National Novel Writing No

[gurdonark]

I reserve the right, in life, to reverse field from time to time. I invoke that right tonight, right here in this very journal. I loved doing the nanowrimo "write a novel in 30 days" deal last year. I have a novel to show for it. But tonight, I realized that in two days, I would begin devoting time to a second novel, when my time is better spent on family, friends, chess, tropical fish, bad poetry, and even cacti. That doesn't even get us to the illustrated prayer book exhibit at the Kimball Art Museum, or the
letters I want to write to the rest of the people on my list, or the numerous work projects that await me. I have a mail poetry documentation to prepare, and kindnesses to share.

I know it's fashionable, when changing one's mind, to offer excuses like "I can't" or criticisms of nanowrimo. I offer neither. Nanowrimo is a great project--love it. I am fully capable of writing another novel.

I choose not to write a novel, because I choose to do something different. I choose to walk at the bird sanctuary, and to stare at the full moon. I choose to see the planet Mars, and find it red. I choose to write dozens upon dozens of poems, and not care if they are good or bad. I choose to call my parents and siblings, and not run the word counter functions on my computer so often.

I choose to post in this journal, although I've frankly felt less than fully pleased with my recent writings. I think this is a normal and healthy part of a public diary, though. I want to be loved, I find, and that need intrigues me and on some level delights me.

I choose to pray, and to daydream, and to feel not a twinge of guilt when I fail to go for two in a row.

I choose to cheerlead enthusiastically for those who are writing novels among my friends. I choose to drop the nanowrimo community, not because I do not laud the efforts, but because life is too short for polls. I will perhaps retain the nanowrimo mailing list, but that's because I like the kids.

I find myself realizing that I am many things, but that poetry is what I write, for good or ill.
Oh, and a LiveJournal. I write that, too.


Well, nearly the weekend, much yet to do:
1. get a room reserved and arrange for advertising for my chess tournament
Status: visiting Plano Centre tomorrow at 8 a.m., ready to reserve room
2. load the software for my digicam on my computer
Status: not begun
3. clean up my art room
Status: barely begun, a few desultory efforts
4. post my CD for sale on eBay
Status: Done.
5. relist my chess poem book on eBay.
Status: Done
6. write 2 amazon.com reviews of books i've read
Status: Done
7. read the third book, a good one long half-finished I wish to review and review it
Status: not begun
8. submit poems seeking potential publication to 3 magazines or ezines
Statustrying to find "Poet's Market"
9. contact the woman about the fund-raising thing
Status: not done
10. send off an ad to Aquarium Fish Magazine promoting the Feeder Guppy Rescue League, to make satire into true reality.
Status: Done.
11. take four walks
Status: two walks taken
12. schedule doctor's appointment
Status: not started
13. get hood for fish tank
Status: put in eBay bid on local tank with hood AND stand.
14. finish 2 nervousness exchanges
Status: one is nearly done, but no progress this week yet, one is not started.

Comments

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

i think that's just fine. i like poetry better than fiction anyway. (off to look for the nanowrimo community, which i hadn't heard of before.)

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I like fiction a great deal, and I'm not sure I even believe in poetry. But when I write, I write poetry most readily. Maybe it's just laziness :).

[paularubia.livejournal.com]

NoMoNaNoWriMo?

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

NoMoNaNoWriMo?


Classic! Thanks.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_riomaggiore/]

a well thought out choice. our decisions of choice eliminate the need to make certain other choices. we are wonderfully creatures, not bound to having to, must do or be expected to follow past patterns. i like the concept of choice and being free to change my mind without explanation or rationale of "why" or "what will you do."
follow (as i know you will) the desire of your heart. i applaud your sense of priorities. :)

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

[elainegrey.livejournal.com]

X is going to do NaNoWriMo. I told her how brave i thought she was and how the thought intimidated me. She said, "You should be intimidated. You're too busy as it is!"

I think i'll try to do a half hour of yoga at least four times a week and i'll be thrilled with the month. (And this dinner at the table together thing -- it's so cool!)

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I'd find nanowrimo easier than yoga, I think :).

[verian.livejournal.com]

Well said. I’ve been considering having a go myself but there are so many other things to do and with 2 ½ novels written already there’s no hurry for anything more. Sometimes life needs to be lived.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Yes, to be lived. That's exactly the ticket.

[sun-set-bravely.livejournal.com]

I hear you, and think it's great that you've made this choice for yourself. I am near to making it for myself as well. A wise woman once said that success is completing your goals, but it's also deleting goals that are no longer useful, or constructive in your life. I hope you enjoy your November, whatever you decide to do with it!

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I appreciate the kind and wise words.

[skygoodwill.livejournal.com]

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I see them as different, but now I'll have to think about the possibilities.

Trick or Treat!

[seraphimsigrist.livejournal.com]

.

Re: Trick or Treat!

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! :)