NaNoWriMo, NaBloPoMo, and... NaExSugAguaMo?

I've never had a drink but I'm telling you, I feel like I have a Halloween Hangover.

I consumed waay too much candy last night, stayed up till 2 AM, fell asleep on the couch in my clothes, and then got up at 5:30 to go run seven miles in Santa Monica/Venice. Indeed, marathon training (and the rest of life) does not stop just because I've ingested copious amounts of Dots, and drunk plenty of 7UP via a Twizzler converted into a straw.

But, now it's November 1st, meaning it's time to embark on some new, saintly and slightly insane endeavors.

First, I'm once more going to participate in National Blog Posting Month, or NaBloPoMo as it's affectionately known. All that means is that I'll be posting on my blog every single day for the month of November. It was pretty fun last year and I hereby solemnly swear to try not to bore you with any posts that say, "I'm only posting this because it's NaBloPoMo. Otherwise, I'd be sleeping."

Because I believe in writing masochism I'm also once again trying my hand at National Novel Writing Month. (That's NaNoWriMo for the uninitiated.) All I have to do is write 50,000 words by the end of the month and I'm a NaNoWriMo winner! Last year I got to a little over 37,000 words, and was totally depressed that I didn't finish... and then I went and cried and banged my head against the wall. We don't want that to happen again, do we? I mean, I know I have a nice afro to cushion the blows but, well, what's the point in risking it? I am finishing no matter what.

Seriously though, a big lesson learned is that my story doesn't have to make 100% sense since it's a first draft... and this story? I'm really excited because this is something I've needed to write about for years. A dear friend of mine has really encouraged me and so I'm finally putting aside my "What will people think?" worries and just going for it. At the very least, writing this story will be good therapy for me.

Because all of this requires a LOT of sitting and typing/writing, I also threw in exercising every day as a third component. Well, this year, I'm already doing the exercise every day thing. SO, starting Monday, I'm joining up with awesome blogger/Facebook pal, Tami, and going on a hardcore healthkick that includes giving up eating sugar, exercising every single day and drinking 1 1/2 gallons of water every single day... at least till Thanksgiving!

I'm calling it... NaSugAguaMo? NaExerSugarAguaMo? Gosh, I feel like I need the Periodic Table of the Elements to come up with a decent name.

Yeah, who knows what I'm calling it. All I know is that I'm gonna sip some more soda through my Twizzler straw while it's still allowed!

Hmm... will giving up Twizzlers and Coke Zero be more difficult than writing 50,000 words of a novel and blogging every day? I guess we'll find out, won't we?

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hey, I'm the early bird again - must be coz you lot are still fast asleep. I'm good at writing short pieces but a novel, no way. I tried once, reached about 30,000 words and then total writer's block stopped me dead.

Anyway, good luck with your second try, Liz, and as you say it doesn't have to make 100% sense, you can always tweak it later.
Sundry said…
Glad to hear you're NaNo-ing. I did it a couple of years ago and won with more than 57,000 words. The really big win was setting up my habit of writing in diners before work. It was the only hour I could add to my life.

I was thinking about doing it this year, but...November? Why November? It's such a busy month! I'm traveling for a week, and we have family visiting the week of Thanksgiving. Sigh.

Best of luck with both November ventures. You're gonna do it!
Jennifer said…
I'm excited to read your blog entries every day during November! And congratulations on doing both the blog and the novel -- you are amazing!
Miriam said…
How do you keep up with these things?!
Anonymous said…
You can so do this thing! I am behind you 100% - go go go go go !!
April said…
I bow to your noble endeavors. And I'm cheering you on 100%!
Liz Dwyer said…
Nick,
You're the first commenter because you're awesome. Besides, you're seven or eight hours ahead of me here in LA, right? Your 30,000 words is great. You should keep going. I'll bet you could write a fabulous novel.

Sundry,
I love how you write in diners before work. I'd be so distracted though... so much good people watching. November IS very busy. Last year I got the flu and then partied too hard over Thanksgiving, I got a flu shot already though so that takes care of one out of two!

Jennifer,
I feel a little less than amazing because I got up at 4:30 AM, but I am very excited to write my blog entries and keep at the novel. I'm starting to miss my Coke Zero though. I may drink like five cans tonight since that's it till Thanksgiving!

Miriam,
I don't know. Lack of sleep?

Claudia,
I'm going to set your comment to a tech house beat and make an awesome song out of it called, "Go!"

April,
Thanks for the cheering! I need all the cheering I can get!
Toni Campbell said…
i may have to join you on the sugar thing. but i am so addicted to it, i may have to call dr. drew to help me out! (she says as she eats a piece of chocolate cake)
Liz Dwyer said…
Toni,
Seriously! Can Dr. Drew come over and take me to his spot in Pasadena? I may need a little assistance! :)
Wow writing daily is such a good idea. I've been having vivid dreams lately of a story so I have to dictate it and transcribe later.
Jameil said…
oops. i've missed the no sugar thing (krispy kreme had the hot light on last night) but i've been thinking i need to change my diet something serious anyway. can't wait! i'm partly on board!

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