Not-So-Lofty Goals

Quick update on my writing this month.  I am closing in on 10,000 words, which puts me right on track for my 2,000 words/day goal.  The problem is, I am running out of inspiration.  At first, I had clear goals what I was going to write.  Goals that I have already accomplished.  So apparently, I need loftier goals.

Which is why I am writing a blog post; I simply don't know what else to write.  But just so you know, each word in this post most definitely counts toward NaNoWriMo totals.

While my muse is on vacation, I do have some semi-helpful writing tips to share:

• Set aside time.  I do one hour before the kids wake up and one hour after they go to bed each day.  Come to find out, this is not the worst thing in the world, and is a schedule I can conceivably continue even after November; as long as the coffee holds out and the baby doesn't develop some awful form of insomnia.
•  Turn stuff off.  This includes your Twitter screen, Facebook account, e-mails, etc.  One quick glance leads to several minutes, and possibly hours, of distraction.
• Check in with friends right before you start writing for the day.  Look at their word count totals, let your competitive side take over – and totally leave them in the dust!  Feel free to add me as a writing buddy (I am Terra Harmony) on the NaNoWriMo website so I can totally leave you in the dust.
• Use non-writing time to do your thinking and planning.  While you are in the shower you can come up with a name for that new character you just introduced.  When you are driving to work, think of your next plot twist.  If you get stuck while writing, use XXX. This does not mean 'insert extremely vulgar porn here'.  It is a method I use to bookmark places I need to revisit to fill in the blanks.

 That is really all the advice I have.  This is my first year and I'm still trying to figure out what works.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a muse to hunt down, hog-tie and strap to my desk, feeding her just enough water to survive but keeping her weak enough to never escape again.  Oh – just thought of a new scene…