National Novel Writing Month During A Pandemic
Like many people, my creative pursuits have changed during Coronavirus. I spend my days in the same space, on the same couch, only moving to get food or take my dog for a walk. I don’t have the energy to write or market my writing. Some nights, when I napped during the day, I’ll stay up and get something done, but in general, I listen to podcasts, watch tv, read, play with the dog, and eat. I have ideas on what to write but I spend more time knitting, my other great creative output.
My knitting has slowed down over the past few years because I’ve been so focused on writing. That’s an article for another day. If you want a hat, scarf, or shawl, let me know. I have plenty!
I tried writing this year, considering my 2019 writing output, I did expect to slow down. Everything about writing and publishing has felt like a struggle. I hoped, by November, that I would have pulled through by taking things off my plate — releasing three books that were close to done and focusing on editing two projects that had no deadlines.
Now here it is, November and it’s time for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) — the most important month of my writing year.
Step back, what is NaNoWriMo? Basic idea: write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. I’ve done it for over 15 years. I’ve completed the challenge every year but one. We’re not going to talk about that year just yet.
In a “normal” year, I know how to complete the challenge. I know my “normal” writing habits (afternoons at my favorite cafe). I know how many words I can write in an hour (about 1,000). I know my plots enough and can still give it space to grow. My inner editor is forced on to a vacation. I know how to deal with distractions. I know how to deal with creative blocks.
This is not a normal year. I have no idea what day it is and time seems like it’s happening all at once. I have one space and one semi-demanding distraction (a dog) who still wants to sit in my lap while I work at my kitchen table. I like naps now, especially after lunch. By the way, this year, for the first time in the entire 44 years of my life, I’m hosting Thanksgiving for three of us, two of whom don’t give a fuck that I want to write a novel, not cook. All my “normal” ways of doing this are gone.
From this will come a new normal. If I can complete this challenge in this environment, I will show that I’m adaptable as a writer. This year is a test of habits to see what’s really important. Is it writing the way I like or is it writing? When this month is over, I’ll share how I did. I’ll share my normal tips for new NaNoWriMo participants and what I think of them now, on the other side of New Normal.
In the comments — tell me what hand knit item you want! Also, tell me about how your creativity has changed in 2020. Yes, sitting on the couch playing video games counts!
