I took a vacation. We went to the beach, which was a much needed break for my husband. I had intended to write, imagining myself sitting on the balcony listening to the sounds of the waves and typing away, drawing massive inspiration from the salt air and ocean breezes.
The reality was that I got sucked into a great book, the air stank of dead fish - thanks to red tide - and the beach was gross, so any inspiration I was hoping for went out the window with the griping and complaining from my family. Bonus! Turns out the red tide can make people sick too! It was coming ashore for three days before we found out, and so like dummies we had been sitting outside breathing in the aerosolized toxin (you get used to the fish smell after a bit and the pool was nice, so...). All of us came home with a red tide caused case of respiratory infection. It's like the souvenir that just keeps giving. I opened up Scrivener last night and read a little of what I had written before vacation, checked my word count and realized that I am not in bad shape. I think I can still easily meet my deadline. And even better, the book I read on vacation was really good and probably the first novel I have been able to read all the way through in a sitting like that in a long time. It was nice to use a little of what I have learned as an author to look at what the writer was doing in the story and see where I could strengthen my own story. I may not have gotten any words on paper, but I came home with a beefier plan, so that's a good thing and probably the best souvenir from the worst vacation ever. I wrote 14,339 words in August. My goal for the month was 6,255 words.
That right there is a bunch of words. Progress. Goals punched in the face LIKE A BOSS. Here's the funny thing. I wasn't expecting such a great number. I didn't write every day. I did pretty good, but not every day good like I wanted. We started school, we started back to a full fall schedule at church. And I started exercising...and that eats up writing time, but it's really good for me. I read more this last month too. Another thing that eats up writing time, but does wonders for my writing, as seen in the overall word count. Reading great fiction helps me in so many ways, not the least of which is inspiring me to write more. This is a great pick-me-up since I am currently dealing with a case of "I'll-Never-Be-Good-Enough-To-Be-Published-Itis." Maybe I can do this after all. Maybe I can finish this book. Onward into September - goal: 8,340 words. |
AuthorI write. I am unpublished. Hoping to change that. Archives
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