How NaNoWriMo Writers are as Cute as Kittens

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts, hosted by Bookishly Boisterous, is a chance for book bloggers to dabble in areas besides books (but those are welcome too). This month I plan on talking about my month of NaNoWriMo or what it’s like to write a book in 30 days.

Thanks to Mae Clair and her post on Story Empire last week, I discovered Portent’s Content Idea Generator. And what fun I had with the title generator for blog posts about NaNoWriMo. I like writing challenges, and these titles pose a fun challenge. I mean, where else will you find writers compared to kittens?

What Makes Kittens Cute…

and how do writers compare

1. Kittens are so soft and fluffy! After a month of writing during every second of our free time, NaNoWriMo writers must forgo some nonessential grooming, such as haircuts and maybe shaving. Thus, we become pretty fluffy. Whether it is cute or not lies in the eyes of the beholder.
2. Kittens are easily distracted and jump from one thing to another. Writers who are trying to focus in order to meet that 50,000 word goal often find themselves easily distracted. How many of you have to write in a quiet place that discourages disruptions? That is because writers, like kittens, have an innate need to notice everything going on around us.
3. Kittens can spend long periods batting at their toys with determination and focus. A NaNoWriMo writer bats at their keyboard in much the same way – tirelessly and with conviction.
4. Kittens run round in circles when chasing something. Have you ever played with a kitten and a laser pointer? Now imagine a writer in a moment of writer’s block spinning round and round in their desk chair. Not all that different is it?
5. Kittens love praise – kind words, a scratch between the ears or under the chin – they will purr in appreciation for the love and attention you are showing them. Many writers incessantly ask people to read this or that and want to know what you think. What are we looking for? Praise. Tell us you love our writing and see if we don’t purr.

Fun aside, my writing has gone fine this week. I’ve had moments of not feeling it, moments of not knowing what I want to write for a particular scene, moments of hating my writing, and moments of asking myself why. But still, I bat at that keyboard every single day.

29,538/50,000 words – so slightly ahead of where I need to be.