I learned something new this month. I can do a lot more than I thought possible. And without sacrificing sleep, food and fun, too. If you saw last month’s post, you’ll probably already know that what I’m talking about is related to NaNoWriMo. I thought I was insane to sign up for it, and that I had only a slim chance of achieving it, but it turns out it’s not the case. I’m currently a few days over the halfway mark, and I’m still on track. I’m managing my 2.5k words a day, weekdays only, and I’m also running my business, walking the dog, doing boring household chores and sleeping the same amount. Last week, I even managed to write and submit a short story, THEN did my NaNo words.
I’m not sure how I’m doing it. I’m not mainlining coffee, as I don’t drink it. I’m not even mainlining energy drinks. I’m just doing it… somehow. I suspect it’s down to the pressure. Whereas some people crack under pressure, I get more focussed, driven, determined to succeed. I hate letting others down, and, turns out, dislike letting myself down. And so, even at this stage, I’m pretty damn sure I’m going to “win” NaNoWriMo. I’m even considering doing it every month. Imagine the novels I could churn out at that rate of writing… 🙂
What can you take from this? Firstly, remember that no two people are the same, and the things that work for one person won’t necessarily work for another. But it’s definitely worth giving pressure a try – give yourself a deadline, or scare yourself by pitching something to a publisher that you haven’t written yet. It’s truly amazing what you can do when you really set your mind to it. I can write 2.5k a day, EVERY weekday, dammit. Something I never thought was possible.
At this rate, I’ll have subbed the book by mid-January. Watch this space…
*****
Lucy Felthouse is a very busy woman! She writes erotica and
erotic romance in a variety of subgenres and pairings, and has over eighty
publications to her name, with many more in the pipeline. These include several
editions of Best Bondage Erotica, Best Women’s Erotica 2013 and Best Erotic
Romance 2014. Another string to her bow is editing, and she has edited and
co-edited a number of anthologies, and also edits for a small publishing house.
She owns Erotica For All, and is book
editor for Cliterati. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join
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Hey, Lucy,
I think being organized is a big part of it. Also, it sounds as though you have quite a bit of control over the schedule of your days. As for me, I never know what's going to come up!
Anyway, congratulations on your Nano success!