I think I've redefined the meaning of stretching yourself too thin this month. Or should I say for the coming month. To qualify here is a list of things I have going on for the next four weeks:
- NaNoWriMo
- Sister's hens night
- Sister's wedding (of which I am a bridesmaid/florist)
- November giveaway
- Must finish Aussie Author Challenge for above stated giveaway
- A million and one books to read/review
Yeah okay, so the list doesn't look that daunting when it's presented so neatly but I kid you not it's more than it seems. I realise that none of the stuff on the list is mandatory and I could just say no and take the pressure off myself but c'mon, let she who is without a toppling TBR pile cast the first book. Nobody? I didn't think so!
I thought my 5 days off work would help but the internet was down for 2 of those days (you didn't notice because I have perfected the skill of squint typing into an iPhone and I know where the 3G hotspots are in my street!). Also, I've been hit with another mysterious headache so looking at the computer screen has been a bit nauseating.
Anyway, enough of that. I promised I would give myself this post to freak out and then I'd just get on with it. Thanks for listening guys!
I'm right there with you, Lan! Looking ahead at November, with working full-time, blogging, reading, and Nano, and thinking...YIKES!
ReplyDeleteBut hey. It's what we book junkies do, right?
Just remember that Nano is about letting loose and, to be a bit gross, vomiting those words onto the page. No self-editing, no filtering. Just WRITE. It's cathartic. It's often very sloppy. It's worth it!
You're freaking out? Me too! I think I couldn't fall asleep last night because I was over-thinking about things. I'm forcing myself to schedule the rest of my month and next month to free up my free time better for NaNo. I have a feeling I won't be getting much reading done for it, so I'm going to cram a little more in this week.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to freak out once in awhile. It keeps us on our toes. :) You'll be able to handle it! I believe in you!
I love the image of you standing in said 3G hot spot -presumably in a neighbors yard, precariously balanced on their fence- squinting at your phone, and typing away. I'd pay good money to see that. ;) That's devotion!
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Lan. Always good to prioritize when we're boxed into these corners and, oh yeah, don't forget to breathe!
ReplyDeleteJust hang in there girl, and try to breathe and relax. :)
ReplyDeleteBJ: I think giving up the editing and filtering is my biggest problem. I tried to sit down and power through the words but I spent 90% of the time thinking up the right thing to write. I need more practice before the big event.
ReplyDeleteJessica: I'm already planning a disclaimer post saying I won't be reading much the whole of November! And I've been staying awake at night thinking up plot lines as well. Can't believe it's only 7 days away.
Jenny: LOL. I had to be a little bit not afraid to be mauled by neighbour's dogs!
Michael: Yes! I will be sitting down today to prioritise exactly what I need to do first. One step at a time.
Ash: I'm hanging in there but just barely. Lucky I still have two days off. I feel like going back to sleep though!
My life is like this all the time! I'm always stretching myself too thin, and need to stop doing that. It's really bad for my health, and I always end up paying for it. (slaps self on wrist)
ReplyDeleteYour sister's getting married! That's important, and stressful. But, really awesome, and congratz to her! Hope you can manage all of this. Multi-tasking has taken on a new meaning, lol.
Cathy: I was going to slow right down after NaNo and then realised it would be December which means Xmas and I am the ringleader of the office Xmas decoration committee (self appointed). It's all my own fault really. Yep, younger sister's wedding. Excited but also stressful.
ReplyDeleteYou've definitely got a lot on your plate! Weddings are especially stressful, I know. But you can do it!
ReplyDeleteKaren: Thanks for the vote of confidence. Spent the whole day freaking out but not doing very much!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, it's almost NaNoWriMo! I almost forgot! I was thinking about participating this year, but I already have absolutely NO TIME at all to sit there and do nothing for a second, so I'll have to wait another year LOL. But I hope you get lucky and have a good, solid writing month without blocks, Lan! :)
ReplyDeleteYou've got so much ahead of you too! And especially with a wedding coming up? You'll honestly be my hero if you can do everything you want to do!
I wish you the best and best of luck, Lan! :) I know you can do it!
Just take deep breaths and get some sugary goodness. I am stacked for the month with things to do, but not freaking out. It either happens, or it doesn't. Just worry about one thing at a time and all that jazz. Stressing is unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteBeth ^_^
haha. no problem! I think i understand what you mean about the list being more than what it seems. I have grad school homework, actual work at work (which I'm not doing right now)books/blogging to do, the Bout-of-Books read-a-thon, a giveaway to start next week(you're the first to know about this besides the author...by the way did you get your book yet?), a vet appointment with my puppy to find out if his surgery was a success...all due by next tuesday. Plus I have to fit some sleep in there somewhere...hmph! sounds like this week is going to be a bit of a struggle!
ReplyDeleteby the way, what on earth is a sister's hen's night???
What are you talking about? That list totally looks daunting! I've the utmost faith that you can do it, though. And good on you for allowing yourself a freak-out moment, then forcing yourself to plow ahead. Advice I can sorely use this week.
ReplyDeleteI keep going back and forth on whether or not I wanna particpate in NaNoWriMo... In some ways, it sounds wonderful--I mean, a novel in a month??? seriously?--but in others, it's kinda terrifying. *shivers* Hopefully I'll at least set some kind of goal for the month, just to get my WIP jumpstarted. Hope everything goes well with your sister's wedding!
ReplyDeleteNinja Girl
Deep breath! In...and out....in...and out. That's it. ;)
ReplyDeleteBesides NaNoWriMo is going to be so much fun!
Congratulations to your sister :)
Beth: You sound like my husband. Although his sugar advice was followed by a trip to the store where he bought and ate a slap of chocolate on his own!
ReplyDeleteSherre: A hen's night is the Australian equivalent to a bachelorette party. Sorry, I sometimes forget about the cultural translations.
Peggy: Thanks for the vote of confidence! I am trying really hard to prioritise everything.
Ninja Girl: You should do an unofficial NaNoWriMo. I know a few other bloggers who are doing a shorter word count goal. I just really need to push myself to write.
Alex: Thanks! I am looking forward to NaNoWriMo for sure. See you on the other side!
Ha!!! I learn new stuff every day!!! Enjoy your Hen's night. I just went to my first one like last year...too fun and ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better by now. That is a busy month you have slated! I'm drafting a list of book bloggers who are participating in NaNoWriMo. I've added you, but let me know if you want me to fill in some of the details I'm missing: http://www.joyweesemoll.com/2011/10/25/nanowrimo/
ReplyDelete