I would like to say this about my experience with NaNoWriMo: it got me to hustle, to be more disciplined in my craft, to not waste time with details or logistics. I wrote and kept writing, not getting tangled in any of it, and for this reason, I have made a richer tapestry of my story.
I now understand what many teachers have said: to keep writing, regardless of how stuck you get, act like the block isn’t there, and move forward. I think this has been the biggest obstacle in my work and in my life. Moving past what can bring me down, and seeing past the darkness to the light.
As corny as this may sound, it does work. The greatest support also came from two other writers. Each of us gave the others our shoulders to cry on, to carry us through the difficult parts, and to keep saying, “Hey, we can do this!”
The one novel I’m still writing from the NaNoWriMo experience is a science fiction piece, which took me out of my typical writing realm. The challenge took me to places I wouldn’t necessarily have gone. I’m thankful for that, as it pushed me to new ventures; into my other loves of math and science.
I’m not saying it is easy, but it has become easier with support and love from fellow writers. They help me to maintain momentum.
Thank you Kelly and Kat. You have given me more than you can imagine.
To other writers out there, I hope you also have strong supporters in your life to cheer you on!