The beginning of a blog and the beginning of NaNoWriMo

So, I figured it's about time that I start a blog in relation to my writing. One day I'll be published and I have to direct people somewhere. And of course, it's always cool to read about the thought process behind a novel you've just read.

My summer goal was to start at least one of my novel ideas. There's at least four. I figured if I started at least one, I could take about a year to write it, and another year to edit it and try and get it published. I have two years of grad school left before I'm kicked out into the real world and have to figure out how to pay rent and student loans. It's not like all writers make millions of dollars. Hell, most don't. Especially not on the first book. But any money is better than no money, and getting one thing published is motivation to get more things published.

But I've spent most of the summer reading and procrastinating. I'm great at procrastinating. The last semester, I did an entire semester's worth of readings, quizzes, and online discussion boards in the last two weeks of school because I had procrastinated all semester. It was the roughest two weeks ever, but somehow I pulled it off. You'd think I'd learned my lesson. But I guess I hadn't put enough importance on writing this summer.

During some summer cleaning (my other goal) I found two box writing kits that my mom bought me a couple years ago in an attempt to help me with my writer's block. I figured it was about time to open them. One turned out to be from the founder of NaNoWriMo, called No Plot, No Problem. Basically, it was an overview of how NaNoWriMo worked, with daily motivations and motivations to get through the month. The instructional booklet that came with it really hit a chord with me and I decided I had to do it. The founder of NaNoWriMo says to do the 50,000 words in one month in any month that you have the least distractions and responsibilities. It doesn't have to be in November when the actual competition takes place. July is the only month when me and my son don't have school.

Daily word goal: 1,613 words a day.

The problem? I stupidly thought today was the first week of July when it turns out to be the second. So I'm already a day behind. I procrastinated unintentionally.

I just got done finishing 1,704 words. So hopefully tonight I can get in another 1,600 to catch up.

.....or, I just realized another plan. This is a 31-day month. The kit is set up for a 30-day or 31-day month. If I pretend it's 30-days, I can follow the goal of 1,667 words a day and not be behind at all. I guess I'll see what I can get done later tonight.


I hope this doesn't kill me.