So, my to-do list tells me that I’m supposed to blog today. However, my brain says that I’ve been telling people I want to finish the “first” draft of my novel by August. Y’all, that is only 13 days away. And I still have about 30k words to write. If you do the math (or let a calculator do it for you) that is roughly 2307.69 words a day — i.e., insanity.
But it’s my own dang fault. That finish line has been in the same spot for in months. Problem is, I haven’t been running toward it very quickly. In fact, I’ve sorta been walking. Stopping and smelling the roses, even. Maybe sprinting once or twice for the heck of it, but overall not really worrying, because hey, it’s no biggie, August is far, far away.
And now suddenly it’s not. Doh.
So for the next two weeks, I am making no excuses. I will not be good at commenting on blogs. I will not be good at responding to email. I will not be good at probably anything — except panicking, and making people at Panera/Starbucks/the library wonder how someone so young and able-looking could have degenerated into such a stinky, slouchy blob.
Fortunately, you don’t have to actually witness that. You can pretend I am calmly, peacefully dreaming my novel into existence. Like this:
(I wish.) Gorgeous painting by Stephanie Mooney for our friend and We Heart YA crit partner Ingrid.
In the meantime, if you want to read how I felt (more or less) about the last Harry Potter movie, click here. If you want to read how I felt (more or less) about the US vs. Japan Women’s World Cup Final, click here. And if you don’t want to do any of that, then just wish me luck please. I’m going to need it.
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Elizabeth
Good luck! That is a completely do-able number of words per day. You can do it!
T. S. Bazelli
Sometimes it takes a deadline to get into high gear. You can do it, Kristan!
kaye (paper reader)
I’ll be cheering you on! As large and imposing as it may seem I know you can do it and how much it will mean when you do! :)
And, boy, that painting is lovely. Quiet and lovely.
Rachele Alpine
Good luck! I’m cheering for you! :)
Courtney
You can do it =) I am extremely deadline oriented, so I know how you feel. I wrote 15k in three days when I was finishing. I was a crazy mess, but a happy crazy mess.
Best of luck to you!
Sonje
2307.69 words per day everyday for 13 days is quite a lot–even for me! Best of luck! I’m rooting for you. We all are.
I can’t wait to hear how it all turned out when you resurface in August. Of course I’m here for you in the meantime if you want/need any support. :)
Sarah Wedgbrow
LUCK!!!! Kristan, you can do it. Unplug. xx
linda
Good luck, Kristan! Can’t wait to celebrate with you when you finish! :D
Aisha
I’m glad you’re setting a deadline for yourself and sticking to it, go for it!
Elissa J. Hoole
oh, how I wish my novels came into this world with the peaceful dreaminess of that beautiful painting!
(and omg, that pace would kill me, plugged or unplugged. good luck, and swift writing vibes to you!)
Anthony Lee Collins
Good luck. Just be glad July has 31 days.
And my advice is: don’t stop to do any research. Sonje’s blog post explains why.
Erin
I’m with you, I think.
*is terrified*
Stephanie Mooney
I believe you can do it, Kristan!
And yay! My painting! This is like show and tell. I had a hard time letting go of that painting. LOL. That’s how you know it’s a good gift. :)
Les
Good luck ;) And I like rambly comments!
Leigh Ann Kopans
Good luck, lady! I have no doubt you are SO all over this!
P.S. Salivating over that painting. Just gorgeous. I’m sure that’s just how you look dreaming your 30K into reality.:)
Sherrie Petersen
Good luck! I’m heading to the writing cave myself. Only I have until September :)
Julia
Go Kristan! Write, write, write. And don’t forget, sugar is your friend.
Shari
Good luck!! Let the story be your inspiration :)
Anthony Lee Collins
Julia:
“Sugar is granulated happiness”
— David Lynch, who used to drink a milkshake every afternoon to spur creativity.
Juliann Wetz
Good luck. It’s a lot of words to write each day, but remember, not every one of them has to be a gem. That’s what revision is for.
And I LOVE Stephanie’s painting. Beautiful!
Meghan Ward
If it makes you feel better, I need to get the revision of my book done by Friday – in three days – and I also have to pack for vacation, take care of kids, etc. etc. But we can do it!! GOOD LUCK! And yes, that’s a beautiful painting.
Pseudo
You don’t need luck – you have talent and perseverance! But I wish you luck nonetheless. Stick to it and do the overtime and you will be happy in the end Miss.
Kristan
Thanks, errbody! So far it’s going eh, but I’m still optimistic. :)
Joelle Wilson
You’ll do it. Ability – check. Skill – check. Tenacity – check. Support of family and friends – check, check. See, you have what you need. :)
Nicholas Tozier
2,307 words per day is manageable. Now go focus!
Laura
Good luck! It’s reassuring (especially for beginners like me) to know that other writers have to deal with the same things: deadlines, procrastination, writer’s block.. Thanks for sharing, and know that we are all cheering for you!
Brian Buckley
“It’s hard but not impossible to write, say, 5,000 words a day. A novel is roughly 80k. At 5k/day, you can finish a novel in about 16 days.” – Chuck Wendig
2307.69 words a day should be a piece of cake, right? ;-)
Seriously, best of luck. You can do it if you believe you can.
Kristan
Thanks, y’all!
Brian-
I dunno about “piece of cake”… Unless you mean one of those GIANT slices of cheesecake that are so rich you can barely eat half. :P
Jon
Good luck! This novel is going to be awesome!