7 days to go.  I'm getting nervous, but the kind of nervous that is positive, like those old first day of school jitters.  I've never written a novel before, let alone one in 30 days.  I have been working on my first novel for over three years now, and I feel this experience will really teach me more about what it takes to write - and finish - a novel, and most of all give me the self confidence needed to finish that first one I started.  Because my characters talk to me daily and haunt me - I know they have a story to tell.

Yesterday I roughed out an outline with plot and pivot points.  I'm usually not an outline gal, but I think having a roadmap of where I need to go will be especially helpful when I am facing the blank page.  I'm wondering now if I need to beef up the plot at all, or just let it happen organically. 

I think my biggest challenge will be still spending quality time - and taking care of - our three-month old while still producing work, and enough words to meet the 50,000 word goal.  Instead of 1667 words daily I'll need to write 1725, since I am taking Thanksgiving Day off.  I've broken my daily wordcount of 1725 into three daily sessions of 575 words, which I think is do-able.  I know that some days I'll produce more than others, and some less, but I am going to try to meet my goals to produce less stress and tension.  I've also given myself weekly "rewards" for meeting my goals.

The first week I can reward myself with a Maple Macciato from Starbucks, the second week with a NaNo mug, the third week with a cute thermos from Starbucks (I love and have a worrysome fetish for thermoses), and the finish I get to purchase these wonderful earrings that have Countess Olenska from The Age of Innocence on them. 

I think the hardest thing for me will be lack of sleep - those commercials for Lunesta really make me tired!  Also, turning off the t.v. will be key.

I'll write about my progress, challenges and triumphs.  You can track my progress starting November 1st at the link below:

 ~ Kathy