Why Does Writing Take So Long?

Back in high school and college, the thing I dreaded absolutely the most was lengthy research papers. Theatre and music projects, more structured in nature, brought a faster reward. I finished those on time!

But a long paper?!?!?! Usually on a topic that I did not choose, I half-heartedly researched just enough to create an outline. Then I skated.....  and then didn't look at it until maybe two or three days before the paper was due. And I had to TYPE it on a MANUAL typewriter!  Most of the time, I didn't make the deadline. I must have had favor with my teachers because I think I got an 'A' on every paper despite its lateness. However, that never brought enough satisfaction to motivate me the next time!

Now that I am writing longer works of fiction, those days of one semester deadlines seem wimpy.  Two to three years is not unusual for me to write a screenplay or a novel. I guess that is why NANOWRIMO is so encouraging. I have written a full length novel in a month. That is rewarding! With that success behind me, I now think that with a little more focused attention,  I can get my current project done by the end of summer. Let's see that's 3 months from now, less than a semester. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can...