NaNoWriMo Update: Crossed the Finish Line

I've earned my third NaNoWriMo winner's badge!

This morning, on the final day of the 50,000-word writing challenge, I crossed the finish line with 50,177 words. Over the course of 30 days, and I cranked out a daily average of 1,730 words. 

As I expected, my output increased along the way. After 10 days, it was 1,358. My 20-day average was 1,587. And during the past 10 days, it was at a 1,844 clip.

Winner's Badge

I made it a point to write every single day. A few days my output was only 900 or so words, but they still count. I made up for that by writing more than 2,000 on other days. The important thing was to write each and every day. For me, if I don't write for a day or two, it makes it easier not to write the next day. And that piles up to no progress and probably giving up.

This is part of the first draft of my next novel in the John Ross Boomer Lit series. I'll continue writing every day until I'm satisfied with the story. After that, I'll go through the rewrite and editing process. It will probably end up in the 80k range.

I've had two previous NaNoWriMo efforts result in novels: The Bully List in 2012 and Old Ways and New Days in 2014.

The fourth novel in the boomer lit series will be published on Feb. 1, 2021. I hope this effort will be released in late 2021. We'll see.

I hope other NaNoWriMoers crossed the finish line with me!

Until the next time . . .

Penultimate NaNoWriMo Progress Report

We're two-thirds of the way through the annual National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, endurance race. Only 10 more writing days remain before the figurative finish line.

After 20 days, I'm sitting at 31,737 words, an average of 1,587 words a day. I should be averaging 1,667 so I'm a bit off the pace. I need to average 1,826 words from here on in to reach 50k.

I'm determined to reach the goal so that's not really a concern of mine. When I set my mind to do something, I generally do it. There could be some unforeseen things happen between now and Nov. 30, but I going on the assumption that I won't be struck by lightning, get struck by a train, or become debilitated by some illness or activity.

To be honest, there's not a whole lot going on in my life to distract me from writing. For the past week or so, I've written in the morning and the afternoon in an effort to increase my word count, and it's worked. 

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is affecting most of us in various degrees, I haven't been out and about other than quick trips to the supermarket.  I won't be spending time with relatives and friends on Thanksgiving Day. I don't do Black Friday (will anybody this year?). 

So I'll be sitting here in front of my computer, focused on reaching (and surpassing)  50k words. And then I'll have the first draft to the fifth book in my John Ross Boomer Lit series. (Psst! The fourth book will be released on Feb. 1, 2021, by Wings ePress).

Good luck to others participating in NaNoWriMo. We can do it!

Until the next time . . .

NaNoWriMo Progress Report

We're 10 days into National Novel Writing Month and it hasn't been as smooth as I would have liked at this point.

I'm averaging 1,358 words a day; it should be 1,667 if I'm going to reach 50k by Nov. 30. I'm not concerned because I generally write in big bursts, sometimes 3,000-4,000 words a day. 

As mentioned in a previous post, I'm using a rough outline to keep me somewhat focused on the ultimate goal. I've veered off it a few times as the characters took over in places. That always happens as I delve deeper into a story.

This work-in-progress will be the fifth novel in my John Ross Boomer Lit series. The fourth book will be published on Feb. 1, 2021. The first three were Old Ways and New Days, Darkness Beyond the Light, and New Horizons (you can find them on Amazon, B&N, and other websites).  If all goes well, I hope the latest will be released in late 2021 by Wings ePress.

My biggest distraction thus far has been the election on Nov. 3. I found myself watching TV and reading news reports about the outcome of the presidential race in several states. I was relieved it finally ended five days later but it still lingers day-to-day with court threats and probably recounts. I hope it ends soon so we can get back to some degree of normalcy.

And then there is the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and deaths—in the U.S. and worldwide—and it almost becomes an overload when trying to write. At least there was some positive news this week about a possible vaccine.

At my age, I get more mentally exhausted at times. Writing is often an escape from reality, much like reading can be when getting lost in a good book. The key is finding a good balance in life. I try to do that by what I watch and read as well as daily exercise and other activities.

The happenings of the past few months, taking a lot of things into account, would make for an interesting novel. No doubt you've heard the expression, "life is stranger than fiction." Don't be surprised if some of the novels published in the coming months and years reflect these crazy times. I'm not sure if I would want them on my reading list because peace of mind isn't always 2020.

Until the next time . . .