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Reflections on November
Nov. 30th, 2005 03:46 pmI sit here today, both happy and sad that it is the end of November.
To me, the ceremonial end of the month came last night at around 10:00 PM Pacific US Standard Time, when I validated the word count of my novel and was officially proclaimed one of the many "winners" of National Novel Writing Month for 2005.
But the month isn't really over yet, so I felt like this would be a good chance to look back on what I've learned over the last thirty days. Because I know that this month has been the teacher of some very important lessons.
I've learned that sleep, while not necessary, is recommended. On an average day I go to bed around 10:00 PM and wake up at 5:25 AM. This month, I went to bed at about 10:45 on average and woke up consistently at 5:00 in order to get a head start on finishing my quota for each day. School was harder when I had less sleep to go on, but overall I survived.
Which brings me to my next point: I can survive school without paying attention, but it's a lot harder to do. I mean, I managed this month, despite all evidence and parental opinion to the contrary. I wrote a novel, participated as a witness and alternate bailiff for Mock Trial, and still went to two MUN conferences and managed to not die (I hope).
Finally, this has taught me that I have the ability to write and complete a real novel. I think that this has made me so much more confident about my abilities, and I'm grateful for that.
I would write more, but it's been hard even to just write the above because I've been interrupted at least ten times (not kidding). So maybe at a later date when I'm allowed to think in peace, I'll add to these observations. But until then...homework calls.
To me, the ceremonial end of the month came last night at around 10:00 PM Pacific US Standard Time, when I validated the word count of my novel and was officially proclaimed one of the many "winners" of National Novel Writing Month for 2005.
But the month isn't really over yet, so I felt like this would be a good chance to look back on what I've learned over the last thirty days. Because I know that this month has been the teacher of some very important lessons.
I've learned that sleep, while not necessary, is recommended. On an average day I go to bed around 10:00 PM and wake up at 5:25 AM. This month, I went to bed at about 10:45 on average and woke up consistently at 5:00 in order to get a head start on finishing my quota for each day. School was harder when I had less sleep to go on, but overall I survived.
Which brings me to my next point: I can survive school without paying attention, but it's a lot harder to do. I mean, I managed this month, despite all evidence and parental opinion to the contrary. I wrote a novel, participated as a witness and alternate bailiff for Mock Trial, and still went to two MUN conferences and managed to not die (I hope).
Finally, this has taught me that I have the ability to write and complete a real novel. I think that this has made me so much more confident about my abilities, and I'm grateful for that.
I would write more, but it's been hard even to just write the above because I've been interrupted at least ten times (not kidding). So maybe at a later date when I'm allowed to think in peace, I'll add to these observations. But until then...homework calls.
