Hello Steemians!
Well, we're eleven days into the new year, and my resolution to write a book is still going strong. I'm 18,000-ish words into the manuscript so far, with another few thousand in plotting and character/setting stuff lurking in the background, so I'm feeling pretty confident that I'll be able to hit 50,000 words by the end of the month. I chose 50,000 words because it's the same goal that people aim for during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I just want to prove to myself that I can do it, I guess. And then there's the fact that I want to get it done before school and my internship kick into high gear in February.
I feel like I've learned a lot about myself and about writing already, even though it's only been two weeks. I think it's because I've been making a concerted effort to write every day, which I haven't done for... a long time. Years, really. I've always considered myself a writer, but when I got RSIs in both wrists (repetitive stress injuries -- think tendonitis or carpal tunnel) a few years ago, the pain really discouraged me from writing. Even when I did write, it tended to be in spurts, since I found that writing every day would make my wrist injuries flare up more.
But thanks to physical therapy, it's been getting a lot better. I can also use dictation software now, and while my dictation skills are not quite at the level that I would like them to be, it's comforting to know that there's another way to write if typing becomes too painful. (And I get to use a Yeti! That's right, a real abominable snow creature helps me to dictate! ...Ok so I just have a Yeti microphone, but still. I like the name.)
So the last eleven days have been like a breath of fresh air. I feel like I have a better understanding of who I am when I'm writing. Going to art school, I've noticed that artists have a tendency to wrap their identity up in their art -- actors feel more comfortable in their own skin when they act, writers feel more confident in themselves when they write, painters feel more grounded when they paint... it's like we don't know who we are if we're not doing the form of art that we identify with. I wonder if other people feel this way, or if it's just an artist thing. For instance, do computer developers feel like they've lost their sense of self if they stop coding, or is it just a job?
To be fair, I'm not sure it's a very healthy way to be. I got really upset when I thought that I couldn't write anymore, and I've seen a lot of friends go through identity crises when they felt like their art form was being denied to them in some way. For instance, if you've always thought of yourself as an actor, but you can't make it professionally, are you still an actor if you stop acting? And if you're not an actor anymore, then who are you? It can really throw a person for a loop.
So it can be kind of neurotic. I'm not denying that at all. Someday, I hope for my identity to be more balanced and less wrapped up in writing. After all, there are a lot of different facets to my personality -- I love foreign languages, and travel, and theatre, and live events, and technology. I am lucky to have a lot of different passions, and writing is only one among many. But to be honest, my identity as a person is still totally intertwined with my identity as a writer. And it's been that way since I was... maybe twelve or thirteen? It's been a while.
For me, feeling like I've "earned" my identity as a writer has very specific parameters. First, I have to be actively working on something. And second, it has to be fiction. I've been blogging for years, but blog posts and other nonfiction writing has never felt like "writing" to me. Somewhere in the illogical part of my brain that measures my worthiness as a writer, nonfiction is under some strange heading like "chatting to people on paper." I don't know why.
Well, actually, that's a lie. I probably do know why. It's most likely because, for the longest time, I dreamed of becoming a novelist. While novelists do write nonfiction and blog posts, the most important part of their job is writing novels. So I feel pressure to be writing a novel (or at least a short story) all the time. But while I would still love to be a novelist, there are a lot of other jobs that I could see myself being happy doing as well. I think doing live event management would be amazing, as well as doing freelance writing for the new wave of blockchain technology (if you need any content or editing for a blockchain thing, we should talk!), but the need to write fiction continues to linger in the back of my mind.
So it's felt really good to give into that subconscious pressure to write fiction for the last couple of weeks. For one thing, it's fun! And for another, it feels great to finally turn to that snarky little voice in my mind that's always saying "You should be writing!" and be able to say "I am! So back off!" (Fellow writers, you totally know that snarky little voice I'm talking about. It's a real thing.) I don’t know if the novel I’m writing is any good, to be honest. It may never see the light of day. But I do know that I’m having fun writing it, and for now, that’s all that matters.
Best,
The Owl Hours
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Awww, that's so cute! I didn't know it was my Steemversary! Thanks!
Hi @theowlhours! Im still new on writing, never really blog before this, can't understand the snarky little voice experienced by writers haha! Good that you have found your identity as a writer, despite having so many interest in daily lives. Looking forward to read about your work in future! Take care of your wrists too :)
Thank you! Honestly the snarky little voice is something to avoid if you can. 😅 But welcome to blogging! I hope you have a lot of fun -- Steemit is a great place to write, because everyone is so positive.
Haha, ya, there's lots of uplifting posts everyday on steemit. Thanks, i will take time and enjoy it!
Well written @theowlhours
Keep it up!!
Thank you! 😊
Thank you! 😊
Writing is not really easy. But it's advisable to write what you know. Good article, I must commend you for putting up this together. Happy weekend!
Thank you! Happy weekend to you too! 😊
Welcome!
Yes, I will add my wishes of luck, happy wordsmithing and the gift of the muse to guide you as you choose your words.
