I’m pleased to report that the words came so much easier today than yesterday. So. Much. Easier. Yesterday was horrible, today was good. I caused some mayhem today for Rowen, and a little confusion for Shai. I didn’t get quite as many words as I had planned but more than yesterday, so I’m satisfied.

Today’s Word Count: 7,557
Total Word Count: 35,160
Words Remaining: 64,480

(Yeah, I know it’s a little after midnight on day nine. Don’t ask.) So, today was not a good writing day. I got my word count, but it literally took me all day long. I had the attention span of a gnat today. I’d be writing along, then suddenly I’d find myself staring at random objects. (“Oh! Pretty light!” Focus on the writing. Focus.) I certainly hope tomorrow goes better.

Today’s Word Count: 5,012
Total Word Count: 27,603
Words Remaining: 72,397

So, today I decided I’d try to get in some extra words, in case I needed the padding next week. That so didn’t happen. I barely squeezed out the words I did get, and it was like pulling teeth. But I made it through the first week of NaNo, I met my word count goal for the week, and I wrote every day. That’s more than I can say for last year!

Today’s Word Count: 1,520
Total Word Count: 22,591
Words Remaining: 77,409

Again, a surprisingly good day. Even after another not-so-fun day at work, I still managed to get my word count for the day. I had planned to write around 2k, using the extra 500 words I banked yesterday to average out my word count. But the words flowed well, and I got all the words I needed.

Today’s Word Count: 2,639
Total Word Count: 21,071
Words Remaining: 78,929

Today was a good writing day! And I have to say, I’m a little surprised I still had brain power left after a numbing eight-hour day of “orientation” for the new day job. I can only watch so many videos on fire safety and proper lifting techniques before I completely zone out and start counting ceiling tiles. But Shai and Wilkie came through loud and clear tonight. I got my word count, and a few extra I can bank for tomorrow, if necessary.

Today’s Word Count: 3,026
Total Word Count: 18,432
Words Remaining: 81,568

I’m finished early today, since I have to work late tonight and get up pretty early tomorrow morning. This chapter flowed well. I discovered just how laid-back Rowen really is. I guess if you have centuries to deal with it, you can get pretty used to people ranting and raving at you without getting angry.

Today’s Word Count: 2,261
Total Word Count: 15,406
Words Left to Reach Goal: 84,594

Yay! I made it through my first working day of NaNo. I split my writing up into two sessions today, and even went over by about 500 words (which I’m banking for tomorrow). It’s still flowing pretty well, and I’m excited about how it’s coming along.

Today’s Word Count: 3,013
Total Word Count: 13,145
Words Left: 86,855

As day two of NaNo comes to an end, I have to say I’m proud of myself. I think I fell behind my goal this early last year–sad, I know– but I managed to stay on track today. I wrote 4,647 words today, for a total of 10,132. I’m ten percent of the way there! Only 89,868 words to go.

It flowed a little better today, about an eight I’d say (on a scale of ten). Two scenes I didn’t expect ended up on the screen. One of them was an interesting little interaction between Rowen and two teenage kids admiring his motorcycle. I learned a little bit about Rowen’s past (and Ash’s) that I hadn’t known before. The second scene was an unplanned sex scene that I ran into head-on. Don’t get me wrong, I knew it was going to happen, I just thought there would be a brief flirtation with it, then most of it would take place off-stage. Uh, not so much. Fontaine and Liliana apparently have minds of their own.

So, it’s the end of the first day of NaNo 2008. I feel I’m off to a good start, with 5,485 words down, and only 94,515 to go. Yes, you read that right. I’m trying to hit 100k for NaNo this year. Actually, that was my goal last year, but I failed miserably and only wrote about 60k. I know, I still won NaNo, but I didn’t hit my personal goal, so that was disappointing. But I got over it. And I decided to shoot for the same goal this year. I think I’m doing tolerably well so far. I got about 2.8k for the midnight start, then passed out for a few hours, got up, and wrote again. I even managed a little over 400 words tonight while watching The Legend of the Seeker premiere. Did anyone watch that? And if so, what did you think? I love the Sword of Truth books, and I think the show was pretty good. Of course they had to change some things around, which always bothers me, even though I understand why they had to. Richard seemed so young, too. I’ll definitely be tuning in next week.

Okay, I’m back from that little tangent. Tempest of Angels is going well so far. I haven’t quite gotten into the flow yet, but that’s to be expected (for me). Plus, this is in third person, and I have been writing first person lately. That’s another switch. But I’m enjoying it.

How did everyone else do on their first day?

I wonder just how many writers are getting reading to start NaNoing right now? I am, I confess. I like the adrenaline and excitement of starting at midnight. Might be silly, but it’s the truth. My outline is done. I’ve re-read my notes to refresh my memory. Now I just have to wait for the clock to tick over….And stare impatiently at the clock.