Last month’s Camp NaNoWriMo final word count was 35,468 (15,468 over my goal of 20,000 words). Most of that was first draft; 5,474 were rewrites (three rounds) to get the first part of the first scene of the first chapter to a fit state to post for a top tier patron reward.
I’m very happy with that word count. But…
Now I’m paying for the ‘bum on seat’ time. I lose track when I’m in full-on writing zone mode. Words happen. Ideas come. But I forget to get up, take a break, and (most importantly) move. It’s not just a matter of getting in excercise. Movement is crucial to help reduce my fibromyalgia symptoms. This week I’ve been battling extreme lower back and leg pain. It’s crippling – to the point where my Dearheart had to take a carer’s day as I needed help sitting and standing. Sitting, standing, walking, lying down: all are agonisingly painful. And the pain meds hardly scratch the surface.
I’ve had two rounds of physio this week. I can move by myself now (mostly).
So, this week I’m forced to relax (ha!), ease back into movement. No writing (OK, just this quick post. I promise) so the muscles can recover. Then it’s back to the first draft (with many, many more breaks.)
(Patreon supporters received a ‘sneak peek’ of this blog post first.)