Trying to write 50,000 words in a month felt like holding my breath under water – everything else was suspended while I worked on writing. I basically ate, slept, went to work and wrote. I cut out television, most socializing and practically all other stuff that invades my day. Trying to keep the house clean, pay attention to twitter or running errands all those distractions went on the back burner. (Facebook was a must, though – because interacting with the NaNo Indy group was a lifeline to keep me going.)
It worked, largely because I removed a lot of barriers to focusing and getting in the zone to writing, and the forced deadline can work wonders.
Is that sustainable, though? Can I really zone out my friends, turn off the television and blow off the house all the time?
I wish there were a better way to balance. Because not writing is not an option, now.
Cutting out the television is pretty easy. Helping around the house, running errands and socializing are more difficult. I’m considering whether twitter really has much of a place in my life anymore.
I need to simplify things so I can both write and interact with my spouse and go to my job without becoming an ascetic.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated on this matter.