Okay…I admit it. I don’t feel like blogging today. I don’t feel like writing today.
I’ve been working on my new booklet, but it’s been slow going. I should have gotten a lot more done than I have. I’ve stuck with it for several hours, however, and at least I’ve gotten something done. Sometimes as a nonfiction writer you can only say for the work you’ve done , “I persevered. I stayed in front of the computer, and I wrote. I don’t know if what I wrote is good, but I put one word after the other.” That I did. (Remember NaNoWriMo is NOT about good writing; it’s just about writing 50,000 words. I haven’t even asked you to write a certain number of words. I’ve just challenged you to write and finish a project this month.)
Here’s the deal: I’m jet lagged. I flew all the way across the country and back in four days. My body is sore from sitting so much (six hours on a plane plus an hour and a half in a car to get to and from the airport and two hours waiting to board the plane). And now I’m sitting again, this time in front of my computer.
I’ve got a big work week ahead of me, plus I’ve got lots of things to handle for my children. On top of that, my husband and I have some stress factors to deal with concerning his employment situation. All in all, I’d like to just crawl into a hole rather than write a blog or a booklet. I love my clients, but at this moment, I don’t feel like editing either. I want to sleep or read or watch TV or stare into space. I want to do anything but write.
In addition, I can’t think of one interesting subject to write about at this particular moment. I wouldn’t say I’ve got writer’s block. I could write if I knew what to write about. I’ve got idea block.
I keep wondering if anyone is reading this blog anymore…If you are, why don’t you send along a comment asking me to cover a specific topic? That would be helpful. I’ve got one more week to go, and, actually, I’d love to write about something important to you (if it’s a subject I feel competent to cover) rather than something I think might be important or helpful to you.
That’s it for today, folks. I’m just not inspired. It’s one of those days. We all have them. At least I tried. I sat down. I wrote something. (I did work on my Write Nonfiction in November writing project, which I really need to do more work on if I’m to finish it in the next week. This blog has become my Write Nonfiction in November writing project…I guess I’ll be able to say I completed that. I know I missed a few days, but I did blog almost all month. Well, I do have a week to go…and I do want to finish that booklet, so off I go to write a bit more.)
Yep. We are still reading your blog. I’ve written almost 45,000 words for NaNoWriMo and am on my way to winning my certificate. I’m also 90% complete with the book proposal I’ve been working on. I know that Write Nonfiction in November isn’t a contest, but I would surely love a gold star for completing my non fiction project. 🙂
Here are some topic ideas:
– When is research just another form of procrastination and when is it research. How can writers make the most of their research time.
– Explain the different types of nonfiction writing (how to and narrative nonfiction). I bring this topic up because I was talking to my plumber’s mother. She wrote a collection of short stories that are based on true accounts and she thought she was writing fiction.
– In a previous post you mentioned that you are good at self-editing. I’m not doubting your editing skills, but I find that most writers aren’t good editors. I know I’m not, that’s for sure. But most writers that I come across feel they don’t need a professional editor. I think that is a big mistake. Especially if someone is thinking about self-publishing. Editing is a talent that has to be honed. Most writers don’t realize that.
– In a previous post, you mentioned self-publishing. Perhaps a post on your feelings regarding iUniverse, LuLu, or other self-publishing avenues. If you are hesitant to provide your personal opinion then perhaps just providing readers with an overview of each. I thought of this topic because during my conversation with my plumber’s mother she mentioned that one of her friends lost money when she hired a publisher. From the conversation, I gathered that her friend hired a vanity publisher.
Okay, hope I was somewhat helpful.
I’m really sorry I didn’t find this earlier, I’ve been writing all month and would love to have had some company.
I completed one draft last year while writing in NANOWRIMO, and also had two books started but not completed during the first two years.
But I have also been told to stick to non-fiction especially since now I have seven skeleton “Companion Guide to:” books about current mystery fiction and need a push to get them finished and published. I wonder if you are familiar with this kind of writing and if you have any suggestions on getting the author to “authorize” such a book.
Regards, Eileen Regan
Brooklyn, New York
Sorry, Eileen, I don’t know anything about companion guides. I’ve posted your comment. Maybe someone else out there does and will respond. Sorry you were writing alone, but join me next year. If the conference gets involved, this may not happen in November, so check my web site every now and then. And you can also drop me an e-mail if you get lonely. Best of luck.