Where do I go from here?

Confession: as I was trying to think of a title for this post, the song “Where Do I Go From Here?” from Pocahontas II totally played through my head, so I used it for my title. Even though it would be probably more accurate to say “Where the road leads next” or something like that.

With the conclusion of my writing course also came the conclusion of ready-made blog posts relating to writing. Now I have to write, then write about writing, instead of just writing about learning about writing. It takes a lot more self-discipline, but with all the ideas bouncing around in my head and scribbled in my notebooks (and halfway begun on my computer) it shouldn’t be too hard to accomplish the writing part, maybe just the writing about writing, since I’m not always good with sharing.

But, when I sat down the other day to begin, thinking I’d finish the project nearest to completion, it hit me how little I’ve looked at other projects. I thought I was finishing my 2015 NaNoWriMo novel. I had about 2,000 words to wrap it up (luckily I remembered how I’d always intended to finish, so it didn’t take me too long). But when I went to write it, I realized it was, in fact, my 2014 NaNoWriMo novel that I’d never finished. I guess I just kind of forgot about the time-traveler who came between outer space and the present…

I feel bad for my neglected characters, and for the ending I’ve now tacked on, having momentarily forgotten who I’d let live and where I’d left them. They are happily together, but I know that when, someday, I get around to editing, that ending will stick out like a sore thumb. But, at least I’ll edit remembering who is dead and who isn’t.

But, it also makes me feel slightly guilty toward my other characters in other projects who have long been neglected. I have two partial stories that I haven’t touched in three years. It’s sad.

So, in the two months I have left before November, in addition to NaNo planning (of which I guess you’d say now I’m a firm believer in), I’m going to reread those stories, so I know where I stopped, and with any luck, get some progress made. I may not be able to complete both of them (especially since the one was barely started) but perhaps I can at least flesh out my thoughts and direction for those as well. I think, the more I plan for my writing, the easier it will be to write, to make time each day to write, even just one scene or a bit of dialogue. And if I know where I’m going, I’ll spend less time trying to decide where to go, and the easier the words and ideas flow, the more enjoyable the writing process really is.

So, that is where life finds me now; one old project down, two more to go (well, a lot more than that, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves). It’s time to see what I can accomplish with a little bit of determination and some concentration.