Well, the writing conference in Coeur D’Alene was my last big serious effort to improve my writing skills. It was at the end of April, and followed by a very busy summer season. I managed to keep meeting with a writing group and even do a little more work, but not a lot.
This fall finds me directing a traditional British Panto (cast of 25!) and homeschooling my three kids, ages 9, 10 and 13. Into the midst of this looms Nanowrimo.
My oldest wishes to do Nanowrimo this year, and wants me to do it with him. I have my established group from last year egging me on as well, but practically speaking, I’m not thinking 50K is reasonable. 25K might be, or I thought of going for a “time” goal rather than “word count” goal. One hour solid writing a day is a win no matter how you look at it.
So fine, set the bar differently for yourself due to life circumstances. The problem is, I know myself enough to know my competitive side will rear it’s ugly head. I’ll see other peoples’ word counts and get mad (read, jealous) and no matter what it costs me or my poor neglected housework, I’ll bloody well finish the 50K!
Why so rabid? Well, I got a LOT of satisfaction from completing (WINNING) Nanowrimo last year. It’s not that I don’t have challenging, mentally stimulating projects in my life. It’s that nothing else I ever do tells me I’m a WINNER and gives me certificate when I’m done!