"I believe that the so-called writing block is a product of some kind of disproportion between your standards and your performance...It doesn't make any difference if you are good or bad today. The assessment of the product is something that happens after you've done it."

– William Stafford

It's not that I have writer's block, per se; I just don't have time to write anything more than what's required of me for class. At least not in November, when NaNoWriMo starts up.

For one thing, I haven't had time to come up with a novel idea. I've had a few sparks but nothing that I could write 50,000 words on. If I'm going to participate in NaNoWriMo, I want to get some significant work done on a novel. So, I'm going to have to pass on it this year; maybe next summer I'll come up with a project to do next November.

As of now, I'm taking two classes, doing work study in O.T.S. at U.B., doing layout for the school paper (for which I get paid a very small stipend), and now (hopefully) working part-time at another place. I need the money, so I'm hoping that, when I get the call sometime this week, it's good news. The woman I interviewed with seemed very optimistic that she'll hire me. She was impressed with my résumé and fascinated by the story of how I came to be in a creative writing program. If things go well, I might actually have some spending money this holiday season – and subsequently, for that matter.

Having two part-time jobs, and one volunteer/stipend job that I'm using solely for publishing experience for my résumé, is far from ideal. I'd much rather have a full-time job but, as Samantha wrote recently, can't seem to find anything in (or close to) Baltimore.

I'll stick with this for a while, but sooner or later, I'll have to go back to the drawing board and find myself a career job.

“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.”

– Albert Einstein

I signed up with the website last year, and this year, I had every intention of participating in NaNoWriMo for real. But I don't know if I'll have the time and stamina to do it, and it's not just because of the standard "I don't know if I can write 50,000 words in 30 days" issue.

You see, I tend to get caught up in my TV shows and my computer, and before I know it, the day is over; I have no time left. I can get my homework done and get through work, but at the end of the day, I just want to relax with my computer and TV. As a TV and computer/Internet enthusiast and hopeful TV writer, it's thrilling when I can manage to watch/do it all; but as a writer of traditional stories, who should really be reading and writing literature more than I do, I hate it. I hate my obsession with and reliance on technology. In that sense, I guess it's kind of ironic that NaNoWriMo is online.

I'm still trying to come up with a story idea that I like, a roadmap for a novel. I have an idea or two that may work, but I need to set aside some time to think about them more. I've already finished reading one of my class textbooks ahead of schedule, so I'd like to finish the other one in the next few days; that means I'll have a few extra hours in the next week or two to think about NaNo. There's one story concept in particular that I love, but I don't know if it's sustainable in a 50,000-word novel. It might be better as a short. I guess I'll just have to try it and see.

Is anyone else going to try NaNo this year? Do you already have your idea ready? It's difficult because you are supposed to write something entirely new, something you haven't worked on previously (though you can have a plan and maybe a few lines that you want to use). The point is that you have to plan it specifically for NaNo. So, what are your hangups? What do you find most challenging about NaNo? I know Jessica has done it before. Any insights, Jessica?