Well, for me, I’ve taken a break from writing since November 30th. I reached my 50,000 word goal and just stopped writing. Didn’t pick up my laptop for months, except to do school work. I made a point to turn away from my projects because of how much time I spent writing in the month of November to complete NaNoWriMo 2023.
I was at a disadvantage going in, I started 8 days late. Literally on November 8th, I was at work, listening to a podcast and heard the host mention NaNoWriMo, and my interest immediately peaked. So I looked it up, and low and behold I found a gem. So what did my chaotic 24 year old brain do? Committed to a challenge while already in the negative. But good thing for me, I already had a few thousand words written when I started. So don’t come for me, no that’s not cheating! If anything it’s utilizing my resources to my advantage. (shrug)
So November 8th, where were we? Oh yes, me and my laptop, after work, and that’s when it all started, the story I had been workshopping for months in my head, and slightly in a doc, came to life. Finally I was getting it down. NaNoWriMo is no freaking joke. There were really hard days, days where I was exhausted from running around a hospital all day and did not want to write. Days where I just wanted to play Hogwarts Legacy, but alas, I forced myself to write.
Prior to the NaNoWriMo challenge I told myself that I was the type of writer who could only write when they felt “inspired” or had to be “in the right headspace”, and yes, that still stands. But I have now learned that I can write under pressure and deadlines if need be. Mood out the window, pain out the damn window too. Just get it done. And that I did.
NaNoWriMo is freaking hard, but after completing it, I will say, it is achievable, especially if you start on November 1st. So, what’s my next move? To edit, and to find beta readers, to entrust my friends and family with a story I have poured my heart into. Then, to find an agent, they get published. This road is going to be long and heavy, but NaNoWriMo has given me that push, that drive, and most importantly, it made me realize that I can do this, I am capable, I am not worthless.
If you’re struggling with your writing goals and stumble upon this meager and poorly written article, then I hope it has inspired you. Sometimes giving yourself a closely timed goal is key. Sometimes pressure is key. After all, the hubby always says, “Pressure makes diamonds.” -e.f.
Xoxo,
Ari
Ariana Alexander 