Ack! I’ve let the ‘dark side’ win this week.
I officially have word count envy.
My creative writing has taken a back seat since the end of Summer Breeze, when I unceremoniously ditched my book idea. Since then, I’ve been studying and the coursework is taking up all of my free time.
Technically, I’ve written many, many words since I started the course - probably close to 15,000 - but it’s not the same, and so I’m currently suffering severe word count FOMO.
All those ninja writers powering through NaNoWriMo are making me want to cry. Every time I hop on Threads someone else is announcing their latest word count. And of course, Substack is rammed with writers doing amazing things. I’m simultaneously coveting, yearning and hankering.
Gah, I hate myself!
I know it’s a bad look. The thing is, I thought I would have made more progress this year but didn’t anticipate back in January that I’d sign up to study in July.
I absolutely love the course but I’ll be honest, Marks Vadar is having frequent conversations with Lisa Skywalker. (I also really love Star Wars).
Lisa Skywalker: Stop glowering, Vadar. Being envious of others for their word count is counterproductive. Every writer's process is unique and every writer has their own rhythm.
Marks Vadar: Yeah but they’re making progress while you’re throwing your energy into something that will never be seen on the shelves at Waterstones.
Lisa Skywalker: Ouch. Okay but it’ll probably change my life you…you… helmet-wearing helmet.
Marks Vadar: Touch a nerve, I did?
Lisa Skywalker: Stop trying to sound like Yoda. Look, we all walk to the beat of our own drum. Sometimes life gets in the way so stick that in your warp drive and shove it up your parsecs.
Marks Vadar: It’s physically impossible to stick anything in a warp drive and shove it up a parsec but Lisa - and let me breathe heavily while I say this - it is your destiny to never get that book written.
Lisa Skywalker: I’ll never join you in thinking that way, never!
Marks Vadar: You might as well throw down your pen and call yourself Palpatine.
Lisa Skywalker: You don’t know what you’re talking/breathing heavily about. I’m only human. I can only do so many things at one time. Come January, I’ll be back on the writing horse.
Marks Vadar: That’s pony. Search your heart for what you know to be true. *dramatic pause* You’re a slacker who will never fulfil your promise.
Lisa Skywalker: Oh shut up, old man. This conversation is over. I’m now going to jump off this super high weird space balcony in the hope that Carrie Fisher will catch me.
(Reader, they do).
Well, I hope you enjoyed that glimpse into my brain this week.
Obviously, I’m delighted for every writer who has the tenacity to get from Chapter 1 to The End. I know I’ll be joining you soon enough.
In the meantime, I shall continue to fight the dark side, focus on my coursework and - SPOILER ALERT - edit the INSIDERS interview I’ll be posting here on Sunday.
Have a great week everyone.
See you in six parsecs. Sorry, days...
Lisa
In the words of Penny Mourdant, stand up and fight x