Ain't gonna happen.

[learnteach]

The novel? It's gonna fall short, if even close...it ain't gonna happen. Why? Because I did not finish the commit. What did I do instead? Move a roommate in. Make sure Thanksgiving was good. Play too much World of Warcraft (thanks, Hamish!) (blah blah blah) (like I"m not aware I'm addicted to leveling...)


But it's been a very good learning experience. I set out to write 50K words of crap, and it was freeing. I wrote 22K (so far, say, can I write I write I write 14K a day? Nope. I'll go slam some out. But I doubt I can do that, when my best rate so far is 800wph.) The novel itself is better than I expected, the ideas fun to play with, even an opening for learning (which I will write down.) Can you read my novel? No, it's not done.

And why didn't I do it? I knew how many words I had to write a day to stay ahead of the novel, but I let the moment overwhelm me. WoW is incredibly addictive to me. Incredibly.

BUT I'd rather have a life.

I've also developed an interesting (read: old and trite) observation. Bunches of people gave me ideas, advice, comments; a few even gave critiques. People who had done this before or attempted it were great. Some comments, however, just didn't work.

The old and trite observation? I put more stock in action than ideas. Ideas are important; action, moreso. Put me in Griffindor, I suppose; I'll break the rules to wander the halls.

More later.

Comments

[tugrik.livejournal.com]

Sometime you should come over to share some wine and bring a few passages of your novel-in-progress to read in trade. Ever since your phone call I've been notably curious.

Ideas are important. Dreams, too. But yes... action is what life's all about. May your actions inspire yet more dreams. :)

[patsmor.livejournal.com]

I'm farther short than you are, but I intend to finish, because it's interesting, has me thinking out a lot of things, and so far people like it. I've even figured out how to handle the secondary plot. But you inspired me. And I'm going to try to commit an hour a day, despite Christmas.

I find it freeing...

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

Secondary plots, feh. I'm hatin' em! But my main plot is sooooo simple.

Your actions have inspired me.

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

I'm going to push to finish, and not make it. Love to have you read two sections aloud...since you're in them. Sometime in December with wine and cheeze as well...mmmm.
Oh, and a walk. Gotta have a walk or a ride.

Re: Your actions have inspired me.

[patsmor.livejournal.com]

If that's to me, I'll be glad to. A great birthday present!

[noressa.livejournal.com]

Actions speak louder then words? ^_^

[kfitzwarin.livejournal.com]

I have those sorts of problems with games too. Kills me. I have to Just Say No sometimes. Well, a lot, really, if I want to get anything done. I found going out to write other places (coffee houses, bookstore cafes, etc.) was really good for keeping me from being sidetracked.

Glad you found it a good exercise.
I'm curious about something you said above though.

You wrote:
I put more stock in action than ideas. Ideas are important; action, moreso.

So, is writing an action or is it an idea?

Writing is an Action about Ideas

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

Talking about writing is not doing it. Having people tell me how to write, when I can't adequately express why I'm stuck, is extreeeeeeeeemly frustrating.
Actions don't speak louder than words; words are louder. Actions are truer, especially the small ones you don't expect are noticed. Kind people help when it's not asked for. Clean people wash things before they put them away. Etc.

Writing on LJ is more of a conversation, closer to an idea of writing. Attacking a novel...is writing.

[wingedcorset.livejournal.com]

Hey, Kellys in Santa Cruz makes Kringle. Just thought you might like to know...

WHAT!

[learnteach.livejournal.com]

I didn't know! Shall I come down and buy one and see your production and bring your box of cups from Dave's? What production are you in, anywho?