be assured, it’s not the end yet

Once upon a time, I thought I’d finish the first draft of my novel by the end of May. A silly girl I was, hopeful, bold, and too many clouds in my head. In reality, the end of May approaches quickly, and the novel is expected to reach a scrawny, but extremely endearing 30,000 words by then. Maybe more, if I can buckle down and focus. My novel is that delightful skinny child that doesn’t look like much now, but you just have a feeling might grow up to be something “special.”

I have no qualms with these clouds in my head, or the reality that shows up and tells me how silly I was. I replot my schedule, and see a finished first draft by not May, not June or July, but probably September or October instead (and even then, it’s only hoping). Out to agents by the end of the year? Oh no, probably not. Finished and solid first draft by my 30th birthday is the new goal – beginning of September. If I do nothing else, I want to have finished a solid draft of a novel before I turn 30.

Just to say that I did it.

Can I tell you a secret? Sometimes I want this book finished so quickly because the year 2012 is coming up so fast, and I want to see my book in print and being adored by the masses before we all become blindsided by Planet Nibiru.

Do I really believe there is a Planet Nibiru? No, probably not. They usually turn out to be flops, don’t they? Am I just fascinated by “end of the world paranoia”? Oh, probably. Am I weaving it in as a major undertone of my novel? Oh yes, I’m trying!

So, how about you all? What do you want to get accomplished in your life before we get smashed into oblivion by Planet Nibiru?