I did it. I signed up for ACFW’s Novel Track today. Novel Track is similar to NaNoWriMo except that I get to choose my own goal and (the biggie here) it’s not in November. The big month of cooler weather, open season, and Thanksgiving does not belong to me. Maybe I could do a book in a month if I had more than two weeks of that month to call my own.
I announced Monday that I was ready to start writing again–and I did. A whopping 425 words. Can you get any more pathetic than that? I managed to finish a scene which has been bouncing around in my head for a couple of months, but that’s all I did. At 425 words per day, I’ll finish this novel in about 200 days. Not too bad, I guess–after all, that’s less than a year–but I’d like to do better.
So, on with Novel Track!
Now, to calculate my goal. I feel comfortable shooting for 1500 words per day, which, if I write that amount daily, would bring me to 46,500 by the end of the month to add to the 10,400 I have now. My goal for the novel is 80,000, so, if I make my August goal, by September, I’ll need only 23,100 words to finish the book.
That’s the general idea, but here’s my reality: In my to-do pile, aside from general life interferances, are one novel I’m editing for the agent I work for and one paid proofread, so I have to dedicate some time to these two projects. I’m also editing The Cat Lady’s Secret again per my agent’s suggestion. I’m spending the bulk of next week with Mom, so that knocks out four days. I don’t work on Sundays if I can help it, so there’s another four days gone, and I usually don’t get to work every Saturday since MSB is off–but he may not be in August, so I’m going to count them as work days this month. But I do have a signing on the 18th, so there’s a day gone–a total of nine.
So instead of thirty-one full days, I have twenty-two, which brings me down to 33,000 for the month–leaving me with 36,600 to make up for next month.
Hmmmm.
Okay, if I strive for 2000 words per day, that’ll bring me up to 44,000 in 22 days, and 25,600 for September. Sounds better, but can I do it?
Today’s August 1st. We’ll see.
Several years into it, and this blog still refuses to be categorized. It's eclectic and includes everything from writing posts to snippets from my ordinary life. 
Linda W. Yezak 
I just know you can do it! I should probably do something like this soon. I’m scattered all over the place between blogging and promoting and trying to decide — you know — the next mysterious step. Write on, Linda!
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You’re swamped with your new release, aren’t you? I wish I had a new release to be swamped by!
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A good steady plan is one of the best keys to success, so long as you give a little wiggle room, too. There’s guaranteed to be days where you just can’t seem to reach that goal, and the tricky part is to not let it dissuade you or get you too far behind. Best of luck! You can do it!
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I think I’ve got some wiggle room–like squirming into a tight girdle, but some room. 😀
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Hi,
Your schedules sounds similar to mine. I know you know it, but take one day at a time. There are a lot of things that I would like to do and believe me, I plan, but I am learning to leave some time for the unexpected.
Happy writing, and 425 words were great for a start after all of what you have gone through. You started, and that is what counts.
Ciao,
Patricia
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You’re always so encouraging, Pat. Thank you!
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Sounds interesting! I like the idea that Novel Track offers more flexibility than NanNo. So now I’ll expect to see you writing like the wind! 😉
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Writing like the wind? Maybe a gentle breeze . . .
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Praying you make the most of the time you have, and get written EXACTLY how much your Lord wants 😉
And I used to have a 250 words a day goal. And I didn’t always make it. Can I join the pathetic party? LOLO\
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This afternoon, I’m wishing I’d set my goal lower. I may still make it, but wow–I gotta take a break!
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Go for it, Linda. Here’s to urging you forward. My writing gets pushed so far down on the priority list I sometimes wonder why I even bother, but I can’t let go. Someone once suggested if I could write one page a day, I could do a novel in a year, approximately. Someday’s I can’t, others I can do more. At least it gives me hope. May you proceed with less issues!
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