This week we decided to forgo Thanksgiving and just write and eat healthfully. In retrospect, that was a mistake. Holidays are important for our mental health. Next year we will do Thanksgiving. I hit 60 days of healthy eating today. Weightloss slowed but it’s not hard to keep eating healthfully this way. Like writing, health is cumulative.
I edited the three chapters I will send to Eric Flint next week. This is the best work I’m capable of today and I have to keep reminding myself that I am still learning. Nonetheless, I wish it were better.
One of my frustrations is that I cannot consistently write quickly. All my self-imposed deadlines for my primary novel’s completion have whooshed past unfulfilled. But the novel is moving forward and the writing is getting better. In the end, I can control whether or not I show up at the computer to put in some work. The work may happen or it may not. The writing may be good or it may suck hard enough to slurp up the entire Mississippi River. Speed and quality are not in my control. Showing up is. So I show up.
Time for Gratitude!
Every week I experience things that make me better and that I’m grateful for. Some are books, podcasts, websites, or videos. Some are simple experiences. I share them here.
Thanksgiving week is definitely the week for gratitude. The Art of Manliness had a great podcast where he interviews the person who established the psychology field focused on gratitude. I found it to be a fun and uplifting listen.
Cristan Mihai in The Art of Blogging has an inspiring post of a different kind in Five Habits of Extremely Prolific Bloggers in which he says:
You can either have results or excuses. Never both.
The most important thing you can do as a blogger is to punch the damn keys. You need to write a lot — every day, if you can — in order to produce great content and become better.
Of course many writers say the same, including Dean Wesley Smith, but I like how Mihai phrased it and it found me at the right moment. I’ve started to explore his blog and it’s filled with similar sorts of inspiration.
I ran into Suzanne and asked her some quick questions about ancient Alexandria. She was kind enough to loan me two books and offer to go to lunch with me and answer questions. I’m very excited about the chance to talk to a legitimate Egyptologist who has actually spent time considering where to hide bodies in ancient Egypt. Life is good!
I continue to make progress, though it is now clear that I will not “win” NaNoWriMo. It’s ok. I feel enough like a winner just meeting the interesting people who are working on their novels.
If you’re in the Midsouth and want to join me in a few writing sprints this November, I’ll be at the Panera Bread in Germantown Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 10am to 1pm and I’d welcome the company!
Primary Novel Goal: 12,500 words per week
Additional Writing in Secondary Novel, Short Story, Farland or DWS Class Assignment, or Sea History Adventures blog: 1000 words per week
Primary Novel Editing: Half of the Book by January 1, 2019 and complete by January 16.
First three chapters of the Primary Novel sent to Eric Flint for review on December 6, 2018.
Healthful Unprocessed Diet through December 31, 2018.
Here is where I stand as of today:
Whomsoever Saves One Life (Primary Novel): 43,938 words
Ten Reasons the Pirates Always Win (Secondary Novel): 15,125 words
Completed Sea History Adventures Blog Entries: 2
Short Stories Completed: 2
Writing Assignments (This Week): 460 words
Healthy Eating Streak (started on Sept. 27, 2018): 60 days