Monday, November 2, 2009

It's Okay to Be a Tortoise

Disclaimer: I'm too busy to proofread anything below, so read at your own risk. Apologies for weird grammar and typos up front.

So how did all of you Nano-writers out there do on your first day? The prize from our group goes to the ultra-competitive Christine, who has put in a cool 5,000+ already. I was astounded by my husband's 3,400+ word count also. He was pretty tired after our Fall Fest church function yesterday, but he got excited about what he was writing and burned up the keyboard! Meanwhile, I helped kids with Physics, ran to the library, helped two young Nano writers, and only logged just over 2,000 words. But considering that Sundays are extremely busy days for us, I felt this was quite good for me. I have discovered that I am not the hare (although I am a speedy typist), but I am the tortoise.

I meditated for a brief moment on what good can come of being a tortoise.

1. Tortoises have protective shells.

Once December rolls around, that will be helpful. You have to be able to take constructive criticism as a writer. Note: you are not required to use all of it. You just have to be able to receive it without being crushed by the fact that someone other than you knows what you wrote wasn't perfect. Evaluate their advice as objectively as possible and don't let it hurt your feelings.

2. Tortoises keep on moving.

If you've seen any of the Bourne movies, you notice right away that the main character keeps moving, no matter what. This always works for him because, well, there's a writer out there making it work. But it is good advice for writers too, especially during Nanowrimo. Keep on writing. Eventually you will arrive somewhere, and if all goes well, it will be where you want to end up or even somewhere better.

3. Tortoises lay eggs.

You wrote a first draft. If it wasn't the golden egg like the one from the duck next door, don't be surprised and don't give up. Some very normal eggs out there can be turned into something golden with a lot of work. But the important thing is, you did it!

That's about all the philosophy I have time for today. (In fact, I think that used up my quota for the next month.) I have to go make some chocolate chip cookies for tonight's write-in at Christines.

Happy writing, and let it glorify your Creator that you are being creative too!!!!! (You're a chip off the old block, you know.)

3 comments:

  1. That was nice. I would leave a thoughtful meditative comment but I don't have time as I have got to get my 1700 words in yet today. I may be ahead of the game right now but days may come when I don't get to write. So I'll try to get as far ahead as I can. However I won't compete with Christine. I don't want to race anything but the calander.

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  2. No kidding. She's going for the jugular. It's safer just to get out of the way.

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  3. Retired last night with the great satisfaction of being first of the thirteen people on my buddy list, cashing in at 7,296! My worn and weary head hit the pillow just after 1:00 a.m.

    Upon greeting the day and booting up my computer I noticed someone on my buddy list crushed my dreams of victory with almost 7,700.

    Drats! Foiled again!

    The write-in was fun, although I did notice it's more productive to write then talk. The temptation was too great. I succumbed to the depths of conversation more then I intended. My cohorts seemed to experience the same problem.

    It was fun anyway, even if I was beaten horribly by WONDER-TYPER-WOMEN!!

    Beth, you may type faster then I, but you'll never take me alive! (imagine deep seditious laughter following)

    Laura, we missed you!

    Beth, GREAT post by the way!

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