I am an idiot.
Less than a week in and I decided to cut my goal in half, 25,000 words. Much more doable with the stack of other issues looming, one of which was the second month of the crazy workout aptly named Insanity (I cannot recommend this enough for anyone who can handle the high impact). The month was also capped off by a vacation to Sea World with the family (just as highly recommended). Any excuses aside, the main hang up was "the plan". I dove in with the intent to put 50,000 words into a work in progress which is evolving along a certain structure, one that I had copious amounts of trouble diverging from. I couldn't find a steady balance between the pre-planned and thoroughly outlined novel that's been brewing since February, and the spontaneous seat of the pants writing required for NaNo. This story hinges on the structure. The seed idea for the story is inherently a numerology based model of the universe, so yeah, the outline proved critical.
When the dust settled I scraped in under the line with just over 25,500 words added to the pile. I feel triumphant. The novel is moving in the right direction. I also made contact with a collection of amazing and creative people that simply understand. I am excited to consider them allies in the creative struggle. You know who you are, and you all rock on an epic scale. Truly. Epic.
So what was learned?
1. Writing is hard work. As with anything creative, a knack for it only goes so far. Pick your creative idol from any field. The masterpiece they are known for was not a product of raw talent alone. Hard work and practice, people.
2. Get the hell out of the way. All that hard work and practice means exactly jack and squat if you don't step aside and let the art happen. Stop second guessing, worrying, and editing, and go with the friggin' flow a bit. That masterpiece we were on about, it would still be a half formed idea if someone hadn't decided to stop planning and create it.
3. There is only one of me. Once you realize your limitations, you gain perspective. One man can move a mountain, it just takes a pant load of time and effort. You have to break it down to one project, one day at a time. I tend to dilute myself, and am constantly spread too thin. Most likely a product of attention deficit, I jump from task to task, and never feel like anything is accomplished. By putting my other interest away for a month I was able to see what I was actually capable of, and the world didn't end because I didn't carve a single spoon in July.
4. I am not alone. And neither are you. I'm now tied into a network of people that get it. There are those in the universe that have done what you most want to do. There are other humans attempting the same feats (or thoroughly comparable to those) you are undertaking. Join the good fight. Make mistakes. Ask questions. Grow together.
5. Forget the fear. This is easier when you apply the first four lessons. Before this month I only had the vaguest understanding of the sheer terror I had at the thought of putting my work out there. What I thought was an internal perfectionist was actually a scared little kid. He was, and still is to a lesser degree is, afraid of creating anything because it might suck. Not being sucks more than being imperfect. Build it, make it, create it, learn from it, love it for it's faults, and then make the next attempt better. Better yet, fix it in post!
There is a lot more to be learned from the process, but it is a process. I can try to explain in exacting detail the lessons and growth this kind of endeavor offers, but that won't do anyone any good. Whatever it is you have penned up inside you waiting to be expressed, it ain't getting refined being repressed. We create as a means of understanding ourselves, and everything that surrounds us. It is woven into our nature. Get out your tools, grab a pen, dig out those paint brushes. Go devise something amazing. Make something awesome. Build something epic. Craft something useful. Just go create.
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Personally, I have a lot more to do. I jumped on a couple of wood crafts that have been dying for July to end, so hang tight. That is up next, as promised. The current novel needs to be put to bed by November, because the full on NaNoWriMo is getting a book started from scratch so I can take another whack at 50,000 words. I also have a ton of projects waiting in the wings, but one day at a time folks (see above). In the mean time I'm curious to know what you guys are working on, or planning to work on. What torques your fancies, and sets you to creative motion? Don't be afraid to share with the class. It might just be the first step toward your masterpiece.
