Disappointment

Not in Christmas with my family — no. That’s been awesome. In myself.

I didn’t write a lot during December. I was alternately sick and too busy with other things. I didn’t even journal. Knew that I needed to — writing just a small blog post brought me a ton of relief. But was reluctant to face myself.

Once I was on the plane to Mpls, though, I pulled out my notebook and started. I realized quickly that I was depressed. My big goal for the year was to finish this novel. And though I was close, I wasn’t close enough.

So I decided to do something about it. I’m doing a miniwrimo, from now until the end of the year. My goal is to write 2500 words a day, for ten days, and finish this sucker. At least the handwritten part. I’ll still have to type it up. I will consider it close enough to done, though. It means writing a lot every day I’m here — getting up at 6 AM and spending 2-3 hours writing every day. My new goal is to finish the handwritten draft by the time I leave Mpls.

I started writing, right there on the plane, on the 24th, and just finished up chapter 13 this morning (approximately 5500 words over three days.) I only managed about 1000 words this morning, however, I did plot out chapter 14, which I needed to do before I could write it anyway. Tomorrow morning I’ll get another good run of words in.

Though I was unhappy, I’m very pleased, as well as lucky, that I have the emotional latitude and time to fix this for myself.

I hope that each and every one of you is having a wonderful, stress-free time.