Writing Update: Living in the Moment

NaNoWriMo is a busy time for writers. If you’ve decided to participate in the crazy challenge then I’m sure you’ve been filling your days by hectically trying to plan your book, filling notebooks, scribbling ideas, or staring into the corner wondering when you became so insane (I’m guilty of the last one…). Or even if you’re a discovery writer and you don’t have all the planning to do, you’re still mentally preparing as well as worrying about next month.

Why do we do this challenge again? XD

As for me, I was not planning on participating this year. Earlier this month I finished my current novel (EEEEEEH!!!) and knew I would be spending November editing (uuuuugh) so writing a novel in a month was not in the schedule… or was it? Yes, crazily enough, I have since decided to give it a go. Because, why not? (Well, I can actually think of many reasons why not but that’s beside the point.)

I mean, why can’t I edit an entire novel in one month, write a completely different novel on the side, launch a brand new business, as well as keep up with blogging and life on the side? (Is your head spinning yet because mine is. XD) So yeah, I have a lot going on. And to top it all off, my family went on a week-long camping trip earlier this month and so my month of planning was cut into a couple of weeks… yes, I am seriously planning an entire novel in a couple of weeks because, again, why not?

But you want to know the crazy thing about it all? I’m not stressed. I’m not panicking. I’m not rushing around trying to cram everything in. I’m taking each project one step at a time, and getting stuff done.

I think sometimes we build things up in our head into this insurmountable task until it becomes… insurmountable. Remaining calm through a busy season is hard–especially when NaNo is involved!–but it’s the difference between succeeding and failing.

It’s not easy. So many times I’ve been tempted to work on this new novel another time, or launch my business another month, or even push editing off a little longer. Anything to cut my to-do list in half! But I don’t want to do any of that. I truly want to complete each of these projects.

Now, I’m not promoting overworking your mental energy here, that is not what I’m saying in this post… I do not recommend piling so many things on top of yourself like I’m currently doing. But, in life, it happens sometimes and you have to roll with it. What I’m saying is to take it in stride.

When my family went camping, I thought I might be able to work on planning my novel here and there when time allowed… only to find out that the signal there was little to nonexistent. However, that was a blessing in disguise because that week off writing, off screens, really off life! It was just what I needed to come home refreshed, refilled, and ready to tackle my ever growing to-do list.

A goal of mine lately has been to live in the moment. Not on my phone. Not in my writing. Not in the pages of a book. But in the moment. I want to live life to its fullest and I can’t do that by burying myself away in my never ending tasks. Life is always going to be busy, so make time through the craziness to live a little and enjoy it. A few evenings ago my sister and I went out on the back porch and danced while the sun set in the distance. It was a beautiful evening and we had so much fun! I could have been writing… I could have been working on my business launch… I could have been preparing for edits… or doing basically anything else. But instead, I danced.

I danced as the sun sank low. I laughed as my family tried to join in. I smiled as I watched our new puppy attack our cat (in a loving way!). I lived life. And it was amazing.

I believe that it’s by allowing myself these times that I have not been stressed about everything I want to get done. And it’s through these times that I then feel like completing my tasks later… instead of being burnt out.

Another way to avoid burnout is by setting priorities. Right now, my priorities go as follows: editing, business, blogging, writing. You have to know your priorities so that you can then decide what is most important to work on, and focus on those things first. If you try to do it all at once… it won’t end well (don’t ask me how I know).

You may be surprised that writing isn’t higher on my list, but the truth is, it’s just not a priority. I decided to participate in Nano at the last minute and I know that I may not meet the 50,000 word challenge next month, but I’m okay with that. Because I know that I have an agent asking to see my other novel and so editing that novel is more important. I know that to get my business launched this next month, I have to work hard on that and get things done. Blogging is always an important thing to me and I don’t want to take a month off despite the craziness coming my way this next month, so it’s the next important task.

So, as much as I don’t want writing to be at the end of my priority list, that is simply how it fell. People always say writing should be a high priority but… that’s not true. I love writing and nothing will ever change that, but life happens and it cannot always be on the top of my list.

Live in the moment. It’s always the best place to be. I hope I’ve stressed that point enough here so that you’ll take a moment to enjoy something that brings you joy. That thing might even be writing! Never lose the joy in life.

And as a sort of “P.S.”… I realize I’ve dropped several surprises in this post. If you’re subscribed to my email list then it wasn’t a surprise at all, but if you’re not, let me take a moment to explain better.

First off, I finished my novel!! I feel I mentioned that a little too casually for the importance of this moment! I’m excited and sad all at the same time to be done with this novel. I know I’m nowhere near done with it though so that is a consolation.

Secondly, I mentioned having an agent interested in my book. I don’t remember if I’ve said that either in my newsletter or on my blog before. So if I have, here it is again, and if I haven’t… surprise! When I went to a writer’s conference earlier this year I accidently got an agent interested in my book and she asked me to send it to her when I’m done! *enter internal screaming* So I’m actively working towards getting my book ready to send to her and just so excited to be at this stage with my writing!

Also I mentioned a business launch! At the risk of sounding redundant… I’m so excited for this new venture! I will be selling all-natural candles (made with 100% organic soy wax, natural essential oils, and cotton wicks) as well as some fun stickers. I will be launching it at the beginning of November so stay tuned for that update! And if you would like to help me as well as throw in your input, I’ve created a Google form with only a few simple questions that would help me so much if you would fill out! Here is the link to that if you wish to do it: Google form link. Thanks in advance!

Your turn!

What are a few hobbies you enjoy but don’t find a lot of time for? Have you taken the time recently to live in the moment? Are you participating in NaNoWriMo?

Blessings, Allyson

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