Well, got through the first week and got 15,223 words. My goal was 17,000, but still, not bad at all.
I had a strong start last year, too, but didn’t make the finish. I only managed about 30,000 words. Just like last year, life is remarkably busy and I have a convention right in the middle of it.
So the real challenge this year is to show a little more self-discipline than I did last year with my free time.
On a good night, I can write a thousand words in about an hour (maybe a bit longer. I tend to lose track of time). If I can keep up my self-discipline for the next three weeks, I can easily put down 1500-2000 words a night. But there are things I’m going to need to do:
Get enough sleep: I never do, and with a month like this I really need to, which means
Stay on schedule: Even tonight I’m up later than I should be. I live on a tight schedule most of the time, and this month, it’s tighter than most. I need to get my writing done in the time I have (usually 1 to 2 hours a night) and get to sleep by 10:30 p.m. so I can get up at 5:30 a.m. and
Exercise: I really need exercise. It keeps my brain alive and keeps my damaged bits from falling apart entirely. Also, it’s fun.
Stay away from coffee: I know, everyone talks about living on caffeine during Nanowrimo. I’m highly sensitive to the stuff and drinking it messes me up after a few days. Drinking it during the day leaves me exhausted at night, drinking it at night means no sleep, and no sleep means no creativity and no writing.
So that is the end of Week 1. Let’s see what week 2 will bring!