We’ve just come past the end of week 2, half-way through NaNoWriMo…
If you’re on track or ahead, I applaud you! Keep writing!
Are you behind?
I know the feeling. I am too.
Are you starting to entertain some doubts, to question why you got into this writing endeavor in the first place, if it’s even worth it to continue?
You are not alone. We all have these doubts, especially in the middle of the month.
But if you’re looking for an answer, I have it for you:
It IS worth it.
Standing here at the end of the second week, the way to the top of this writing mountain may look very far away. It may look very inviting to just quietly step aside off the path and stop noveling. To return to the ordinariness of regular life, without the stressful added exertion of writing a novel in a month.
But don’t listen to the doubt! It. is. worth it.
I’ll tell you a secret. The other day, the doubts were crowding in on me. I was worried the words I’d written so far were slop; I had hit a slump and hadn’t been able to write and was falling behind. I was so tempted to just stop.
And you know what? I started asking why I was doing this. WHY was I committing to writing 50,000 words of this story of mine during November? And I dug deep inside and I found why.
It was because I love this story.
I had lost my love for it in the stress of busyness lately, in my goal to hit that 1667 word goal each day. I pulled out my love of the story, polished it, and it’s sitting at the front of my mind, reminding me why I’m going to try to write it. And with that love in hand, I know that I can find my way to the end of these 50,000 words, and further to revising the story into something readable.
So don’t give up on your story. Don’t stop writing it.
Yes, it may be a mess of a story, but it will be a STORY. It will be on pages. And it will be waiting there in all its glorious and wonderful messy first-draftness of completion, waiting to be shaped into the amazing novel to be found within. Before you can chip away at the block to form a statue, you first have to have the block itself. And if the block that you have is writer’s block… chip away at it! π
You can do this. Whether you write 1667 words a day or only 10, keep going. Write that story. Rediscover why you loved it enough to start on this adventure. And if you can’t find the love of the story, then find a new love, a new reason to continue it, and put THAT in the story. Fill it with something you care about, something important.
If you find that love, I promise that you will find the will to continue. Because your story matters, and only you can write it.
Behind though we may be, let’s press on, together — and may the words be ever in your favor.
Thank you for this! Gah today is one of those days when I feel like I’m horrible at everything. Writing a YA contemporary novel isn’t my usual thing, so the second novel is not going very well.
I’m going to try and use this to keep me going. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Welcome! ^_^ Hope it’s helpful. π GO GO! You can do it! π I don’t usually write contemporary YA, BUT it feels like the only thing I’ve been writing the last year or two, so I feel out of place writing medieval fantasy this NaNo. XD Happy writing! β€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let me huggle this post. Though I’m not Nanoing this year (I haven’t ever…yet), it’s still so encouraging! Because in any writing project, those moments of doubt can hit. I’ve had countless moments…days…weeks…like that, for various books. But ultimately, it’s when I rediscover all the reasons I love those stories that I find a way to press on. (That and the despicable thought of giving up on something I’ve worked on for so long. XD ) Thank you for the beautiful reminder, dear Celti! β€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I’m glad it could be encouraging, despite lack of NaNoing! π (Someday… π ) And yes, I agree, the thought of giving up is also a push to keep going. π You’re so welcome and thanks for your lovely comment, deary! β€
LikeLike
YES. I needed this. I need someone to glue me to my chair so I’ll write. And I also need someone to write a 1000+ word essay for me and a ton of other assignments. π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! And… here you go. *hands you glue* *gives you helpful clone who will complete said tasks* There y’are. XD
(Srsly though, I know the feeling, ugh! o.o But you can do it! ^_^)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, thank you!!!! π Hopefully a seatbelt will work as well as glue…
LikeLiked by 1 person
THANK YOU. Thank you so much for this completely perfect and timely post!
This week has not been easy, and my motivation is deflating. I often do question why on earth I put myself through this every single November. But what you said is so very true: It is worth it. Have I regretted each book I wrote for all the past NaNos? No. Not at all. I’m GLAD I put all that work into them and wrote them. And I know this novel will be no different. Sometimes life just gets in the way and the stress tires us out, leaving no room for the strenuous mental work of noveling. But we have to fight the doubts and remember we love our novels, just as you said.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this! It is perfection. I adore how you said we have to have a block before making a statue, and if it’s a writer’s block to chip away at it. xD So true!
You are such an encouragement!!! *HUGGLES* β€
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! I’m so glad it could be helpful for you. ^_^ I’m sorry about your tough week, but YES it’s still worth it! Thanks for sharing your lovely thoughts! You inspire me, you know that? β€ *huggles back*
LikeLike
YES! I really needed this! β€ Perfection isn't necessary! That first draft will be revised. The point is having fun! π Thank you for the encouragement! WE. CAN. DO IT! π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you found it helpful! ^_^ That makes me happy. And YES, everything you just said! π β€
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! A friend of mine is a bit behind and this is perfect for her. Thank you!
storitorigrace.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, you’re welcome! ^_^ I hope she found it helpful. β€
LikeLiked by 1 person
She did!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: My (Not-So-)Secret Weapons For Surviving NaNoWriMo | The Road of a Writer