But golly, I truthfully never meant to be a drop-out of NaNo. That surely rings out like I’m a quitter; ugh! Typically, committment means a great deal to me so when I make one, I follow through to the end, I soldier on and all that stuff...well, that was until; hmmm...
For those of you who don’t know what NaNO is, let me explain. The entire month of November is dedicated to writing a novel of a minimum of 50,000 words. Individuals, who are writers, or aspire to be writers, work diligently to wrap up the arduous task of crossing this goal line before midnight on the last day of the month; I aspired as well!
I signed up for the contest and anxiously awaited for opening day. For the first week, I typed, I typed and typed some more. My diligence led to an accomplishment of 6,393 words. Although temporarily, I was neglecting my husband and my son as well as ignoring the book I had just signed a contract to complete. My Life as a Dog… manuscript needed to be wrapped up so it could be sent to the editor. What was a gal to do?
Something had to give…so guess what it was? Yes, NaNoWriMo…hence, I’m a drop out! However, the dictionary defines a drop out to mean to withdraw from participation or membership. Gosh, that sounds so much better, doesn’t it? I had such high aspirations, too.
But here it is, closing day of the challenge and I’m no further along than the 6,393 words I’d compiled the first seven days. Again, UGH!!! I try my very best not to live off of Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda’s…I could’ve done it had I just not slept, I should have just sucked it up and plunged through to the end or I would have finished if I’d sacrificed everything; family included…
Even though I didn’t finish, I congratulate all my friends and those in the blog community who did complete the goal! Hurray for you! I mean that sincerely! You have a great deal to be proud of, so CONGRATULATIONS!
…and in closing, a toast to next year’s competition! Furthermore, may I not be a Drop-Out!
Here contains an earlier post to my quandry: http://thinkingspot-tracy.blogspot.com/2010/11/happy-writing.html
23 comments:
Well at least you tried. That is more than a lot of people did. I didn't even know about it!
Hay, finish that book, that obligation came first.
Hope you can use those 6,393 words you produced for another project.
Keep us informed on the book. Sounds like something I would like.
Better luck next year! And hey, at least you have 6,393 words. That's 6,393 more than none!
There's a reason why the percentage of NaNo participants who won last year was only 19.2%: NaNo is hard! You're obviously not the only one who "quit," and only did so because you had more important things to do with your life! Some of us don't have that luxury. =)
You can try again next year (or not). I'm just glad that you got to experience a few days of the madness that is NaNoWriMo!
I like it that you worked to get started.I think that would be some heavy work for one month. I am happy to be close to what you had, but then again I take life as it comes.I keep files going with new ideas, but try to finish within a week for 1000 or less.I got 175 pages into a project and lost my inspiration and started all over again.Never used the first part, but the practice is what we all need to keep plugging away.If you stop it takes a while to get back in shape.Let someone else share your idea and get some feedback toward what you are doing.
Actually I think that is smart, after all, priorities are priorities! That is a whole bunch of words in a short period of time!
YES Wanda, at least I tried~ self-forgiveness is a powerful thing!
Champs...I don't know the song, but I surely like the words! You're right, life does get in the way at times, but that too, is a blessing that I have life to get in the way. Thanks Hon!
Arkansas Patti, yes, I have one or two more entries to finish my book which by the way, I have fallen in love with. If you look back in my posts there are some entries of My Life as a Dog so it'll give you some flavor of the book!
DeeDee, you're right, there is next year! Congrats on your finish :)
Thanks Erin...it certainly was madness~ and under different circumstances, I'll do it again! Maybe when Nicholas is in college?
Thanks Out on the Prairie, isn't it amazing those projects we start? if we could combine all of them together, perhaps we'd have a finished project? ...just a thought! But you're right, the plugging away at anything we set our mind to is the key; thanks for pointing that out!
Brian...I know, I know..priorities! and I love my priorities; namely my husband and son, so really no regrets!
Where was I? I never heard a word about this contest, lol. Probably glad, too. I would have been one piece of paper short of a page.
You know, Tracy, you have a talent. I don't think it should be done as a deadline of a month, but I "do" think you should keep on with it and see what happens. You never know, big things might be in store :)
By the way, I was once kicked out of Brownies for teaching the other little Brownies how to flip for money. Flipping was done with baseball cards and pennies -- sort of the beginning of Craps for Kids, I guess you'd say. Geez. With that, I'm going to fix my morning coffee and shower and dress and head out to the mall :)
I'm in the process of learning Lojong...One of the principles I just read was "In this life, concentrate of achieving what is most meaningful." I'd say that husband and son are really the most meaningful...
It's all about the game my friend, you'll get it next year. I'm curious about this "Life as a Dog?" Being the owner of 3 :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Nah, don't feel bad at all! Especially if you ditched NaNo to finish a manuscript you have a contract for, my goodness! Priorities, woman. LOL It's not like NaNo is that important, anyway (can you tell I'm not into NaNo? heehee).
