What?? Take a break??

This is always running through my head. ALWAYS. Between running errands, keeping house, taking care of six peoples, animals, events, finances, entertainments, pencils, paper, ink, and yeah, you know the story. It goes on and on and on...

I, like you I'm sure, push myself to my limits and beyond. There comes a time when all my pushing backfires.

Take yesterday, for example. I knew a crash was eminent when, while reading Harry Potter to my youngest, I had a "blackout." Here I am, reading out loud, and two pages later I don't remember a single word I'd read. Not one word! I glance at youngest and he's still listening aptly, so I take it that I didn't digress into some kind of other-world. But still--reading freakin' aloud and not knowing what I'm reading? For shame!

After tucking everyone in bed last night I sat down at my trusty computer to knock out a couple thousand words on my NaNo story. I *must* do this, I tell myself. It doesn't matter that my eyes are bleary and my mind is wandering. I must!

I sit in front of the screen. I check a few social media outlets. Update a few. I stare at my story again. I know what I want to write, but my fingers won't seem to work and my mind skitters off topic like when your tires hit a huge rain puddle and your car skids off to the side. Yeah, I mean it to sound that drastic because that's how I felt.

So I decide a short nap is in order. Yes, it's somewhere between 10 and 11 pm. I think. A fifteen minute nap will work wonders. THEN I'll be able to write. 

Well, I'm sure you know what happened next. I crashed. Hard. My mind and my body worked together to lamblast me into sweet oblivion until I blinked my eyes away to the dawn of this morning. 

At first, curses filled my head. I didn't get my 2K in last night. What to do? I couldn't start writing right away, nor could I write--nor do I write--during my hectic, busy day. It's taken me most of the day to come to terms with this and tell myself that, you know, it's truly okay. My body obviously knew what was best for me better than I did. I may say sleep is overrated, but there's no denying it's pretty damned important. 

So I've had another hectic day, but I feel better. I've realigned my thoughts and know exactly where I plan to begin tonight with my words. Am I doubling up? Probably not. I'll squeeze in extra words along the way, I'm sure. It's still early on in the month. 

So if you're behind or haven't started or just know there's no time!! Don't stress. It won't always be like that. Some days will be better and some not so great. Roll with the punches, as that famous saying goes. Roll with it. Then sleep. SLEEP, darn you! And try, try again! 

^.^
Ayla

Day 1 of NaNo in the bag!

This month, among everything else, I'm eagerly participating in the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short). 

You'll notice to the right, in the sidebar, I'll keep you updated with my progress. I'm thrilled with today's word count. The goal of NaNo is to finish 50,000 words between today and November 30. My goal is to go over that 50K. I'm shooting for 75 to 100K. Yes, full length novel here. 

It's totally different for me, the full novel, but it's something I've wanted to do for a long time now. My longest story to date is just under 40K. Short stories have been my thing for the past four years, and although I'm not giving up on the short story, my heart longs for a meatier book. 

Another way this one is different is that it won't be erotic. It'll be romance. Yes, there will be sex, but it'll fall into the suspense/thriller category of romance. 

So it is with great excitement I share this news with you, before heading off to bed. I've put in a full day, I met my word count (I wanted to get 2K today), wrote the rough draft of the prologue, and now it's time to brainstorm tomorrow's opening chapter. 

Until next time,
Ayla