When I started this journey 30 days ago, I was four pounds lighter, way less stinky and fully rested. In some ways, NaNoWriMo has been like having another baby. Only without the sore breasts and post-op scars.
Which is pretty cool when you think about it.
I had hit up my beloved friend Lee at Moms Without Blogs for a stolen post today, but in the end, I didn’t need it, because…
Sweet baby Jesus sleeping in the manger, I did it.
I did it.
I did it.
Hooray!
Sorry for channeling Dora, she’s on in the other room.
It’s a big pile of steaming poo, but it’s all mine. Every single syllable.
So what did I learn on this epic journey?
That I have the best husband on the planet, as he gave me a nudge mid-month when the alarm clock was ringing at 5:00 a.m., again, and gently said – “babe, aren’t you going to write today?” That I have the coolest Oldest on the planet, as he grabbed a few pages and wrote his own “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” saga as I typed one afternoon. (His writing is so much better than mine). That I have some of the best real life bloggy friends on the planet – thank you for all the encouragement, the guest posts, the support. I felt it in the wee early hours before daylight when I truly needed it.
The most important thing that I learned? That I have so much more to learn. Writing is a craft, an evolving education that never stops. So for December, I’m putting the steaming pile aside, and will dive into book after book, really paying attention to how to paint a story. That is, in between the time I need to get my halls decked, the presents bought and wrapped, and my fat rear exercising again.
Not to mention rekindling my marital relations.
Sorry babe.
So excuse me as I finally crawl into the shower, right after I do a few situps.
Love to you all – Ash
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Congrats! I knew you would make it even with all the Thankgiving madness. When do I get the advance copy? There isn’t anything in there about a 19 year old sneaking into bars with her older lover and making out in the backseat….
Now, when are we going for drinks?!
Kudos… I missed you Ash. I am glad that you finished the challenge… and i agree with you, writing is an art… have a great week. xoxo
well done, my friend!
This is something I REALLY need to do, to channel my anger/frustration/hurt… I need to really take time for me and write.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Congrats! This is huge! And Dora has it right: You did it
Isn’t there something amazing about setting out to do something, something important, and accomplishing it? Hope the shower was lovely!
This is awesome! I am so proud of you.
Cheers!
Yay you!!!
I couldn’t do it.
You rock.
Yeah you! Incredible!
Please share any good books that you will be reading!
Also, drink lots of water and cranberry juice!
Dear Ash, I found you today from ILS! Congrats on finishing NaNoWriMo! That is awesome. I started but didn’t finish… thats okay, I was just excited to start and loved every minute of it! I look forward to following you!
Yay! And congrats!
Now, when do we get to read it?
Congrats! A tremendous accomplishment. I also feel like I want to read this month before I try to form my own steaming pile of poo into, you know, something not so poo-ish.
Accepting all book recommendations!
Woo Hoo! I get a signed copy, right?
Never doubted for a second that you could do it.
Merry Christmas my dear friend.
Now go play Farmville. (no, she doesn’t play….I do.)
Congratulations! Big, Huge, Congratulations, lovely girl! Oh, you must feel so fierce!
I am so proud! I think, too, December might be a little bit of a break but I’m still going to sneak in as much as I can. January. I will do this. January.
And don’t even talk to me about the writer’s ass. A few years ago, I had the body fat of a 20 year old but I was a gym rat and once I put the novel on the front burner, my ass decided it needed more room to roam.
Go sit up for both of us. Me? I’m having a glass of wine, trying to ease my anxiety over my morning dental surgery, put under and all. Wine take me away.
So, so proud of you. You are just inspiring all the way around. Read Freedom and then, to cleanse the palate, re-read Sedaris.
WOW!! REALLY??!!
SO proud of you!!
Jay
PS – I sat up. It sucked.
Wahoo! You did it!! That is SO awesome. Now go celebrate with a glass of wine, or three…
I cannot even fathom 50,000 words. CONGRATULATIONS! That is truly a massive accomplishment. And you’re married? And a mother? Unbelievable. Your journey has begun.
http://quarryheightsworkshop.blogspot.com/
ps – showers are for the weak.
pps – can I give a plug for my sister’s blog? It’s all about writing.
ppps – congrats again.
Awesome accomplishment. Congratulations! Would love to read an excerpt…
xo
To think I gave birth to such talent – my awesome girl! Hope to receive the first copy of the First Edition – suitably autographed. So proud – I just knew you would complete the task.
Ash, I have a feeling this epic journey will be an epoch for you.
; )
XOXO
Way to go! I can’t even begin to imagine writing that much. Hooray for finishing and hooray for reading. And boo to situps.
She’s out of the cave!
My little ray of sunshine is out of the cave!
You did it!
And you learned a lot. And, now, when you read, you’ll pick up so much more thanjust the story.
I love this.
I’m so excited for you.
No caffeine, all true talk.
ANyway, good to have you back.
But what about your novel? Will we ever see snippets???
Cuz I’m dying here…I’ll bet it kicks ass, too.
Missed you, girl.
Congratulations! What an accomplishment. But welcome back, we’ve missed you! Yes I speak on behalf of the whole internet.
Congratulations!
Congratulations. What a rock star you are! I bet you learned a lot!! Teach me?? :+)
That’s quite an accomplishment, congratulations.
I’ve recently begun in a group called Sketch Austin, rekindling my drawing and it has been the best thing I could have done for myself. Lovely inspiring woman and a great teacher to lead us.
Only flaw with all of it: it all takes discipline and practice, doesn’t it?
Fecidades to you, chica! I did NaBloPoMo, and that almost killed me, so I know how accomplished you must feel. I’ve been getting my batteries recharged…and hope to be hanging around here more often…
You are my idol. SO proud of & inspired by you!!!! Must be such an amazing feeling (I wouldn’t know, obviously)!!!
What’s on your reading list?
xoxoxoxo
I am not kidding when I have thought of you every day since I read this last week and I’ve been meaning to come back here and just soak in your amazing accomplishment!! I clicked on over to the NaNoWriMo to see if I could like download your novel so I could read it and I see that I can not.
I guess I’ll wait until I can buy it.
Ash, I truly can not believe you were able to find the time to make this happen! Your discipline is inspiring. I feel like I’m flying by the seat of my pants most of the time and well, this makes me realize I can maybe, just maybe, create some new habits for myself to help me achieve other things I want to…..
I am so proud of you and I really hope you are basking in the glory of it for a while….
Hope the holidays have been kick-started for you in the right direction after your November triumph!!!
xoxo
Lee
I did it too! 59,472 words so far. Oh. But I started in February. Never mind.
So tell me: is this something you’ll polish? Rewrite? Submit as is? Or is this exercise just something to get the literary bowels moving?
AMAZING! I clicked over from Lee.
I wrote about 25,000 in November and am now up to 55,000 on my MS. I can’t believe you wrote ALL in one month.
The best part of this journey is knowing I CAN. Have vowed to finish the first draft by end of January.
You are so inspiring! Congratulations!!
Holy cow, Ash, that is a lot of words. A seriously impressive amount of words. Your dedication is inspiring.