Moving from Writer to Mentor During Nanowrimo

                Nanowrimo is grueling. I will be the first to admit this. This is my first time winning in 8 tries. As soon as I have won I have morphed into mentor role because I need to see more people win. I have shared participants my tips and stories of my overcoming writer’s block (It’s real that the first 43,000 words were easy but I get writer’s block with 7200 words to go. I have managed to snap out of it by writing 8900 words in 2 days winning Nanowrimo with 51,630 words.). Mentoring comes easy for me because I love to communicate with people and exchange ideas. It is the 29^th and there are still people winning the competition, and people who need encouragement to cross the finish line. 

Nanowrimo Badges

Winning Nanowrimo and Its Meaning to Me

I have won Nanowrimo after 8 years. I’ve won because I have an outline, a theme, encouragement and determination. I’d be the first to admit that it has been hard. There have been 4 days that I’ve stopped because my brain swirls with all of these ideas. My brain need a break. In the past 2 days, I’ve typed over 8900 words to win. After turning the corner on 40,000 words with 8 days to go, I was determined to win. Before this year, 38,000 was my personal best. Now I will revise my book and prepare for the manuscript editing this December.

Nano Epiphany and Other Things

                I know that I have been busy with Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) so I haven’t been writing on Blogger much. Today I have to take a mental break (I am currently at 17,676 words and 20,000 is my next goal). I am ahead 3 days so I deserve the rest. Also I have had a great epiphany. While perusing the #Nanowrimo hashtag yesterday, I came across some woman who wasn’t participating in this year’s competition because it coincided with her doctoral thesis. We tweeted each other and I learned that writing a 50,000-word novel was similar to writing a doctoral dissertation. The lightbulb went off immediately.

                I admit that I have been toying around with returning to school for my doctoral degree but I am conflicted about which major I should pursue.  I know that economics is the most math intensive out of statistics and business administration, but it is very hard. Personally, I don’t want to be seen as a math slacker. I am leaning towards taking statistics because it is out of 100 and I can still hold tight to my NASA Astronaut dreams. To become a NASA Astronaut, I need to have a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degree. Statistics will qualify me for this. Furthermore, becoming an astronaut satisfies my inner Trekker. My mother has hooked me on the original Star Trek with William Shatner while growing up in Cleveland. I always want to be in something science-related. Therefore, earning a statistics degree puts me front and center. Although I have some incomplete education elsewhere, I still believe that with adequate preparation and discipline that I can accomplish my stats goal (It would be great to write about my statistical analysis too!).

Almost Done

                Earlier this morning I’ve decided to start working on outlining my requirements management book instead of working on my Nanowrimo because I’ve haven’t focused on my PMI-PBA certification in one week. That’s too long. I have managed to finish outlining chapter 7 along with chapters 8 through 10. I have learned new business analysis terminology and the significant amount of overlap between business analysis and project management. I will finish chapter 11 later today and the appendix containing sample plans over this weekend. It’s great to feel like I’m seeing the finish line within sight. This bolsters my motivation to keep persevering until I finish outlining the book and passing the PMI-PBA certification.

Two-Thirds of the Way Done

            It is amazing that today is September 1^st and 2/3 of this year is done.  I am proud to accomplish a lot this year (promotion, move, PMP certification) because most people only do one or two of these things. I’ve managed to do all three but I am officially in grind mode after realizing that there are only four more months left.  I will earn my PMI-ACP certification, rededicate myself to fashion and creating my line, win Nanowrimo in November and keep saving for a house.  I know that by December 31^st, I will possess two project management certifications, know how to make a fashion pattern, sewn four clothes for my line, save over $3000 towards my house and have fun doing it.

18th Day of Nanowrimo

Today is the 18th day of the National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo for short). I have been extremely busy surpassing over 22,000 words. I still have 20 untyped pages outstanding and more than another 20 pages that I haven’t fleshed out using an outline. In addition, the system still hasn’t been working since November 1st and I have been reduced to typing and submitting my entire manuscript instead of pasting it. I refuse to let this get in the way of winning this year because my manuscript is very inspiring and has helped stimulate my thinking. Tomorrow before waiting for my groceries, I will pick up my outline. This will enable me to get started on writing 1,667 words daily. I know that my outline will exceed 1,667 words. Personally, I think that it’ll exceed 3,000 words. In addition, I will rest then return to Panera Bread to focus on writing more. I do feel that I will be very successful Saturday.