Letters from Camp NaNoWriMo, Day 4 — Accountability Helps
Goal: 6666 words
Actual: 9101 words
Dear Dad,
I almost slept in this morning. One of advantage of being a full-time writer (aside from a commute measured in yards) is the ability to make one’s own schedule. I can’t fully because I don’t live alone. Only certain hours of the day available to me for writing or publishing-related tasks, so sleeping in isn’t something I often do.
On Monday and Thursdays, the alarm goes off at 5:30 AM same as when I worked in the corporate world to I can meet a fellow writer at my local Starbucks. We work from 7 until around 11 in the morning. Why those days and hours? Because of a twice-weekly year-round write-in with the NaNoLA group, which is a kick in the pants to keep going. Sometimes I do this from home, rolling out of bed at a more reasonable hour. That means I don’t leave my house for days on end, and I begin to go a little stir crazy. Rising early is worth the change of scene.
My writing buddy is out of town for the next couple of weeks, though. The alarm went off and I didn’t want to move. Even when I did, I was sluggish. Until I got a text from my friend wishing me good writing, along with a picture of her morning view. We often paint writing as a solitary profession, but other people — other writers — knowing you’re supposed to be producing is an excellent motivator. I got myself moving, got to Starbucks only a half hour later than normal, writing 2,625 words this morning.
When I started this diary, I said remember a time when a thousand words was a fantastic day. Now I have more two thousand plus days than not. Part of it is practice, because if you write regularly, your speed will go up. Another part is having folks to whom I can say, “This is my goal for today.” I then report back whether I achieved the goal. The accountability which provides the spur. Doesn’t mean I don’t have days when I want to pack it all in because the words don’t come or I feel as if everything I write is crap. Those same folk have been there themselves. They’ll offer support, as I will do for any of them when needed.
Writing the words are still between myself and my keyboard. Parts of this profession must be done alone. But I don’t need to write in isolation, something I have done far too often. Being a part of the larger community and using that interaction to help my productivity is a lesson which has become more important in time.
My writing is done for today, household tasks beckon. Until tomorrow,
Caro
