Category Archives: Camp NaNoWriMo

Maybe I’ll try camping

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CNW_Participant_Twitter.jpegI haven’t given Camp NaNoWriMo much thought this time around. I usually don’t, truth be told. It’s not that I’m not interested, it’s that I typically fail miserably, unlike the full NaNo during November. Won every year since I started, back in 2011. Aren’t I awesome? (Blushes)

In all seriousness, I have a project I would like to finish, and I’ve been working on it sporadically, and I would love to muscle my way to the end. I’m hoping Camp NaNo will give me that last little boost I need to reach my goal. Currently I’m at 31,898 words, and though my ultimate goal is 75K words, I’m shooting for a Camp goal of 25k words. I’m hoping to surpass that goal, but I don’t want to push myself to exhaustion. Once a year is enough for that!

The project I’m working on is a project I’ve been trying to get right for ages. I’ve written and rewritten it several times, but I just can’t seem to get it right. I think I’m finally on the right track this time, having to change my character a bit. I think I tried to shoehorn my main character into a role that just wasn’t her.

So I’ve got a lot written already, but I’m hoping to get myself set up to reach the end of this one. I’m going to have to set aside some time to write, and though it’s not going to be easy, I know it’ll be worth it in the end.

The towel has been thrown

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I concede defeat. I just don’t have it in me to finish this little project. Another failed Camp NaNoWriMo is under my belt. Now realistically, I have more than enough time to make it to the end. I showed a lot of promise at the beginning of the month, but now I’m limping towards an ending that should have happened about a thousand words ago. It ain’t gonna happen.

I’m alright with that, though I know I shouldn’t be. I’m all mojo’d out for some inexplicable reason. I hate losing my mojo. Maybe I lost my muse. I’ll check with Craigslist or Ebay and see if I can buy a new one. I’d settle with a gently used muse.

 

My Camp NaNo Update – Um..yeah

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Camp NaNoWriMo is down to its last three days? How have you fared? I’m in a full blown panic even though I set a very modest 10k word goal. I’m at 4100. Yeah, I suck. I never do well in the summer. I’m too easily distracted.

That’s no excuse, however, and I vow to win this by any means necessary! Well, I’ll just write until my fingers fly off. Seriously, only about 2k words a day. It’s totally doable. I just have to sit and write.

Well, after The Big Bang Theory goes off. I need my comedy fix to lift my spirits. My goal is to pass the 6k word mark before bed.

On this holiday weekend…

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Happy 4th of July! Yes, in spite of the fact that I work at a retail store, on that is open today, I somehow managed to get the day off! I’m not going to complain. I’m elated to have a day to relax at home, spend some time with family, and just be an all out bum.

Actually, I did do a little work today. I cooked the obligatory holiday meal. I braised some ribs in the oven, though I lit the grill to cook out some chicken breasts and sausages. That, with coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and some avocado rounded out our small feast. I’m stuffed. I really want a nap.

Instead I’m writing. My story for NaNoWriMo is taking shape, though it is slowly doing so. I should be more diligent in writing, but I can’t. That’s why the low word goal. I may have to up the goal to 25K words, but I’ll decide that later, and I may do that for myself and leave the set goal at 10K. I’m not even sure I can change it.

On a more serious note, I want to take some time and do a quick Public Service Announcement. Please take care this 4th of July weekend. Remember that traffic with be heavier than usual, so please, please, please keep an eye out for other drivers, and please don’t drink and drive.

The reason I bring this up, last night I went to Plainview to grab a few things from Walmart. As I drove home, I passed a horrifying scene on the access road to I-27. At the on ramp, I saw two vehicles that had been in a front-end collision. I could not count the number of first responders on the scene, but the flashing lights only hinted at the severity of the accident.

A hospital helicopter landed moments before I passed the scene, undoubtedly to fly the more severely injured to Lubbock. Helpless in the situation, all I could do was say a quick prayer for the victims of the crash, and selfishly hope that I didn’t know the victims of the car crash. My prayers were answered, sort of.

I found out later last night that one person had been pronounced dead at the scene. This morning I found out that the deceased was the older sister of a classmate of mine from high school. How do you process this? I’m glad I wasn’t affected but sorry you were? I felt my heart sink because someone I knew ages ago would be experiencing a terrible ordeal this holiday weekend.

So while I may have had a delicious meal this evening, and while I may have spent the time with family, I know of at least on family impacted by a devastating event. I’m sure scores of others with share in the misfortune before this weekend is over.

Please take care while having fun. Spend time with family and friends. Shoot off fireworks and illuminate the night sky. Most of all, just be safe.

Impossible standards

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Welcome to day 2 of Camp NaNoWriMo! How are you doing? I’m up to 1023 words, though I have yet to write today. I plan to write a bit after I’m done with my brief update.

I’m not far enough in to make any judgments, but It’s hard not to be judgmental about my own writing. It’s CRAP!!! Okay, probably not, but what I find so damn frustrating about writing is having a clear idea of what I want to say and then failing to do so. Again, I haven’t written enough to feel that way, but I already do, of course. Am I alone in feeling this way?

I’m overreacting. I should let go and let the story evolve as it will, but I can’t. I want it to be the way I mean it to be! Also, I want to write a perfect copy, one that needs no proofreading or editing. Perhaps another sign of my lunacy?

By the time I write my final line, I’m sure I’ll be simultaneously elated and horrified by the results of my labor. I’ll feel pride that I wrote this particular work while feeling ashamed that I haven’t lived up to my impossible standards. Surly, you understand. It’ll be fine. I just have to remember to type away and worry about cleaning up my writing once I’m done.

Before I get off for the night, I just want to add that I finished The Ship, by Allan Krummenacker, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you. I urge you to check out my review for The Bridge, before my next review goes live on Monday.