An Epiphany...and Other Thoughts from the Gym...

It was a long day at the office and I headed out around 9pm...but instead of retreating home...I hit the gym. It was so what I needed. It was a strength training day and pushing through all of my sets really helped to get me centered and work hard in the physical sense. But, let's be honest...the mental stuff works its way in too. My plate is full and I was thinking of ways to simplify things. I was thinking about writing and my CampNanoWrimo Novel and what is it that I really enjoy. The thought of doing 50K words by the end of the month was making feel even more overwhelmed than the usual amount I walk around with everyday. It was weighing me down. And then it hit me...do you know what I realized? My favorite thing about doing NanoWrimo and CampNanoWrimo is blogging about my progress. As this churned through my brainspace it got me thinking even more...maybe I am a blogger and not a writer.

So, as my gym time wound down...I started thinking about how much my life has changed since late August. How the pieces of me have changed...the things I set as priorities, the activities I enjoy, and the space I take up in the universe. Even the physical appearance of my blog doesn't really capture who I am anymore and what I want to write about. It needs to be revamped to match the revamped me. I have changed and truth be told...I don't need to write novels anymore. Instead of writing stories, I am living them. And the best way to capture those kinds of stories is in a blog.

Running Low on Energy.... Word Count = 8,065

I was hoping to hit 10K words by the end of the weekend...but I am starting to get tired and I have to focus on soccer watching. I saw Real Maryland win their first match of the season (I think) at home earlier this afternoon. And now...I am watching the US Mens National Team play Canada. I'm fading fast...but am trying to send some energylegs to the boys. This game is not going anywhere at the moment.

I will tell you one thing that is going somewhere...my novel!! It is now a whopping 8K words...which is about 21 pages. My characters have names and have some adventures ahead. I'm really enjoying writing this one. I wrote about 3K words today...which is respectable. Given all the things I got done today...it is pretty good I think.

A Sunday List of "To Do's" that are "Done"

* Laundry
* Writing Outside (see picture...all the essentials) - 1K words
* Strength Training at the Gym
* Real Maryland Soccer Game in Rockville
* Grocery Shopping
* Writing Outside - 1K Words
* Watching USMNT Play Canada
* Writing at Kitchen Table - 1K Words

And now it is time to collapse...I'm really proud of the fact that I did not do any of the work that I brought hom with me. It makes for a busier work week...but I say bring it. I am going to head to bed soon and will be ready!! I'm going to dream of all of the words that will spill out from my fingertips over the next week.

Look Who Is Writing.... Word Count = 5,009

My first write-in at Panera was very, very good to me. 5K words in my brand new novel. Happy Happy, Me Me!! Since I need to fuel up with some dinner...I am cheating a bit and getting straight to my list. Here are some things that I learned today...in no particular order...although the first bullet point is the most mind blowing...so prepare yourself accordingly. And...following the list...please find my favorite line from today.

Things I learned today...

* According to Ben's textbook on writing...fiction must contain ideas...

* My main character is afraid of elevators.

* My main character does not get along with her sister or her parents.

* My main character uses the Metro to get to work.

* My main character lives in an area that resembles Rockville Town Center. Wait...maybe it is Rockville Town Center. Her apartment number is 417.

* My main character is named Louise. I don't know her last name yet, but that is okay.


Favorite line so far....

"Her mindset was infectious, can you catch desperation?"

Let's Get it Going.... Word Count = 0

And here we go...I am at Panera...about to get my novel on. Let's do this!! I have all I need. Endless Coffee. Notebook. Pen. Laptop. Cute Writing Bag. Cute Writing Totem that matches said writing bag. Ipod. Headphones. And the most important thing...NanoWrimo Buddies!! We have occupied the orange wall...and all is write the world. I have really missed this. So...here I go...commencing novel writing...and go!!!