Ever since I can remember I've said that I wanted to write a book. I took one creative writing course about a million years ago. I haven't really ever completed writing anything. Actually, the title of this blog is the title of a memoir I've thought of writing about my wonderful Nana.
Anyways, I've decided to try something crazy, especially for me. I'm going to try and write a novel in a month! Sounds nuts, right? I agree. The whole idea is to basically free-write. No editing, nothing. Just write. You can read more about it at NaNoWriMo.
I'm pretty excited about this, but nervous too. For someone who's never really written anything, to write about 1700 words a day is a daunting task. Add to that that I'm not real good at follow-through on these types of things. I'm really going to try. Whatever I do accomplish will be awesome!
GOOD FOR YOU! Brave and wonderful--
ReplyDeleteI have many friends who do this crazy thing, and you know what?
THEY DO IT YEAR AFTER YEAR
it forces you to write, not perfectly, not anally, just write. And for most of us, the hardest thing is to just do it and let go of expectations about how perfect it must be, how well thought out, how well plotted.
Thank you for your incredibly kind comment on my heartwork blog. And congratulations on becoming a grandma!
One note about CBT-- sometimes I have to change what i do even if I have not yet changed how I think-- so let those two pieces be fluid if they need to be. Sometimes the Doing helps the Thinking come into alignment. Of course, it is hard to remember these things when in the thick of it.
warm wishes to you,
Kate
Also blogging at www.kate-johnson.com
Hi Kate : )
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I'm not sure how far I'll get with the writing, but like you said, it forces you to just write. It gets your be-hind in motion!
Good thought about being fluid with the DBT, thanks.
Blessings,
Debbie
Oops...I meant CBT. (DBT is very similar in that it is a cognitive therapy.)
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you re my grandson. He is so precious and brings such joy to the entire family.
I did it a few years back, although I just used it as an opportunity to force myself to journal more... and it was so freeing to just write, to let the censor sleep and to know that for a whole month I focused on quantity, not quality... and what do you know... there was an awful lot of quality that came from it :)... a lot of not so quality too ;). But it was for me so freeing to just commit to the process itself... especially as one who doesn't always follow through.
ReplyDeleteNow you have inspired me to think about doing it again!! :)
Oh do it with me Erica! We can encourage one another. I know for sure I'll need it!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking that I have no idea how to go about writing a novel. I don't even read them for goodness sakes! I read nonfiction. I'm looking forward to it though. Maybe it'll bring out the novel writer in me!
Like you said, just committing to it and following through will be an accomplishment.