestimate the "modified" goal. Being the queen of doing "just one more thing" when all around me is pressure, it would be my advice to write if you want to, but don't tie it to something that has a deadline; it seems you have plenty of other deadlines to make. I'm concerned the pressure of another goal might push you in the direction of the aforementioned meltdown. :)

Anne C. said...

Wise words from an expert. :)

Unknown said...

Why is it that so many of your immediate family seem to take on more challenges and commitments than they have time for? Is it learned behavior, I think not its just that some nuts don't fall far from the tree (LOL)!

I like Stacey's advice, you're wise to have such wise friends.

Max Cutrell said...

as per Gregg's comment: I somehow got skipped on that family trait....

Oh, and it was Bionic Woman you were watching aye? ;-)

Anne C. said...

Yep, I was. I ended up turning to a different show before the episode ended. I'm not impressed with B.W.