It has been a little over a week since I started writing furiously on my new novel. Here’s my A Thousand Years – NaNoWriMo update: I’ve written 18,154 words so far. I’m so proud of myself. Why even deny it? I’m excited.

I am working really hard at not doing things I normally do when it comes to writing. The biggest thing that slows me down is that I can’t resist the urge to edit as I go. I will often go back and read my fiction to remember what I’ve written. That inevitably leads to me editing, as I pick at the first draft. Nearly every writer I have ever read says this isn’t such a great idea. And yet I’ve always done it. Doh!

I haven’t done much reading this time. When I did read a couple of days back, I definitely saw the issues. But I let it go. I’m focusing on getting the skeleton of this novel down and reaching at least 50,000 words this month.

With the election this week and watching non-stop news, I fell behind on the momentum I gained early. Mostly because my anxiety over the results kept me . . . uninspired. That said, I did write here or there – just not as much. I’m still doing pretty good though. The NaNoWriMo counter consistently shows I need to write less than my own personal word count goal (which I love).

I hit my word count goal a little before 4:00 PM today and decided to take a break, to work on getting ready for my work week and decorating more of my apartment for Christmas. But a true sign that the words and inspiration are flowing, is the fact that I’m bummed I had to stop (when I reached my word count goal for the day). This is a great feeling. I’m sure my fellow writers understand.

Are you writing? Are you hitting your word count goal? What’s keeping you going these days?