NaNoWriMo Struggles

I shouldn't be complaining that my summer has been fun and busy, but I for real need to buckle down and write about 5000 words now.

Last week I was at a service camp through my church. It was an incredible experience, and I got to serve the elderly and disabled in my community by singing in different nursing/retirement homes. But I'm glad to be in my own bed again.

I went a solid two weeks without working on my story, which I'm ashamed to admit. My July goal of writing every day lasted about ten days, and I'm back to scrambling to get words in (like always).

How did I ever like participating in NaNoWriMo? But I guess at the end of it all, this isn't about NaNoWriMo, but rather about me having discipline and getting down to writing. If I want to have my first draft done by September 30, I will need to pick up the pace. In the past few weeks, I'm completely lost focus and sight of my writing goals. By blogging and documenting, I hope to change that.

Goal: I'll check in with a successful writing update before the end of the month. Either I'll have won NaNoWriMo or not.

Carrot: I can feel good about myself and go to band camp stress free!

Stick: There will be an even bigger writing goal for August.

Truth: There will probably be an even bigger writing goal for August anyway because this story won't write itself.

Apologies for rambling. It's tired, I'm late.

Summer TBR (or Rather, a Lack Thereof)

Summer is a time of spontaneity. It is a time of not planning. It is a time perfect for deciding on the spot. 

That is why I am officially not giving myself a firm summer TBR. 

Of course there are books I would love to read this summer. Things I've had for awhile or things I want to purchase but don't have money for yet. But it's important I make my decision of what to read next only after I finish a book. 

This past week, I plowed through Mistborn: The Final Empire. Spontaneity lead me to drive to Barnes & Nobles, pick up a copy of The Well of Ascension, and start reading the sequel early the next day. All school year, I loved for the freedom to make choices like these; I was sick of the meticulous planning of what I'd do and when. Now, I don't need to worry anymore. Now I just read. 

I think that's the way I need things to be for now. Because as long as I'm reading, I'm happy. It doesn't really matter what I'm reading so much as I'm making the most of my summer.