writing challenge

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Update: Words and Runs

Even though JustRun was supposed to be a 25-minute session, I did some more walking after it was done. I just don’t feel right doing less than 30 minutes. I also did a 40-minute Wirk session at my desk at work as I went through some books. Pretty soon, I’ll have a clearer desk.

One of the big decisions I made was to stop my weight loss medication. If you follow me on BlueSky, I’d mentioned this and as I’ve only been off it for a two days, I haven’t noticed a difference in my hunger. It takes at least 3 days for it to completely leave your system (typically). Tonight, that salad – that was sadly disappointing which is a shame because I was really looking forward to it – was too much and I handed the rest off to my kid (who also was disappointed). I am hopeful that I can be just as active and keep in control of my eating without the drugs.

Now, on to the writing stuff.

While I am technically behind, I finally finished the part of the book where I had to dig back three books to find the exact scene and get the details right. The next step is new things I’ve mentioned in previous books, but never really dug into the details. And since I was out from work for a bit, I spent a good chunk of the day catching up on whatever was waiting for me. I don’t want to think about how much more is left for me (how all these books built up without anyone asking me if they should be pulled in the first place is a mystery) but I’ll still manage to get my words in somehow. Even if I had to park it on the desk bike instead of running. Technically, my goal is to finish this book, not to hit 50k words in a month. I’m already hip deep in this book and it’s probably 30-40k words already.

Don’t be impressed. I started this story in 2018.

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Writing Update: Why do I do this to myself?

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I have to admire anyone who fills the anti-AI NaNoWriMo slot. So, here I am torturing myself for some reason. Who am I kidding? I know the reason. I don’t even remember exactly when I started writing book four in my First Brood series, and I am annoyed with myself that it’s taken this long. My goal is to finish it this month, 50k words or not. If I finish it and it’s not 50k words, I’ll move on to the next WIP: Dewey. Another story I started too long ago thinking I’d just bang it out real quick but having to switch to my other penname to make some quick pennies. Yet here it is, years later unfinished…

Ugh, that image is small… I’m a day behind. But, I managed to get through a part where I’d originally written this scene many years ago in book one of this series. It’s relevant to revisit it since this book is all about Emma and her perspective on everything that happened so far. I wanted to make sure the lore I’d established was held to while making a few little tweaks since it’s from a different writing perspective. It’s also really emotional for me. So much has changed since I wrote that… I designed that scene before I became a parent and it hits hard now that I am one.

I don’t even have to look at the Freewrite draft to know that a LOT of editing will have to take place to have this be smooth and provide a different experience for those who already read the first book.

All three of you.

I kid but seriously, I didn’t want this to be a word for word recreation of what I’ve already done. But, I only have a bit to go with this section before I can write things that I don’t have to dive this deep in to what I’ve previously written. This book is supposed to be an exploration of Emma’s character and why she’d made some interesting decisions in the previous books, not a recap. I’m flying through this but I know I’ll have to go back and make sure my goal is met. It’ll take a lot of editing… But, I’ll find a way to keep things updated and fresh here and on my Patreon with snippets of the WIP. I can already tell the published work will be a completely different animal than the Patreon posts…

And don’t count on daily writing updates.

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Today’s Workout and Camp NaNoWriMo Update

I didn’t get to all my workout apps today but I was strapped for time and recovering from a weekend dealing with a horrid upset stomach. I’m fine now; food is staying down and I don’t feel dizzy and sick anymore.
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Of course I didn’t get my word count up there and there’s no way I’m going to hit 50k words. And that’s mostly because I only have two story beats left to go: the climactic battle and conclusion. That’s just not going to be 30k words. Even if I stuffed it with fluff and that’s just a waste since I’ll have to cut it out later. I have enough to fix with all the typos and parts where I literally forgot a character’s name. I’ll have to take the general victory of finishing a book in a month without considering the word count.

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Camp NaNoWriMo Day 18 and Workouts

As you can see, I am still behind and I’m ok with that. See, over the weekend, I went to have dinner with friends and people kept asking me if I was ok. Earlier last week, I had a coworker ask me if they’d done something to make me mad since I was so quiet. When I looked at myself closely in the mirror, I looked dead on my feet; just tired and sullen.

I need to take better care of myself. I’ve been up very late and not getting enough sleep. I haven’t even been cooking much because cooking takes writing time.

I did manage to make a few things but mostly, I’ve been living on snacks and leftovers. I look angry all the time and yeeeaaahhh, that’s not good.

