Thursday, November 3, 2011

First NaNoWriMo Check-in

Yesterday at Target I caved to sentimentality and bought the same kind of Glade candle that I burned the first year I won NaNoWriMo. In case you're curious, it's the Creamy Custard/Apple Cinnamon 2 in 1. I actually haven't gotten it again since that NaNo, so it's special. I remember a lot about that November: I was a month away from my wrist surgery, I got really sick and wrote anyway, and I broke all kinds of personal records for word count and such. That novel eventually became the first one I ever finished. 

Happy memories. 

It's funny how much things can change in 2 years, isn't it? 

Two years ago Evan and I were living in the shoebox apartment; this year we're 5 months into our own house that we bought and pay for like grown-ups. 

Two years ago I had no clue what I'd be doing with myself; this year I'm almost done with my first semester of nursing school, have 4 finished novels under my belt and am merrily whiling away on my 5th. 

Also, two years ago we didn't have these:




Writing used to have a high production value for me, as in it was a production for me to get started. Things had to be clean, my desk had to be just so, the right candles lit, the perfect music, etc. I still appreciate those things, but I can plunk out words whenever and wherever I need to now (though I still need music, if at all possible). Maybe I'm growing up, huh? 

There's usually a NaNo thread showing off pictures of your writing space (which I love), but I didn't find it this year, so in the spirit of then-and-now, here we go:

I'm not sure where the original of this photo is, but this is what it looked like during  the first year I won NaNo., 2009.

Last year's space. I won't lie--I loved this office, and I still kinda miss it. 

My current set-up. I have a big desk calendar hanging on the wall to my left now, but everything else is the same. See how I tried to copy my old setup? It's not the same, but I'm pretty used to it now. Oh, and there's a lamp tucked in that back left corner by my desk, too...

So tell me: what's changed with you? Or if this is your first year participating, how's it going? Actually, how's it going period? 

9 comments:

Old Kitty said...

Amazing what two years can do!! Awww the best are the kitties!! Yay! Well of course!

But I do like that these days too - words tumble out of you "wherever and whenever"! Yay for you!

Good luck nano-ing and yay for a fab office space like yours! Take care
x

Jessica Lemmon said...

I think when I first started writing seriously (if that's even possible, lol), I believed that finishing, submitting and eventually publishing would happen like magic. Like bibbity-bobbity-boo. Now, I see it's lots of concentrated effort while focused on a goal. Even with that dull definition, it continues to be something I absolutely love to do.

No Nano for me this year, I'm editing to sub to a contest, then I'm querying agents. Even tho thats good, I feel a little twinge of loss that the timing didn't work out to Nano. I'll cheer you all on from the sidelines!

DL Hammons said...

That is a really nice set-up! I'm envious. Although I've never done NaNo, my writing space hasn't changed in 5+ years. And OH do I want it to!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

So much has happened for you, Summer!
My first NaNo was last year, which was right after the release of my first book. A lot has changed since then - tons! And that NaNo creation will soon be my second book.

Toyin O. said...

So happy to see your progress:)

Teri Anne Stanley said...

Last year for NaNo I did a whole thing with making my writing space all nice and pretty and buying candles and fancy tea and stuff...this year I found a flash drive with some space and started typing.
But I think I'm farther along now than I was this time last year...hmmm. Maybe if I practice writing when everything isn't "just so" I will get more writing done, because things are never "just so!"
Wishing you quiet kittys for the next 27 days!

Sarah Ahiers said...

eh, things are going OK for me. I mean, i've hit over the wordcount each day, but it's been a struggle. I'm just waiting for the story to really click for me. Then it will get easier

Anonymous said...

This is my first year trying to do NaNo. Not going that well, though. I had a migraine the first two days, and I stayed home sick from work today because of some sinus/fever/who-knows-what thing going on. Behind on the word count by about 3,000 going by the three-day average. Not sure if I'll be able to catch up.

Unknown said...

Last year was my first Nano, I sat down and just tried to write. Rookie mistake, this year I prepared ahead of time and things are going much smoother. I'm glad I fell on my face that first year, it showed me just how much I didn't know about writing.