Shaken But Not Stirred

Chasing Waterfalls

Friday, November 18th, 2011

You know how stunning, majestic, and exciting waterfalls can be? How you’re lured in by their charm and beauty, only to forget how the torrents of water slap you in the face, thrust you against hidden rocks below, and threaten to drown you?

Yeah, that.

Well, that’s me. I’ve been slapped in the face and thrust to and fro by this darn National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and I feel like I’m drowning, so I’m out! O. U. T!

There’s only twelve days left—TWELVE—(can you believe how fast November flies), and I haven’t even reached the halfway mark towards 50,000 words. Yes, I’ve made great strides and I’m pretty impressed by how many chapters I’ve already accomplished, but my brain is frazzled.

I was chasing waterfalls. Lured in by the thrill and excitement of NaNoWriMo while choosing to overlook the hidden, rocky challenges below.

Challenge #1: I can’t take the pressure. WTH was I thinking?

Challenge #2: I’ve hit a brick wall and my brain has shut down. I can’t figure out what to do next in the storyline, let alone write about it.

Challenge #3: I’m unable to write with reckless abandon without going back to over-think and over-edit everything I wrote, which slows me down.

Challenge #4: I’m tired of being shackled and bound to my computer. I feel like Kunta Kinte′ and Chicken George—I need to break free.

Therefore, instead of trying to reach the 50,000 word deadline in the twelve remaining days of November (and typing my fingers raw), I’m going to unlock the shackles and run at my own pace—a more comfortable pace—which means I won’t reach the goal on time, but I’ll still have run the race. (It’s great training for when I re-enter next year.)

But I must give a shout out to all you well-wishers who’ve cheered me on and lifted me up in support during this writer-thon madness. My words to you are, “Thank You.” And particular thanks to the three S’s—Starla, Sharon & Susan. You guys are all that.

Now I close with song lyrics from the 90s R&B/Pop group TLC: “Don’t go chasing waterfalls, please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to. I know that you’re gonna have it your way or nothing at all, but I think you’re moving too fast.”

Tags: Marathon, NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, R&B Group TLC, TLC, waterfalls, Writer-thon
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