Last report wordcount + chapter count/scene count: 0 words (outline completed over two years ago, though)
Current report WC + CC/ SC: 23,897 words and 10 chapters in NEVER VEIL 3 (That “new WIP” I started over the summer is on hold for the foreseable future; I never could bring myself to finish the outline even.)
WIP Issues This Month: Not many! This was the first month I’ve done well in quite a while. I totally planned for November to be this big writing push since I wanted to do NaNoWriMo, but I knew the 50,000 words I was aiming for in that month wouldn’t be a first draft for NEVER VEIL 3, and I was tired of waiting to start. I finally convinced myself to start and so far it’s gone pretty quickly! I haven’t had days where I’m just staring at the page. Some days I struggle to turn off distractions and devote a block of my time to writing, though.
Four things I learned this month in writing: 1. You CAN get your writing mojo back, even after feeling like you never will.
2. Having a passion for your characters helps push you to write.
3. Going off-outline can lead to very interesting surprises.
4. Writing is fun! (I re-learned that.)
What distracted me this month while writing: Not too much. I had less client work, which isn’t a good thing for my pocketbook, even if it frees up more time for writing. I visited the David Bowie Is exhibit in Chicago mid-month, and that was fun. (See photos here.) Some GOOD things are happening “behind the scenes” this time as far as my books/writing/editing goes, but I can’t talk about them yet. Maybe by next check-in!
Goal for next month: Successfully complete NaNoWriMo! (But also, don’t feel bad if I can’t write that much. My friend pointed out at this rate, I probably will have written 50k in 30 days regardless, I just started earlier.) I hope that brings me to the end of a first draft for NEVER VEIL 3, but I can see it quite possibly not being enough words yet. (The conclusion is a long one!) Still, I’ll be a heck of a lot closer.
Many of you are already my buddies on NaNoWriMo (can’t wait to cheer you on if you’re participating this year!), but if you’re not, please add me! (Click the logo.)
Oh, also fellow WIPMarathoner Suzanne and I interviewed each other recently for the Month9Books blog! Keep an eye out for our announcement on Twitter whenever those interviews appear.
Amy McNulty 
Glad to hear you’ve got your writing mojo back! 🙂 Having a passion for my characters is one of the main things that keeps me motivated through a series. Best of luck with NaNo! ^_^
Thank you! 🙂
Wow, wow, wow! Had to re-read your word count to make sure I read clearly the first time. Great job this month, Amy!
And I hope your #1 lesson is true for me!
All the best in November!
Ha, thanks! 🙂
It definitely is! I’ve felt like I could never write again multiple times and I always go back. But we have to learn to be okay with taking time off from it, too!
Yay!! Mojo’s back!! ^_^
I’m still hoping to get some more words in next week before NaNo because my story is a long one, too.
It’s SO true that we can get back in the swing of things! Reading this has given me a lot of hope. 🙂
I’ll be rooting for you next month!
Yay! *celebrates!* Thank you–and I know you’ve gotten back into the swing before, and you will again! Good luck next month!
#4 – when bogged down in edits and rewrites and self-deprecation, it’s so easy to forget that writing should be fun!
Wishing you all the best for next month!
That’s for sure! 🙂 I’m glad the feeling comes back!
Thanks! You too!