Writing is the best fun (I write on the oft neglected subject of inner consciousness...so I know how hard it is, but also what joy it is when you're in the flow).
Happy steeming and writing!
In peace, Lily ⭐️
PS I am also a fellow night owl...to whit burning the midnight oil! 😊😊😊
Yay, a fellow night owl and writer! Thank you so much for your kind words, and I wish you luck and happy wordsmithing as well!
we get up and try every day and sometimes we end up with writer fatigue, other time we go blank but as time goes by we get better, you have come a long way soon your work will be finished and you will look back and be glad that you were persistence all the way
Hopefully I will. Persistence really is key, isn't it?
They suggested a therapeutic process from the psychology, this could help you a lot, could improve your potential to exploit them to the maximum, It is also important to work on motivation and how to accept the difficulties.
I am also a beginner writer, I am barely learning but I love doing it
That sounds interesting. I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying writing! It really is fun.
慢工出细活，灵感是体验出来的
Good advice! 😊
It's good that you can use a yeti (somehow I find this sentence wrong) for dictation whenever you cannot use your hand to write. Hopefully you can reach that 50,000 words your are aiming for, and when you do, post your novel here. Good luck!
Thank you for your encouragement! I'm definitely considering posting it here when it's done. :)
The most important think is to have fun. Its the same for every work you do, if you aren't enjoying it, better quit :) Don't spend your life doing something you don't like :)
I absolutely agree. :)
Beautifully expressed your feeling.
Words are a lens to focus one’s mind.
Thanks for sharing with us. !!!
Thank you for reading it!
Best of luck for your 50,000 words books. You are doing really well, Try to attract your stories so people get interested to read your 50,000 words book.
Thank you!
You are most welcome, How much time it takes daily to write book?
Usually about two hours, give or take 30 minutes.
Ohh! Alright, I think you would be busy with your business or job.
Well luckily I'm still a student, so I've got a bit more time. I think it will be more challenging once I graduate, but still doable. :)
Awesome, You are student waOo.. Wish you best of luck.
When people ask why I write, I simply answer: "Because good writing allows people to feel something deep within they didn't know exist."
So I write.
I feel something.
I want others to feel something.
That's all I ask.
Writing is identity indeed. I agree wholeheartedly.
I think that's great motivation. :) I think I write because I enjoy getting lost in the story that I'm writing, and also because I love it when people enjoy what I wrote. I love hearing about why people write... there are probably as many different answers as there are writers.
And that's why we're an amazing breed ;)
Yo would love to connect, you on steemit chat?
Like the people who likes writing, can't help myself :) If you feel like you're a writer, then you're a writer. Ignore the haters and clever dicks. Just aim what you want to do and walk smoothly. Hope everything would be the way you have dreamt :)
That's a lovely way of thinking about it. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing this post dear Keep it up
Thank you for reading it!
Congrats on your achievement,it isn't easy to write.I like your determination this new year.Happy weekend
Thank you! Happy weekend to you too!
Great to see someone pursue their passion and not give.
I want to know how do you count the words to get an estimate of 50,000 words?
Average page count? Etc...
I write with a word processor called Scrivener, and I can see the word count at the bottom of the screen. (Word and Pages do this too, I think.) To write 50,000 words in a month, I have to write about 1,700 words a day, so I just aim for the word count to be 1,700 words higher than it was the day before. But when I wrote by hand and needed to know my word count, I figured out the average number of words I had on each page (usually 250-300), and then went by number of pages.
Thanks for the reply!
Alrighty I'll look up for Scrivener sounds like a good thing to have.
Can't wait to read the novel.
Do post the links to where we can get them once it's done! 👍
Writing is also a unique skill ,which many don't have it.& by using 50k words which is a serious tough task.
It is tough. But I've found that the discipline to sit down every day and spend the time to write is actually harder for me than the writing itself. 😅
You are tend to do hard work .great going man
I feel like I'm getting to know myself better with every word that I write down. Wiser with every step. Loving every breathe!
Thanks for sharing your perspective! And the article is really well organized!
Thank you for the feedback! I try to make sure that my blog posts have a natural flow to them, so I'm really glad it worked out in this one. I wish you luck with your writing!
Yeah, for me also - the flow matters.
Keep writing and inspiring! You're doing it great!
help me guys
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You have written really more words and i know it's hard to write a book because you have to use your brain to make story beautiful.
It's my first day on steemit please checkout my introduction.
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I love writing too. I mostly write poems. I am planning to share them on my blog. Good luck on your novel! 😊
I appreciate your thoughts, I learn a lot while writing because i do researching and learn many new things like this.
It's my 4th day on steemit please help me to grow here i am traveling Queen.
A GUIDE TO VISITING BANFF NATIONAL PARK IN WINTER Part #4
I'm writing a book too. It's for kids. :). Let us know how everything goes. Joy
can u pls resteem my post
https://steemit.com/community/@chaker/alslam-alykm