Don't punish yourself... All of us start things and don't complete them --for various reasons. I don't think of it as dropping out--just moving on to something else. We all have good intentions and we 'want' to do more than we physically and mentally CAN at times. You will find time to do the things which mean the most to you... That's just LIFE....
Kids on the other hand though need to stick with things IF they sign up for them ---until they are completed. Too many kids become irresponsible by never finishing what they start --and never learning about commitment... SO---I feel differently when it comes to kids/teens... Once they become adults, then they can have more leeway when it comes to choices... AND--once they become old LIKE ME--they can do any darn thing in the world they want to... ha ha
Hugs,
Betsy
Never knew about this contest! Thanks for the info! Now if I could have just used that to help complete the three papers I have due in two weeks ;)
It's okay. Sometimes we just take on more than we can do well. We have to prioritize. And sometimes even drop out. Good luck with your book, can't wait to read it!!
JenniD, your comment about being one page short made me smile; and thank you for acknowledgin my work as talent! Don't we all lack confidence in ourselves and our abilities? I do especially when I read the phenomenal works of others on the blogs...
Whew, glad I wasn't the only one kicked out of something where character is involved! I hope the trip to the mall was successful!
Turquoise Moon, how fascinating! I never heard of LoJong; now I will have to investigate. As a self-described perfectionist, it's often hard to know I can't complete something. Thanks for the info.
Jules, thanks dear...did you get my message on your site about my book?
Carol Riggs, thanks for the encouragement and the perspective...we all need a little, you know?
Ahhh, Betsy, I like how you 're-framed' my dropping out as to moving onto other things; thank you! Regarding kids, I feel EXACTLY as you do; they need to finish what they start! My husband and I always have had that motto...although funny story- my son was about 5 and wanted to play flag-football. WEll, he's no more of a football player than a farmer but we wanted to give him the opportunity. Well, the very first game he took himself out and sat on the side-lines AWAY from the rest of the team and refused to play. He disliked it so much he just refused...that is the only instance where we let him 'quit' and we laugh about it now!
Julie, you could always pretend that is what the next couple of weeks are for is finishing your three papers...put a NaNo insignia on your desktop to emmulate it? :0 okay, well just a thought!
Thanks Bobbi...you're right, we do take on too much at times...reminds me of the holidays, yes?
I'll keep you posted on the book!
How fun, I didn't know you were a writer! And I have no idea what the challenge was all about either. I would love to read the book when it comes out.--Inger
For some reason, I would have no desire to take on that challenge. I know me and I know I would not complete it. I probably wouldn't know where to start, or even want to start for that matter.
I'm a 50 year-old slacker and I'm okay with that too. ;) Good to meet you Tracy. Look forward to connecting.
Inger, I'm working on the 'writer' title...for so long I was a closet writer because I feared failure, but now try to just go for it and see where it takes me. I'll keep you posted!
Nancy, I wouldn't call you a slacker by any means from reading all about you on your blog...far from it! i think the older we get, the more okay with 'us' we get, don't you think?
Have a good evening friends!
Sometimes, we need to prioritize what we want to do. It is totally possible to be involved in too many good things. The wise person knows when to "back out" of one or two so that they can give time to the things that matter most in their lives. I know that you will get the book done. And just because you did not get it done in November, doesn't mean you can't finish it up any time in the next couple of months. Thomas Edison failed over 10,000 times in his quest to invent the electric light bulb. But he only would have truly failed if he would have stopped trying. Have a great day!!
Having an "unfinished" NaNo project from last year, I don't think drop out is exactly right. IMO everyone that writes something they normally might not have written because of NaNo is a winner! That's right! So congratulations on writing 6,393 words you hadn't written before November!
Hey Tracy! Fear not, I am a twice-failed NaNoist (lol), and I haven't lost the will to live just yet. :) I kid, of course... I opted out this year but I have to admit I missed the fun and the challenge even though November is one of the most difficult months for me to write just due to work (the Real Job), hosting Thanksgiving, and my kids invariably getting sick. But rejoice in whatever writing you did. You can always try NaNo again if you feel like it, but either way, you have a story started! :)
Hi Tracy,
I am sure it wasn't for the lack of enthusiam and talent on your part. I love the way you write and always enjoy it so much when I come here and read. So I hope you don't become a blogger dropout.lol!
Oh and just for the record...I withdrew from participation in track when I was a freshman in high school. Yep! I got kicked off the team for only being there to meet boys.hehe
Thank you so much for the well wishes!
hugs
Patty Ann,
That is what another friend told me, that it is wise...just not a good quitter, I guess!
REbecca, good point; that IS 6,393 words I didn't have written in November... sounds to me a good start for another time! GREAT re-framing!
June, Thanks for the vote of confidence...and I'm glad you stop by! your comments make me smile :)
and BTW...to funny for getting kicked off the track team; did you at least meet someone before you got the boot?
Thanks Dangerous for adding a smile to my face; you're right, it's not life or death!
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