On NaNoWriMo and Other Ambitious Projects

I'm having this huge life struggle lately. It has a lot to do with being brave and setting big goals that are more fulfilling than having all my copies made and my dishes done. The problem I'm facing is that I have no time whatsoever to hope to do those things. In fact, the copies and dishes are seldom up to date. Teaching is a great privilege and responsibility, but also kind of a time suck. 

Last year, some friends/colleagues convinced me to participate in NaNoWriMo a.k.a. National Novel Writing Month. The goal is simple: during the month of November, write a 50,000 word novel.

I did start a novel last year. Current word count: 2,713. So... not great. 

BUT.

But.

But, I want to try again. Not just to complete the NaNoWriMo goal, which seems pretty unrealistic since I'm working like 12-14 hours a day right now. (For the children, people, for the children.) I want to really start writing. That's why I'm cheating at NaNoWriMo this year.

My goal is to take the manuscript that I have (one might also say the several paragraphs I have written) and add to it. My goal is to have 10,000 words by the end of November. That's really not such a huge goal, but, the real goal is. I want to write. And I'm going to do it. I'm going to put down the red pen, close the Pinterest tab, and let the dishes sit. It might take me years and years and years at this rate, but I am going to write a novel. 

And it might suck. But at least I'll know that I can do it. So then, I'll write a better one.