Sooo, it's November. As a lot of other writers know, it's National Novel Writing Month, lovingly abbreviated as NaNo. I don't know how long it's been around, but I first heard of it maybe five or so years ago. The whole point of the month is to try and write 50,000 words in a month. Sounds like a solid, sane idea, right? Yeah, not so much. I'm pretty sure the whole idea is a little overambitious at best, and completely nuts at worst.
Add a crazy life to the mix, and it becomes even less sane.
I have no idea why I would choose 2012 to try my hand at this. Before I had kids was the ideal time, but I didn't know about it then.
This year is probably one of the worst years I could have chosen. I have two kids. Very young, needy, worrisome kids, one of which has special needs. I go to no less than four appointments every single week, during the five days a week that these places are open. My youngest is constantly climbing, or destroying, or swallowing something. I can see only a sliver of my office floor. Plastic building blocks, tiny socks, and broken crayons are everywhere. I have bills, and phone calls, and errands out the wazoo.
Today is November 20. I have logged 3,565 words. Out of 50,000.
If I make the word count in the next ten days, I'm sure someone will find the burned remains of my clothing in the chair at my desk, as I will have spontaneously combusted.
As I look from the calendar, to the clock, to the growing pile of dishes and laundry and mail, I ask myself, What the hell was I thinking?
What made me think I would actually do well with NaNo, at this time in my life?
A lot of my writing buddies are doing it, and blasting out thousands of words a day. Granted, these people are largely free from the responsibilities of young children and/or spouses. Their life stage is not better or worse than mine, just different.
I will probably write more on the WIP I started, because it's a project I've been sitting on for a while. But I'm done pressuring myself to make the NaNo goal. It's just not going to happen this year.
My life is hectic now, and there's not much I can do to change it. C'est la vie.
Ever been in over your head? Tell me about it in the comments.
Until Next Time,
Kianna/Alexandra
