A report on Camp NANOWRIMO

As I announced a few weeks ago, I participated in this year's Camp Nano. As always, April is more productive for me than November. I accept that this is my style.

My goal was to reach 100k in a month, or 2/3s of the draft I have planned for this MS.

Here's a screenshot of my month's progress:



As you can see, I still technically have 3 days in which to sprint ahead and reach the full 100k. However, I've encountered some questions in regards to my outline and need to spend some time answering them before I can push onward. These questions are monumental enough that writing through without answering them might require me to trash an entire section of the book which would be a waste of everyone's time.

So I'm stopping now, at 88643 words. I'm crazy proud of myself. This was a huge project to attempt in a short period of time and let me tell you a few things I've learned this month:

1. Outlines. I'm totally converted to a full and detailed outline. They rock, and make the creative process so much smoother.
2. I can take a couple of days off to think and regroup, even in the middle of a huge push. Instead of halting my progress, the time is super effective to help me recharge and get through massive amounts of good work. In the 28 days I participated this month, I took 11 off. Chew on that for a moment, would you? In other words, pondering is good stuff. So is taking care of your physical and mental health.
3. Physical and mental health can throw curve balls but will power conquers all.
4. My husband is the greatest. 
5. So are my parents.

I'm VERY proud of the writing I've done this month, and while much of it is...well, first drafts aren't clean. But still, I have high hopes for this project. It's really coming along well.

Now I'm off to work out those outlining questions I have...