12 November 2007

the center cannot hold if there is no center

I'm worried about my novel. Everything seemed to be going so well, but now, at 15,013 words in 50 pages things seem to be falling apart and not in a successful Chinua Achebe-esc kind of way. 15,013 words may seem like a lot, but by the end of today I should have 20,004 if I want to be on track for 50,000 by the 30th.

The entire thing is a detailed and rambling character sketch, and I'm feeling completely overwhelmed by the idea of pulling it all together. But this is my mission today, to revive the thread of a plot that begins somewhere around page 10, and pull it through to the end and onward.

I must remind myself that it's okay to plow forward with no clear idea of where my characters are heading, to let them guide me, and to remember that I don't need to edit anything until December, or maybe January or never.

I also understand that I will have to make sacrifices to ensure that this happens today. My sick children will have to watch way too much TV, my laundry will have to pile up just a little bit higher and we will eat leftover soup for dinner. But if I can do this today, then maybe I can make it through the rest of the month without the entire thing falling to pieces and taking a little part of me with it.

9 comments:

Jessica @ Little Nesting Doll said...

You can do it! Don't overthink, just let it happen...just from your writing on the blog, I know you're good, so I have faith in you! And if the kids are sick, they need to watch tv all day anyway!

Maureen said...

You WILL do it. It just may be stubborn and not adhere to your time line. But when it is done, I can't wait to read it!

beta mom said...

Go Nell! You can do it! (Considering I've never written more than 400 words in a row, most of which don't make any kind of sense, I'm VERY impressed).
Do this for you - a little tv, dirtly laundry and take out food never hurt anybody!

Cathy, Amy and Kristina said...

Power on. I know you can do it. We'll hold you accountable because we want to read it.

Anonymous said...

Keep going, girl. Just get the words down, like you said, you don't have to edit right now.

Oh, and I love that you mentioned Achebe.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately you have been tagged for a meme on my blog - this is the way these things go right?

Carrie @carrieloves said...

You go sister! Your family will be strong and make it through this... you can do it! I'm rooting for you!

Heather said...

I hope you made it through the day! Forget the laundry...there's more to life, like good books!

Anonymous said...

I feel you. i'm at 12k and 50k looks insurmountable....we'll do it, but it's scary looking up....