Last report wordcount + chapter count/scene count: 3287 words and 1 1/2 chapters (New WIP)
Current report WC + CC/ SC: 3287 words and 1 1/2 chapters (New WIP)–no progress (I wrote like two paragraphs in the outline if that counts for something; ha, it was on the last marathon update day, too)
WIP Issues This Month: This is the second month in a row I haven’t worked on fiction writing seriously. So I really have no business making this update! I’ve been busy, but I’ve also been down in the dumps about writing due to some things going on behind the scenes. I can’t find the motivation to dive back in. I WILL by November, though, for NaNoWriMo. I hope earlier. I want to start NEVER VEIL 3 by then. (Putting the above new WIP on hold–although I did want to finish the outline for that at least. But the motivation isn’t there.)
Four things I learned this month in writing: 1. Other authors struggle, too. (It was nice hearing from those who’ve “made it” at Fierce Reads, and how they still have doubts.)
2. Going too long without fiction writing is a bad idea.
3. Editing other people’s writing at least gives me a kind of satisfaction and helps motivate me a little.
4. There’s only so much that’s under my control as a writer, and that’s the writing, so I need to get back to that.
What distracted me this month while writing: I’ve been busy with work, but I also visited NYC for my 7th time with my boyfriend to visit his family! (And Melissa Giorgio, who coincidentally lives near them!) I did a writeup of the Fierce Reads event we attended here, and posted photos here. We did a lot of bookish and Japanese culture things because my favorite hobbies are anime, reading and comics. It was our first time visiting Strand Bookstore as well!
Goal for next month: Maybe finish the outline for the new WIP, although it’s not very important. (At this stage, I’ve given up having anything to show a potential agent for a year or more!) Possibly start NEVER VEIL 3. The outline is done. I should just dive in, a little bit at a time. Maybe it’ll help me work up to the insanity that is 50,000 words in November.
Amy McNulty 
Thank you! I’m so grateful to hear from you other Marathoners and know I’m not alone! ;-; Thanks–I hope so too!
#1 and #4 – totally! I think we all struggle with self-doubt and lack of motivation at times. You are definitely not alone. *hugs*
Glad to hear you’re getting back to writing in October – I’m sure it’ll go better than expected once you dive back in 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 I hope so too. I think things are on the right track in some cases… Thanks, you too!
I know what you mean about things behind the scenes affecting your writing progress! I hope everything sorts itself out and you get back on the writing wheel. ❤
Sending all the muses your way for October!
Thank you! 🙂 I need to keep reminding myself of that. Hopefully I’ll get back into the mood this month to prepare for NaNo!
Aw, thanks! *hugs back* It’s way too easy to feel like a failure as a writer. I’ve had a number of successes, but even they’re not everything I hoped they would be, and it makes me feel like I have no business writing. But like you said, all I can do is try and stop thinking about the bigger picture. I won’t get anywhere by not even producing manuscripts!
It was fun, thanks. 🙂 I think it’ll help if I don’t set an exact word goal for October. i was thinking 25,000 (half the 50k to “warm up” for November), but oh my goodness, that’s asking a lot of me right now! XD
Working on the outline always counts!
Omg, I can totally relate to not having motivation. There are some things that are just SUCH a mood killer when it comes to writing, but it’s so true that it is the one thing we CAN control: the quality of it and whether we do it or not. I also know it helps tremendously if we can give ourselves a pass for getting a little down in the dumps sometimes. >’.'<HUGS
Looks like you had a FUN month though!! And that always helps us write, getting out and having fun. 🙂
Don't fret if October brings little. There will be MANY folks around to push you into something come November. ^_^
One of my biggest struggles this year has been accepting that the only thing I can control is the words on the page! I hope you get your motivation back soon! NaNo can be great for that – as can talking to other writers! 🙂