This is my 100th post. I never thought I’d stick it this long.
It’s going well.
Let’s look at some of the stats:
- 104,000 words written over since February.
- 10,008 views,
- 6887 visitors
- 198 likes
- 42 followers
- 34 comments.
Not bad, all things considered.
If you’re reading this, whether it’s your first time here or you’re a frequent visitor can I must say thank you. I hope that you keep coming back.
Obviously, there are aspects on my end that I need to do to keep you coming back.
You are under no obligation to come back, and I understand that. That’s why I want to make sure that you do.
That means that sometimes I will say stuff that you like. That also means I’ll say something that you won’t like so much.
For example, on Sunday I’ve got reasons, not to date men from Northern Ireland. On Monday reasons to not date Northern Irish women. On Wednesday there’s the big daddy, or should that be the big mummy, reasons not to date a single mum.
I hope it annoys you because if you’re not using your words to under the skin then what’s the point?
100th post was not supposed to be this
Originally my 100th post was supposed to be about how I spent election night 2016 in Houston, Texas.
Do you want to know why it’s not?
It turns out that I struggle to talk about myself. I can tell you about things that I do and things that I like.
When it comes to talking about Kieran Majury and what he thinks and feels I get all sheepish.
I need to push on through with it though. It’s a post that I’ve had planned out for a while, and I just need to persevere with the story. You’ll probably read it sometime in December.
100 more
I hope to do at least 100 more posts. It turns out that I’m enjoying the whole thing. I’m getting into the habit of writing. Being able to write 1000 words is coming a little easier than it did at the start.
Funny to think that I began writing piddly short stories that were around 500 words each. The beginning was the hardest part. I wouldn’t say that I’m in the flow that I would like to be, but it definitely feels like I’m much closer than I was before.
Just got to keep writing.
There’s a bit of self-talk that I use with myself when I’m exercising. The expression is applicable here, and you too might find it useful:
“It’s harder to start when you don’t stop.”
This might not make a whole lot of sense, but I use this to tell myself to keep going. Starting might be the hardest part of any endeavour.
“A beginning is a very delicate time.” -Dune
Think about your birth, cold, naked, having to use your lungs. You’re frightened and confused. You spend the next couple of years having to learn how to use your body. You learn how to speak and how to navigate this terrifying rock that’s hurtling through a vacuum.
Most things aren’t that bad, it’s the fear we have of starting them that is what’s holding us back. I used to get anxious when it came to doing things now I’m going in the complete opposite direction as I get older. My plan is to get myself into to difficulty and work from there.
Doesn’t always work out but hey here’s another golden line from yours truly:
“The only bad decision is indecision”
Man oh man am I firing out the golden nuggets, you’re honoured, I know, it’s OK, you don’t have to thank me.
Stop and start, stop and start. People who take that kind of approach never get too far. I know because I’m one of them. Each time I start I try and get a little further.
An Announcement
At the time of writing it’s November. There is a month long event called National novel writing month (Nanowrimo for short). People across the globe take all November to write a novel.
I know I’m late to the party, fashionably late, but I’m going to give it a go.
Can I compress a month’s worth of writing into a week?
There’s only one way to find out.
Here’s the plan:
- It’ll be an adaptation of an old script so that I don’t have to worry about overthinking. I hate thinking, be it over, under or sufficient.
- It’s going to be lean, 35000 words lean to be exact.
- Each chapter will be 1000 words approx.
- Write 5000 words a day, 2×3 hour blocks of writing.
- Start on Saturday, finish on Friday.
- Take the Saturday and Sunday afterwards for some light editing.
The week will cover the first draft.
If you’re wondering how I came up with some of these numbers check out my article on The Dublin System.
It takes me roughly twenty-four hours to write 20k words. So by that math 10k takes twelve, 5k takes six. 42 hours of writing overall.
I won’t be looking at it again until December. That’s when the editing will begin a bit more earnestly.
I intend to have it released sometime in January.
This is more a mission statement for myself. I find that public declarations are more effective when it comes to lighting a fire below my feet.
If you’re thinking that doesn’t give me a lot of time you’re right. I’m more concerned about getting something out rather than it being any good.
As with the blogging, I started weak. In my estimation, I’m getting better as I go.
I’m looking forward to this. It’ll be a pain but with there can’t be any growth without pain. Remember those growing pains when you were a teen? I remember mine, my legs would hurt so bad. This week will be sore but I’ll be able to walk tall by the end.
I can’t wait to get started and hope that you’ll consider reading the finished product. When it’s ready of course.
Do you believe that I am getting better or worse? Tell me in the comments below. Don’t hold back, I can take it, I hope.
Sometimes it’s better to get started.
Afterall a beginning is a very delicate time.
Best to dispense with the delicacies then isn’t it?
