The hardest part about my new writing project has been resisting the urge to go back to the beginning and reread what I’ve written. Usually, if I get stuck while writing, I like to go back and read what I wrote the day before. Often, I’ll even go back to the very beginning and start doing some light editing. I’ll reread the entire thing all the way through. This is usually how I create outlines so I can keep up with what is happening in each chapter.

Sometimes, for clarity in the story, I do need to search out something that a character might have done or said several chapters back so that it doesn’t contradict something I’m writing later. But… I’ve thrown all that out the window for this project.

If you subscribe to my blog, then you might have already read my two previous posts about the current project. I’m attempting to write a first draft of an 80,000 word novel in 80 days. That’s averaging just 1K in words a day. And to date, I’m averaging a little over that because I’m currently 5 days ahead of my goal.

To keep the momentum going, I’m resisting that urge to look back. I haven’t gone back and read any of the previous days’ work. Sometimes, when I sit down to start, I will reread the current chapter I’m working on. But that’s it. And that’s not to edit, but more to get a feel of what’s currently happening or what I wrote the day before. As for clarity? Screw it. I’ll fix all of that in future drafts. It’s full speed ahead for now!

This is actually good advice for anyone participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which takes place every November. Writers set a goal to write just 50,000 words in one month. There are groups that meet in person to have writing sessions. There are online counter tools and hashtags and it’s a huge event that writers have fun with and rally around.

I attempted it once. Just once. And I gave up. That was many many years ago. But I salute anyone who participates and would encourage others to go for it. But for now… Here I am in the throes of summer attempting to pound out 80,000 words in almost 3 months. And I’m doing it! How? By not looking back and worrying about what I wrote yesterday or the day before or last week. If I choose to publish this work, there will be plenty of time for edits!

For now? I’m writing. And I’m not looking back.