I’m tired and out of words right now, so for now:
More details in a day or so, then back to my usual blogging nonsense.
Woohoo!
Author: Jackie Pick
Jackie Pick is a former teacher and current writer living in the Chicago area. She is a contributing author to multiple anthologies, including Multiples Illuminated, So Glad They Told Me: Women Get Real about Motherhood, Here in the Middle, as well as the and the literary magazines The Sun and Selfish. She received Honorable Mention from the Mark Twain House and Museum for her entry in the Royal Nonesuch Humor Writing Competition. Jackie is a contributing writer at Humor Outcasts, and her essays have been featured on various online sites including McSweeney's, Belladonna Comedy, Mamalode, The HerStories Project, and Scary Mommy. A graduate of the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, Jackie is co-creator and co-writer of the award-winning short film Fixed Up, and a proud member of the 2017 Chicago cast of Listen To Your Mother.
NaNoWriMo Day 19
Today’s writing was all painful truths. One essay is something that, if shared, might cause upset in a very close-knit artistic community. It’s certainly not in a state ready to be shared, and I certainly would never share it just to make waves. But it’s painful in the base case, and wondering how it would be received makes it more so. Of course, that’s never a consideration when I write. I’ve learned to let those thoughts run loose only once I hit “save” for the day and sit quietly.
I wrote of my experience with sexism and anti-Semitism during my limited time in improv. The memories, some comfortably in storage for the last six years or so, crawled out of their cozy compartments and poked at me to get my attention. Perhaps they were emboldened by recent political events. Or perhaps they came forth because I’m feeling open to writing my own experiences without worrying about my legacy.
Both of today’s essays today are about vulnerable moments. My weakness, both internal and perceived by others. Memories that make me cringe or cry. Or want to time travel and take my younger self by the hand and give her some of the strength and wisdom-via-age that I can claim now. Essays that I don’t think I would have had the courage to put to paper even a year ago.
Growth is sometimes measured in bravery.
Hard day writing. Good day writing.
I like it when my totals for the day end up a nice round number. I have approximately two or three more days until I hit my 50,00. I’m excited and ready to slow down and focus on making these essays and stories work. Right now, I have pages upon pages of something that cautiously approaches good. And messy.
Day 19 Stats:
- Essay: “Intersection of Improvisation and Online Comments” 1844 words
- Essay: “Milestones” 1056 words
Daily Word Count: 2900 words
Total Word Count: 45,257 words
NaNoWriMo Days 15-18
Hello. Hi. Howdy. Sometimes I miss just coming here and chatting. This month, however, choices must be made, and my choice this month is to devote as much time as possible writing my 50,000 words. That doesn’t always leave time to come here and chit the chat.
Today is no different.
We are in week four (maybe five, I don’t even know anymore) of at least one child being sick. Coughs and sniffles, broken up occasionally by a sinus infection, strep, or fifth’s disease, have been passed around my household, keeping us all awake for several hours each night. Finally, last night, I was felled by some bizarre combination of headache, sinus pressure, nausea (no, I’m not pregnant, thank you for thinking that) and sore throat. It’s a greatest hits of all my kids’ illnesses for the four weeks (maybe five).
So today I wrote 1800 words, which normally I could do in one sitting, but it took me over eight hours today. Eight miserable hours of my own discomfort plus taking care of two littles who are also unwell, but well enough to want such unreasonable items as food, water, and attention.
I’m closing in on 50,000 and am in a murky area where I wonder if I’m spinning my wheels, if I’m adding words that add value to the piece. That kind of thinking slows me down. I am enjoying cycling through two or three open pieces at a time. Makes me feel like a Somewhat Nimble Writing Ninja. Or just really unfocused. Sinus-infected. Take your pick.
Once I hit 50,000 words, I will resume a more reasonable writing schedule. This past year I was a task master — each day at least an hour and forty minutes editing or the usual 1667 words based on the NaNo model (and something I read somewhere one hour of editing is worth 1000 words.) Making up lost time on weekends or early mornings.
It did not go well.
I need to rework the model so I’m focusing on trying to finish a certain number of pieces in a certain time frame or looking at a submission deadline and working backwards from there to create a schedule. Or maybe expect only 7000 words/7 hours editing a week (or a combination of the two.) Until next summer, that may be all I can commit.
I am relearning that I am happiest when I actually can spend hours writing, and when I’m not trying to “squeeze it in.” That’s the best part of NaNo.
The illness? Not so much.
Here’s to tea, juice, ibuprofen, and a heating pad.
Day 15 Stats:
- Short Story: “Pie Trauma” (Working Title) 1037 words
Daily Word Count: 1037
Total Word Count: 35,723
Day 16 Stats:
- Essay: “How to Recognize a Mother on Vacation” 2043 words
Daily Word Count: 2043
Total Word Count: 37,766
Day 17 Stats:
- Essay: “Control Z” 2757 words
Daily Word Count: 2757
Total Word Count: 40,523
Day 18 Stats:
- Short Story: “Pie Trauma” (Working Title) 394 words
- Essay: “How to Recognize a Mother on Vacation” 1042 words
- Essay: “Inheritance” 398 Words
Daily Word Count: 1834
Total Word Count: 42,357
