State of the Blog: Week Five: Writing More Fiction

I made a couple recent changes to the blog. And the shorter, simpler posts during the week is working out well.

I plan to keep building on that. And to continue to increase my fiction writing output. That is my ultimate goal...the point of this blog, and I have to keep reminding myself of that.

I have been increasingly working on my fiction. I wrote a good chunk yesterday by means of an interesting new web page I found: 750words.com.

It's pretty self explanatory. You have to write 750 words, approximately three pages, everyday. The site tracks your progress.

Unfortunately, it isn't a free site. I have a 30 day free membership. After that, membership is $5 per month.

Why the fuck would I pay to do something I can do for free? So, I will use it as the useful tool it is for now.

I am working up to the National Novel Writing Month (a.k.a. NaNoWriMo) in November. For those know in the know, it is nationwide initiative to inspire fledgling writers churn out a 50,000 word novel in one month. I have dabbled with it in the past, but never fully committed. This year, will.

There are 30 days in November, so to write 50,000 words during that month, I will needs to write 1,667 words per day. That is completely manageable.

I'm reminded of Stephen King's advice to beginners from On Writing to write 1000 words...everyday. His daily goal is 2000. Fantastic book. I used to read and listen to it constantly.

Working up to my goal will, of course, mean more short blog posts. Most likely brief updates on my writing progress and other tidbits here and there.

I plan to have a rough draft of a novel by the first of December. Scratch that. I WILL have a novel rough draft by December.

Whether the novel sucks or not is irrelevant at this point. To get better at writing, you have to write. And read a lot. (More Stephen Kind advice...and advice countless other authors espouse.)

I have the reading part down, and I am getting back to the daily writing commitment.

* * * * * * * * * 

Picking up my boys from their mother today. Didn't get the house as cleaned as I would have liked, but as I wrote yesterday, I was in desperate need need of some do nothing time. I'm still working to not feel guilty about it. 

I miss my boys. But I also worry about them, as usual. I just want to do what is best for them. I have to have more faith and confidence that I am doing just that. Something to practice and work on.