Confession time: I haven’t done morning pages in a week, and this past Saturday and Sunday I had to lower my word quota from 1,000 words to 500. Sigh.
That said, I’m still making steady progress and writing every day. The WIP just cracked 20k words, and my goal is 80k. (Although it doesn’t feel 1/4 done yet…) So anyway, I’m really not going to beat myself up. And even if I thought I should, frankly I’m just too tired. The Week of Chaos is, in fact, chaotic.
(Plus I just balled my eyes out over tonight’s heartbreaking and wonderful episode of Life Unexpected. Beating myself up now would just be mean.)
Instead I’m going to shower, read, write, and go to bed early. Because the Week of Chaos continues tomorrow. It is a whole week, after all.
Meanwhile, I leave you with this:
• Although we sat way up in the press box, I did take pictures and video at the Houston rodeo. This year they added an event called “mutton busting,” and it was ADORABLE. 5 year olds hugging sheep as they run out of a chute? Can we all say AWWW?
• YA author Justine Larbalestier blogged about “Writing as a Career v. Writing as an Identity”:
I have been a writer since I first learned how as a small child. I have been an author since I sold my first novel. There was a thirty year gap between the two. During the time that I was a writer-not-an-author I wrote hundreds of poems and short stories, and beginnings of novels, and two novels. That writing was a huge part of who I was. When I didn’t write I was miserable. When I was writing a lot I was joyous.
(Psst, Sonja! I thought of you when I was reading this.)
• Last but not least, the ever-hilarious XKCD illustrates why “Porn For Women,” isn’t.
19 responses to “Feeling human after all”
I’m so depressed, I’ve gotten absolutely no writing done at all lately. I don’t think I’m going to hit my 100k goal for May 30th unless I write a grand a day for the next 2 months. That said, I’m trying not to kick myself for it since I’m trying to get DK off the ground. What’s a girl to do?
The mutton busting video is to die for cute.
Oh – don’t sweat lowering the magic wordcount threshold. 500 words is better than 300 words which is better than zero! And I’m usually at a 500 words/night pace, so I feel better knowing there’s other people like me. :-)
And on top of that, I’ve nominated you for an award over on my blog. http://jayeckert.blogspot.com/2010/03/five-by-seven-likes-and-truths.html
.-= • Recent post by Jay Eckert: Five by Seven – Likes and Truths =-.
Poor Kristan! I hope your chaotic week goes by super fast. : )
.-= • Recent post by Kimberly Franklin: And the Twilight Giveaway winner is… =-.
Les-
Seriously, you can’t be upset with yourself! DK is an amazing endeavor! Once it’s gotten its legs under, you can go back to writing and find the right balance.
Jay-
AW, you said I’m funtastic! MADE MY DAY!
Kimberly-
Me too. Do you have a time turner, like Hermione? (Or wait, did those things only make MORE time?)
Psst, Kristan! I thought of me when I was reading this, too!
;)
.-= • Recent post by Sonja: In which my feelings about the dentist speak volumes about my feelings about my life =-.
So, morning pages…yeah I did that for a few days, but I find it distracting while I’m writing the novel. You are doing SO well, Kristan, 500 wds/day is very, very good! Having that flexibility is great too for when you’re less busy and you have a chance to write more.
love the quote by Justine.
.-= • Recent post by Sarah: Night Bird =-.
aw, 500 words daily is a great goal…you can *always* overshoot! are you doing morning pages, as in the artist’s way? I think I did that some time ago, but my mornings are no longer mine. now I do all my writing at midnight! :) good luck on chaos week!
I love hearing you and your mom laugh in that sheep-hugging video. :-) That’s all my brain can put together after traveling the entire day.
Sarah-
Thanks for the encouragement, made me smile. :) I agree, 500 words a day is good. I guess I was just a little bummed having to “tone down” my weekend quota for the first time.
Elissa Janine-
Yeah, haha, as in The Artist’s Way. But my “morning” pages were really afternoon or evening pages. My morning isn’t mine either. :P
Alex-
Aww. Well, I’m glad you’re back safe and I hope you had a lovely trip!
It’s the writing that counts, no matter how much or how little, right? As long as you’re chipping away with a plastic spoon, you’re still finishing the sculpture.
.-= • Recent post by Jon: On Being Interesting =-.
I’ve had to lower word count goals during chaotic weeks. Not fun but at least you’re writing every day. Hold onto that! And when you get blue, just think of mutton busting. :)
.-= • Recent post by Samantha Bennett: Maplessness =-.
I think it’s good to set an amount of wrting and routine every day, but I also think you shouldn’t beat yourself up over it. There are going to be times when you feel like writing and times when maybe you need a break (like this weekend for you). It sounds like you’re working hard and you’re getting a lot more writing done than I have lately, go yay! :)
.-= • Recent post by Rachele Alpine: We Just Needed A Break…. =-.
Jon-
Haha, nice analogy! Yes, I guess my plastic spoon will do. :)
Samantha-
HAHA will do!
Rachele-
Yeah, me and ms didn’t split up, but we’re going through a lull. He’s being pretty understanding, though. Now if only he could buy me chocolate…
What a fabulous quote! I’m sorry your week of chaos is kickin’ your booty. You are usually so diligent about your writing goals, I’m sure the universe will forgive you for easing up a bit as you get through a tough week.
Hang in there. You’ll find something out of this experience that will end up informing your writing somehow, I know it.
– Liz
.-= • Recent post by Liz Czukas: Teaser Tuesday – March 23, 2010 =-.
500 words a day sounds good to me! Good luck :)
PS. Thank you for your comment on my blog! x.
.-= • Recent post by Nel: finds from around the interwebs =-.
Oh, I can sooooo relate. My week of chaos ends today and i can’t wait! I miss writing.
.-= • Recent post by Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist: The hair was just the beginning =-.
Mutton busting OMG too cute and LMAO on XKCD. FYI your heading resonated with me…
WTH all these acronyms, IMO it’s insane
ASDFJK the end
.-= • Recent post by Angie: Quarter-life…crisis? =-.
i saw that comment earlier and LOVED it :D
also, morning pages.. that’s a concept from the book The Artist’s Way. Are you reading it?
i just LOVE your workspace from your earlier entry :D
.-= • Recent post by floreta: Head Lice =-.
Floreta-
No, I’m not reading it. I’ve just heard the morning pages suggested and wanted to give it a try. Have you read it?