You'll never know if you don't ever try again

[nf793]

Another week checked off for the year. We're two weeks in already! Part of me can't believe it's already been 12 days, and the other party feels like New Years was forever ago. As the days go by, the weight of last year is slowly being lifted. The end of December was particularly difficult, but every day is one step closer to recovering and moving

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[nf793]

Growing up, my brothers (both older than me) would do the same thing. It made me grow into a very aranoid person, to where when I was living in a dorm at school I had anxiety attacks almost daily when I knew my roommate was in my room and I wasn't there. When I moved to the apartments at school I kept all of my stuff in a locked trunk under my bed... I got a lock for my closet since moving back, and keep most of my stuff locked in my trunks. It's pretty bad. I do wonder if I would still be this paranoid if they had actually respected my stuff when I was growing up.

It's been fun getting back into Habitica! I left the first time just after they changed the name. I keep widgets on my phone's main screen to remind me to use the app, haha.

For most of the year I try to write in the evening once a week or so. I have a playlist of songs that remind me of the stories I have, and that make me want to write. I also keep my notes in a large binder that stays next to my desk, so I see it regularly and it gets me thinking about my stories. On top of that, I have a small notebook that stays with me at all times. Not only is it always good to have pen and paper on hand, but if you have ideas while out and about you can quickly write them down so you don't forget. As for resources, I have tons! Personally, I prefer books on the subject (Like The Writer's Journey and The Elements of Style), since reading in and of itself helps you improve your writing. My favorite overall resource is a writing challenge called NaNoWriMo. Every year in November the challenge is to write 50k words of your own story over the course of the month. They have a pretty huge support network, and if you're in a city chances are good that there will be some in-person write ins where you can chat with other people doing the challenge and get tips, feedback, etc. I run a MD-based NaNo Discord server, where once a month I host a discussion on an aspect of writing, and I share a whole bunch of resources and exercises for everyone. Our topic this month is going to be Character Creation, and the event is this Saturday. You're welcome to join if you're interested! We have plenty of people from outside the state, and I'm happy to send you an invite link :) It can be a bit quiet during the year, but Oct and Nov it gets rather active.

[nicoleonfire]

I had to put a key lock on my bedroom door when I went to college because the first time I came home for a weekend my room was a mess, clothes and books were missing and carelessly strewn about, etc. I appreciate knowing someone who has experienced something similar, because my friends have always thought it was absurd.

I have a giant binder too, but I definitely should get something smaller I can carry around. I'll definitely check out those books when I have a chance. I've heard of NaNoWriMo but I've never done it. I don't know how people do it while still trying to be normal people and do normal things like go to work every day.

I'm sorry I didn't get back to you on time about the last Discord discussion, but I'll try and join in in the future if I can! I usually work on Saturdays, but I'm definitely interested. :)

[nf793]

I can't lie, some days it's tough to juggle NaNo with life, but if you try to write a little extra whenever you have spare time, you can go full days without writing and still stay on target. Just takes some planning before November hits. Also helps if you warn family and friends you're going to be doing something crazy for the whole month and might not be able to socialize as often, haha. For this past November, I wrote for maybe an hour and a half every weekday, and tried to spend a couple hours on Saturdays writing to get ahead. Some people who have busier lifestyles choose to go for different goals, like writing an hour a day, or 1k words a day, or even editing old work instead of writing. The challenge is mostly just meant to get you creating and inspired for the month. They do 2 Camp NaNos every year, too, in April and July. You set your own writing goals for those. You should consider trying one out to get a feel for it!

No worries :) The Discord is pretty quiet outside of NaNo season, but we had a couple people attend the discussion and some regulars who chat periodically. I also leave the discussion event channels up with a full PDF of all of the resources I gathered and shared, so everyone can go back and get everything if they couldn't make it. If you're interested, you're welcome to join! https://discord.gg/JTWu2WH <- That should take you to the welcome channel. If it doesn't work, let me know and I'll get you a different link :)