I didn't expect to make it early.

As of 6:55pm tonight, I have met my Clarion Write-a-Thon goal of 11,000 words in six weeks – or in my case, four weeks.  I owe a big thank you to all my sponsors and pledges.  Your support fueled my drive to write every night and exceed my goals regularly.  Knowing you believed in me and back my desire to support the Clarion Writers' Workshop proved to be a very powerful motivator.

Anyone interested in sponsoring me can do so at my Clarion Write-a-Thon website:  http://clarionwriteathon.org/members/profile.php?writerid=128931.  For anyone interested, you can read the excerpts from the writing I did during the Write-a-Thon by clicking the SHOW/HIDE EXCERPTS button at the bottom of my profile page.  Please keep in mind this was rough draft writing; I haven't edited it.  Forgive all spelling and grammatical errors as well as awkward phrasing.  I will clean it up in the next draft.

If you do not want to sponsor me, please do consider sponsoring the Clarion Write-a-Thon project by donating at the website:  http://clarionwriteathon.org. 

Again, thank you for your time and support.  

I wrote today

Dear Mr. Pressfield:

I have to admit, there was a moment of pride when I clicked on the "I Wrote Today" button on the Clarion Write-a-Thon button on my profile page.  I worry that external validation of writing will ruin this almost zen-like routine I have for writing.  I cannot tell you how long it has taken to shut off my inner editor (who could be heard screaming in the back of my head today) so I can write.  For the life of me, I cannot tell you how I did it either.

Anyway, I am pinning my newly won zen writing routine against the pressures of fund-raising for a cause I believe in.  No pressure.

I'll keep you posted.

Sincerely,
Me

Clarion Write-a-Thon

One day left!  One day until I start the Clarion Write-a-Thon!  You still have time to sponsor me at my profile page:  http://clarionwriteathon.org/members/profile.php?writerid=128931.  To find out more about the Clarion Write-a-Thon, please visit the Clarion Write-a-Thon website at http://clarionwriteathon.org.  You will find links there to the Clarion Writer's Workshop and the talented alumni the workshop has produced.

One more day!  I am so excited and nervous!

Dear Mr. Pressfield:

Look at what I am doing for you:



You're welcome.

Sincerely,
Me

I give up

Dear Mr. Pressfield:

You and other writers who have written writing advice imply a fledgling writer should create a special time to write every day.  It is important to set aside time every day to write.  And while I cannot argue with this logic, I also would like to point out that despite my best efforts, I am unable to appoint time regularly to writing.

Today is the perfect example.  While I had planned to spend most of Saturday afternoon writing, the AC units for my work's server room had a different idea.  During the cold snap, they froze and sent our over-heating servers into safety shutdown.  I spent eight hours at work on Saturday.  Sunday morning, I spent time ironing out any remaining issues left over from the network shut down.

Today, I rose and drank the appropriate amount of caffeine.  I completed the necessary housework.  I found myself in the right frame of mind and started writing.  And the AC unit froze up again.  I spent the afternoon on the phone in my front yard (where the best reception is) organizing a portable AC unit installation, arranging a technician to verify the servers state, and reporting to my superiors.  By the time I returned to my laptop, I was flustered that the time I had cultivated was gone.

I worked anyway - in between, talking to my husband and son, additional texts and emails from work, and laundry.  I have discovered that is the only way to finish this novel - and I want to finish this novel.  While I may always seek the high holy ground of blocks of uninterrupted, perfect writing time, I will write in the trenches around every interruption to finish this damn thing.

I wish someone mentioned that may be an option.  I wish I knew someone published who wrote like this.

Sincerely,

Me