What is even time anymore? And yet, here we are, gathering for another blog hop among the Insecure Writers Support Group. Purpose of the IWSG: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! The awesome co-hosts for the December 2 posting of the IWSG are Pat Garcia, Sylvia Ney, Liesbet @ Roaming About Cathrina Constantine, and Natalie Aguirre! Be sure to check out their fine blogs!
December 2 question – Are there months or times of the year that you are more productive with your writing than other months, and why?
Well, it sure wasn’t November! For the first time in four years, NaNoWriMo coincided with the start of a new novel project, so I signed up. I even attended three virtual write-ins, something I’d never found helpful in person. It was fun chatting with local writers, but I’m still not a sprinter—which is fine. I plodded while they sprinted, and we chatted during the breaks. In the end, I reached 42,777 words. Considering how distracted and distressed I was by the election, the pandemic, and general feelings of doom, I’ll count that as a win. If there were a badge for number of times an author checks Twitter and news sites during what’s supposed to be writing time, I’d win that one for sure.
Normally, I’d say I’m more productive in January and February when the Pacific Northwest weather is too soggy and cold to enjoy the outdoors much and the holiday festivities are finished. Normally, Hubs would be out of the house teaching math classes at our local community college. Normally, I’d bundle up in my fuzziest sweater and softest pajama pants, drink too much coffee, and write, write, write.
Ah, but these are not normal times. Ain’t no holiday festivities to speak of. Hubs is home all the time—aren’t we all?—and he’s bored, the poor extrovert. He gets his energy from talking to people, and I’m the only people around, so… Don’t get me wrong–I’m grateful to have a partner to lean on during this awful year. I can’t imagine going this alone.
Lately, I seem to top out at about 1,500 words per day. Beyond that, I lose my concentration—and that’s okay too. I’m grateful I can concentrate at all. Many excellent writers just can’t deal right now. Or so I’ve read on Twitter—did I mention I spend far too much time there?
I wish y’all a healthy, happy, productive holiday season, whichever (if any) of the holidays you’re celebrating this year. May you emerge on the other side with body, heart, and mind intact.
Speaking of holidays, I’ve got a Christmas romance on sale! Not suitable for the Hallmark Channel, this one’s on the steamy side and is set in a neighborhood bar in Tacoma, Washington—my hometown. Just 99¢ through 12/4!
Get your copy from your favorite ebook retailer:
https://books2read.com/b/3JjPxP
Boy, I wonder how many of us this year can relate to items you’ve mentioned. Enjoy the holidays, or ‘whatever’. 🙂 There’s a fantastic picture of the Saint’s Bridge in Wuerzburg with snow on my fb. Don’t know who took the picture but it is recent/current. Love to you.
And to you and Don!
I really wanted NaNoWriMo to work for me this year, but it coincided with starting a new job and still struggling to adjust to life in a new apartment so maybe I’ll have better luck next year!
Right? This year has been all kinds of extraordinary. I’ll be glad to wave good-bye to 2020.
I never could write well under pressure, so I admire anyone who goes through the November challenge. A welcome to 2021!
42,777 words for NaNo in 2020 is definitely a win!
I think that was a great NaNo output! And I’m wishing you the best as you try to finish up. PNW winters are good for writing, no question!
I think I would count 42,777 words during NaNoWriMo a win! You deserve a trophy and a congratulations! November was a crazy tricky month, with the elections and the pandemic. The only reason I “survived” and was productive is because I stopped at comfortable free campsites with cell service (and actually stayed for more than one night) AND I created a crazy deadline for publication for myself. Was it a fun month? Not at all? I don’t even know I (we) got through it! So, I think you are doing just fine. Distractions are part of the game. Or, you could always go camp in places where there is no internet/Twitter. That helps with writing those words. 🙂
Yep, it’s a win. Now don’t lose your momentum. You go girl.
Anna from elements of emaginette
42,777 words in one month is a definite win! Good for you for staying productive. I finally deleted Twitter – just too much toxicity no matter how I set the filters.
Hey, that’s a lot of words and nothing to sneeze about. Any getting any productive work in this year is a hell of big accomplishment, I think.