Well, September wasn’t as productive as I had hoped it would be writing-wise, and I didn’t hit all of my goals.
Here’s where I stand:
- Reach 50k on my first draft (yes, you read that right, I’m crazy)
- Write short story #3
- Write short story #4
- Write short story #5
- Finish the freelance project I’m working on
I did manage to finish a short story and the freelance project, but I didn’t do any of those other things. The other two short stories didn’t even get started, and I only hit 10k on my WIP.
The thing is, as much as I wished I’d gotten more done, I almost feel like it would have been way too much, and I think I even knew that when I wrote the goals. I’ve had major life changes in the past few weeks, and it only makes sense that I needed an adjustment period. I moved to a new town, a new country even. I moved into student accommodation that I’m sharing with new people. I made new friends. And most importantly, I started a new postgraduate course, and it really hit the ground running. I have been very busy with lectures, seminars and reading. I’ve already spent hours in the university library. My first research essay is due at the end of this month.
So, as much as I hate making excuses when I don’t hit my goals, I think it only makes sense that I struggled with the writing pace. Yes, I certainly could have done it, but it was just too much during the settling-in period for me.
But now, I am settled in. I’m starting to feel the rhythm of university life again. Lectures, reading, socializing. I’m ready to get back to drafting my novel now. So, I’m going to make some October goals, and I’m determined to hit them.
- Reach 30k on my first draft
- Write short story #4
That’s it. Totally doable.