So, this week I’m writing at a leisurely pace and stopping at a decent hour to get some sleep. I don’t even think I’ll hit 50k words just because the story doesn’t need it. I’m gonna chill the hell out and enjoy this process.

I took a walk to get some broccoli to make a real dinner and did my desk peddler. Once I got home, I used all my workout apps; including the sleepytime stretching to wind down and sleep soundly. Today I feel more normal but breaking the grindset mode is gonna take a while.

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Camp NaNoWriMo Day 14 (a late update)

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At a certain point every night, I try to put my phone down and leave it alone so I can track my sleep and not be tempted to play around or doom scroll. This was my word count from yesterday.

I need to somehow get to 25,000 words today to get caught up and be on track for the possible 50k words. I say ‘possible’ because I’m not going to force it if I finish the story and I’m under. That’s not the point of this whole thing.

I’m a little stressed (meaning a LOT stressed) about how far I am from the right track but I’m not giving up. I was able to do this in November, I should be able to do it again.

I’ll try to update again today. It depends on how tired I am.

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Today’s Workouts and Camp NaNoWriMo Day 12

I did my desk peddler at work and some body weight workouts after I got in my word count for the day. I’m noticing I can do way more arm reps now. With no hand weights, I can do 50-100 lifts and I can feel my muscles working. I have noticed a bit of toning up but nothing major. I’m not lifting heavy weights after all.

As for my word count, I am still behind but not so much that I feel I won’t be able to catch up. I just need one good say where I can log over 3k words and I’ll be in the clear.

The worst part of this is not being able to do anything else. I keep getting shows recommended to me and cool books I wanna read but I have to use all my spare time writing. Not that I don’t enjoy writing. I love it, that’s why I keep doing it even if I don’t make a living from it. But every once in awhile, I wanna sit and watch some anime or type up reviews for cool books I’ve been reading. Those will come if I can catch up with my word count.

However, I am having a blast working on this world. I wrote Gods in the Grey City a decade or so ago and I’ve always wanted to expand it. The characters are fun to write, the setting is interesting, and coming up with new villains has been awesome. If you liked the first one, I think you’ll enjoy the next entry.

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Camp NaNoWriMo Day 5

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I am behind in my word count but today flowed so well towards the end. I’m gonna be tired in the morning but so worth it.

Tomorrow, I’ll try to get 2k words in over the course of the day instead of trying to squeeze it all in before I go to sleep. Work was busy so, I did have to wait till I get home.

Honestly, I should be doing 2k a day normally so I can get stories published faster. There’s a book I got about finishing a book in a week. I don’t have time to sit and read it now but I’ll share my thoughts in it when I get the chance.

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Camp NaNoWriMo Day 2

While not as many words as I’d hoped, I think this was good progress! Especially since I managed to wash, dry, fold, and put away all the clothes and make the bed. Sunday will be totally free to write, other than making dinner. I will need to remember to get up and move around more instead of being hunched over the Freewrite for hours at a time. I stayed up too late to do my body weight workouts so I’ll have to make up for that tomorrow.

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Camp NaNoWriMo Day 1

Not exactly a great start but I was not focused at all, to be honest. I’d pick at the keyboard for a couple of words then my brain would wander off. Maybe tomorrow will be better since I’ll be home. I’ll have to do some chores but other than that, I’ll have the day free.

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NaNoWriMo Day 22

I am behind. And, I don’t really feel bad about it because over the weekend, I was doing chores and writing until almost 3 am. Last night, I decided getting some halfway decent sleep was more important.

Only to be woken at 3 am because my nose decided breathing wasn’t important anymore but, whatever. I need to whip out the humidifier…

As as I’ve stated before, I think this story is going to be under 50k words overall. I have the one big fight scene and the conflict resolution and I’m done. As, I’ve said, I may end up adding more words in the editing process (since I have been reading back over what I’ve written and a TON of descriptions need to be filled in and/or fleshed out) and I’m looking forward to that process! I want what I’m picturing in my head to be clear to others when they read it.

I think what I look forward to most about all this is when it’s done, I can start working out again. I sneak in words all day, I go home for a really fast dinner, fast shower, then I’m back at it for a few hours.  This has consumed my brain and time. It’ll be nice to take 30 minutes for a quick run to clear the stress of the day, then go write some more. Or maybe do some reading; since I’m behind on my reading goal for the year. I also need to keep doing needlework so I can use up all the yarn I bought. I guess December will be as busy as November even without this challenge.

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