NaNoWriMo: I already need a break

NaNoWriMo was off to a great-ish start. 

On November 1st at 12:01am I started writing The Complex--stayed up and wrote until I was too tired to go on. 

As you know, I'm writing a novel called The Complex, about a tough girl who has grown up in a prison/mental institution it is going to be a dystopian novel. 

This story is one I've had floating around my head for awhile now so it had been great starting it and fleshing this world out. 

November 1st was great--everything was flowing and moving and everything seemed to turn out just the way I wanted it to...flash forward to now. Everything is a big horrible disaster. 

I'm being over dramatic, sure; it isn't that bad, fine. 

But the story isn't turning out the way I want it to. It isn't flowing smoothly and that bugs me-a lot.

I'm on par with the suggested word count so everything is okay with that--I'm not behind yet, but it took a lot to force myself to write because so far my writing feels stiff and uneven. This world is a complicated one. 

But there will be days like that I'm afraid. 

It's inevitable. 

I already want a break. 

And another coffee. 

For now, I'll settle for going over to a family friend's house for a 'beading' party and a glass of wine.  

So how about you? How is your novel going?? 

Last but not least I bring to you some pictures and quotes from all over the internet to help you stay inspired. 

Putting Life In Focus

Putting Life In Focus 

I think in life everyone will go through something that challenges them and changes them. It can be failing health or it can be abuse--the death of a loved one or a figurative loss of someone. 

In my life I've both been lucky and unlucky in what I've had to deal with and in what I've had to endure. The same thing could be said about many people; what matters is how you look at it. The thing is, I believe that you can get through something impossible and move from 'surviving' life to 'thriving' in life. 

I believe that no matter who you are, what mistakes you've made, what you've been through, and where you currently are; you can change your life for the better. You can live the life you always envisioned for yourself and be the person you've always wanted to be, as long as you don't give up on yourself. And you commit to goals, and do the work. I believe you can do anything.

Every once in a while I think people forget about this though. I know I do--I get caught in old habits that won't die, because I don't know how to let them go. Sometimes fear runs rampant and war rages inside me. 

The truth is life hasn't always been easy. It never is, and isn't supposed to be, I guess. 

There were times I wasn't always certain I would live to be 20--never mind go to college. I've had many health problems, many family problems...I've survived though. The thing is, now that that time for only 'survival' has passed I have to learn to live again. 

Figuring out how to move on from a place so dark and isolated is hard, but possible. 

I think the trick is finding your passion and going for it--not holding back, throwing caution to the wind as it were. 

You have to believe in yourself and in life. 

The Steps You Need To Take in order to live the life you want are relatively simple I think:

• Figure out WHO you want to be 
• Figure out HOW you can get there
• SET GOALS
• And WORK for them

This is something I think more people should do. I set goals as much as I can--whenever I remember I do this. Life can get crazy and sometimes which is why goals are important.

My Current Monthly Goals 

• Work on combating anxiety and fear 
• Vegetarianism: Enhance overall health, by finding new V-friendly recipes that are inexpensive, healthy and easy to make
• Continue to rewrite and edit my book
• Continue going to the gym--even though surgery is looming overhead and things seem gloomy and it all scares me--I won't let the fear and sadness of another surgery hold me back
• Step out of my comfort zone and do the things that scare me (within reason of course) 

So, to bring this post to a quiet close I would like to know what your monthly goals are? Or what your dreams are? Who do you want to be? 

Post in the comments below or at the very least start thinking about what you want to do and who you want to be. 

Wise words

Wise words from some wise characters

"Indeed, your failure to understand that there are things much worse than death has always been your greatest weakness." -Albus Dumbeldore

"The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by an invader. The mind is a complex and many-layered thing." -Severus Snape

“Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.” ― Veronica Roth, Divergent


"Great actions come from noble thoughts, yes, but true greatness and power come from deep and true emotions, unclouded by doubt or shame" --Kaden (Heirs of a Broken land series, book one, Princess of Light *Marie Bilodeau*)