So that was interesting.
It turned out that the writer’s meeting I went to yesterday was not exactly the kind where you exchange business cards, more the kind where people show up for the first time saying, „I really want to write this novel but I have no idea where to start.”
Let’s say that I stuck out yet again, and not only beause I was knitting a sock.
On the bright side, I did manage to turn a heel. And I managed to mostly shut up and not talk all the time which is a miracle and most unusual.
People were nice, and the one who organizes these meetings was trying to be helpful for each of us. I am having the impression that the German writing scene might be at the point where the English-speaking one was five years ago but maybe I’m wrong. And I am, of course, writing in the wrong language, not keen on getting an agent or a publisher, and therefore I must appear extremely odd.
But then there was a guy there with two traditionally published books under his belt that are doing pretty well, and he has to work in a day job that he doesn’t like. Funny that. But he is very happy that his publisher is taking care of all the pesky technical stuff and marketing.
Yeah, right.
So I’ll keep writing in isolation, I guess.
It is a bit disheartening because I’ve been looking for like-minded people for a long time now, and I never quite fit in anywhere. It is getting on my nerves at the moment. I am very lucky to at least have my husband.
I did manage to write my 500 words right before going to bed which is good, and then I realized that I do seem to have a certain intrinsically drive what with the blog, and the podcast, and the writing.
I mean, I found myself saying things like, „When I did NaNoWriMo for the first time in 2006 it took me about two hours to write those 1,700 words but now I’m mostly writing 2,000 words an hour.“ And only afterwards did I realize what I just said. It wasn’t even bragging because most of the time I can write 2,300 to 2,500 words per hour. But not all the time.
I had to say something because Mr. Expert at the meeting told the newbies about NaNoWriMo by saying „50,000 words in a month“ which is correct, and then the „roughly 1,700 a day“ which is also correct, and then he continued with, „and for some people it takes up to five hours to write those“. Might be true but I bet there aren’t all that many people who have five hours a day to spare. And as far as I know most people can write at least 500 words and hour if they set their mind to it.
So right now I’m really grateful for the internet, and the fact that I can learn about things from all kinds of sources.
In an attempt to destress my day yesterday I skipped running, and counted the bike ride as my exercise for the day. I’d say that two rides of thirty minutes are alright for that. And they were rather enjoyable. Knitting a hat that I can wear under my bike helmet was one of the best things I did in the last few years.
Today I’m planning on doing a lot of nothing, reading, writing, knitting, crocheting, making music, watching something on TV, sewing, and maybe, just maybe, some strength training.
I’m looking forward to getting a little rest before starting a brand-new week.
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