Developing The Writing Habit

Over the years, I have constantly found myself lost in the dream. The universe within. I would spend HOURS sitting quietly, dreaming up new places and new conflicts. I would float in the ether of my thoughts while time marched on. But here's the thing: all those ideas could lead to something...but only if you start writing them down. That was a major sticking point for me. I would have these wonderful epiphany moments, and then go about my day. Later that evening I would try to recall the perceived brilliance of my idle thoughts, and would be crest-fallen by my own lack of follow-through.

A couple of years ago, I decided that I would take the plunge. I would dust off an idea that I had been kicking around for the better part of a decade AND ACTUALLY START WRITING IT DOWN. The first 20,000 words were slow. Grueling in fact. I had no set parameters for how much I intended to write, or how long it would take me, and initially, that helped me get out of my own way. I told myself repeatedly that it didn't matter how much time it was taking me, I was doing it. With two small children in the background, no less. It felt good to be writing, and I was getting excited to tell the stories of this series of characters who had become incredibly real for me.

This year, as November approached, I decided to tackle another of my long time writing goals: I would participate in NaNoWriMo, and complete Part Two of my novel in a single month. As I sit writing this, I am still in the midst of that goal. We are half way through the month, and the 30 day deadline, and I am over half way to the 50,000 word goal. It is a heady feeling to be on course in an undertaking that even last year I would have said was impossible for me, and my crazy hectic life. But here's the thing, I am capable - We are all capable of incredible things, as long as we stick to it.

So reach for the stars. Keep writing. Always.

#NaNoWriMo #PepTalk