I finished NaNoWriMo! However, I have a confession. I did write the 59,000 words, revised the entire new novel, and sent it to my agent on Sunday night. So, it counts, right? But, I began writing my book on October 15th and finished 25,000 words before November 1st because I really wanted to win and I knew holiday hoopla and my teaching job would get in the way. I feel like a fake. Here's the question: Am I still a NaNoWriMo winner? Or am I turning into one of those annoying athletic has beens who has to win at everything? I felt so guilty on Sunday, I never claimed my prize. :( The amazing Meg Cabot says, "It's a challenge, not a competition." And I promise next year, I will adopt this mantra and refrain from this behavior. :)
Other embarrassing Thanksgiving examples of my compulsive competitive nature:
1. Tumbling over a bush and grass staining my best jeans the day before Thanksgiving to score on a breakaway against my hubby and dad. My eight year old niece and I won the family backyard soccer game by one goal. Girl Power. :)
2. Instead of letting my adorable four-year-old niece win a Memory game on Thanksgiving, I beat her. She accused me of cheating and said I took an extra turn. I definitely won fair and square. :)
I seriously need competition rehab or something. :)
Are you competitive? Do you have to win?
Speaking of winning, thanks Alea! I won her Novel Adventure Giveaway. Check out her site for amazing giveaways and fun posts. :)
Pretty Tough Tuesday: After a short break to write my new novel, I'll be back blogging for Pretty Tough next Tuesday! :)
33 comments:
I'm cracking up over the Memory Game incident! My husband used to let our kids win at everything, but I always thought it prepared them better for life to lose once in a while...
Congrats on the NaNo win - a great accomplishment either way!
It could be that nano no longer serves your needs. I found this year frustrating, although I did my 50K in 30 days, etc., but I didn't enjoy it the way I enjoyed previous years.
I think my normal steady pace works better for me, year-round.
I get competitive in spurts. Most of the time, I don't care enough to be competitive -- there are other things that are more important -- but every once in awhile, the competition will suddenly become THE most important thing in my universe.
Hi, Adrienne! Thanks! Whew.. I was nervous posting about NaNoWriMo and my competitive confessions. :)
Hi, Devon! I love the neighborhood feel of NaNoWriMo. Hearing about other people's experiences. But then, the competition aspect gets in the way. Urgh. I feel for you. :)
LOL about your gaming incident. :) I'm pretty competitive, too.
Hi, Jessica! She's a cutie. :)
YAY! I loved the comment you left as your entry so so funny! And I'm so glad they allowed me to split up the 9 books like that, more winners! :D
Thanks, Alea! It's the truth. She just screamed at me this morning when I was 'attempting' to sing Christmas carols. :)
Haha! I love it! Give her a hug for me! :D
Awe... I will. :)
You definitely still won Nano :)
And I've got the competition bug, too...although I never have beaten a four year old.... :)
I think as long as you're doing what works for you, you're a winner!
I'm so not competitive-- and I haven't had a grass stain in years!
But hey, someone's got to do it-- so go you!!!
i'm not very good at anything competetive because those types of things usually involve physical prowess--of which i have none. :)
Congrats, Keri!! I say you still won, even if you started early. :) Life always gets in the way, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with planning ahead. :) I'd have done something similar if I hadn't decided to participate in Nano at the last minute, because I KNOW my kids will get in the way at some point.
And, really, in the grand scheme of things, does it really matter that you started early? Nope. :)
You did the right thing by putting your neice in her place. Four year olds can't continue to go around thinking they're the best at everything cuz guess what?
They're four.
Us adults are way smarter.
Hi, Beth! I'm sinking to an all-time low. It's time for rehab. :)
Hi, PJ! Thanks! :)
Hi, Alyson! I think I have a Y chromosome hidden somewhere. BTW, Happy Birthday tomorrow!
Hi, Virginia! :)
Hi, Tabitha! Thanks.. I feel better. :)
Hi, Big Plain V! Hilarious! :)
BTW, Big Plain V.. Did you get rid of the hiccups?
Congrats on the Nano win. I think it should definitely count.
I'm not competitive.
starting early just means ur more motivated. like starting a hw assignment early, only writing is usually more pleasant, or we wouldnt be doing it ;-). just tell everyone u started early cuz u were eager to get in2 the story:-P
i hate competitions, because i am competitive, and i really dont want or like to be that way. sometimes i catch myself thinking i wanna beat someone, be better than them or the best, then i think twice and have to ask myself why i care so much. i try to avoid competitions for that reason. but im pretty sure almost everyone likes winning, at least.
Okay, well, perhaps you didn't follow the exact instructions, but you still turned in a pretty impressive performance. Considering how long it takes me to revise anything, the fact that you wrote so many words *and* revised your book is worth way more than just writing a measly old 50,000 words. So there. :-D
I think NaNo is whatever you put into it. If you wanna be super strict on the rules, cool, if not, cool. So it's up to you whether you won or not. Yeah, Pomo!
I am sort of competitive. Mostly I just don't want to look like an idiot when everyone is watching.
Hi, Dru! Thanks. :)
Hi, Beth! I need to learn from your example. :)
Hi, Caryn! Thanks.. :) Revising is the toughest part.
Hi, After the Blackbird Sings! Good points. :)
Letting kids win doesn't teach them anything... I WILL show my DD where she does something unwise in a game, but let her win? No. Way.
Thank you for your concern. I am now, in fact, the picture of diaphragmatic health. My malady stopped just short of forty-eight hours, and I have already decided to use the experience to enrich my fiction.
I'm gonna totally ruin some future character's life by giving him hiccups for three years.
Yeah! Take that! Suffer Mr. Fictional Voodoo doll!
You wrote and revised an AMAZING amount! You're a winner to me! And..I will never play you in Memory. :)
Hi, Marianne! Nobody ever let me win. :)
Hi, Big Plain V! An inspiration. :) Glad you're feeling better.
Hi, Barrie! Thanks. :) LOL
If you wrote 59K words in a month and a half (Oct 15-Nov 30), you rock, girl!
I get competitive, but I'm working on it. I'm not nearly as competitive as I used to be.
I never "let" the kids win at games because they can skunk me all on their own thankyouverymuch.
I did a Fast Draft last year (book in 2 weeks), but I was already at least halfway finished with my novel. Lucky thing too, because that's the only way I would have ever finished. ;)
Still a great accomplishment--congratulations!
Thanks, Amy! I hope this addiction gets better. :)
Hi, Alyssa! Thanks for confessing. It's nice to know I'm in good company.
Oh, you totally won! How in the world do you guys do it? I don't know if I could ever write that fast!
Hi, Melissa! Thanks.. :) I know. The 'real' NaNoWriMo are amazing. :)
Haha! Me, I'm not particularly competitive with games and sports, but I sure was with academic stuff (mostly competing against myself, I think -- just a wee bit of perfectionism happenin' there).
Hi, Shari! Were you the valedictorian? Wish I was more academic competitive.. I lacked in that area. :)
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