This time of year certain writers are stricken with a malady known as NaNo Brain. It comes from trying to write 50,000 words in the span of 30 days.
It's kinda like Pregnancy Brain. If you've ever been pregnant or been around someone who's pregnant, then you're familiar with the signs: shoddy memory, craptastic attention span, fluctuating tempers.
If it any wonder writers liken their books to babies? You spend a set amount of time producing something you hope will turn out wonderful, and an unknown amount of time trying to make sure said product actually does turn out wonderful. (Yeah, yeah, babies are products... work with me here.) And sooner or later, you send it out into the world hoping it will be good and awesome and make a difference one way or another.
Of course, there are differences.
At the end of nine months, Pregnancy Brain goes away and the afflicted have a bouncy bundle of joy to show for their efforts.
With NaNo Brain, you compress all that into 30 days and at the end you have... part of a book.
During Pregnancy Brain, you're supposed to eat right, get lots of rest, exercise, and cut out your nasty habits.
During NaNo Brain, eating right is hit or miss, rest is laughable, exercise amounts to getting up to use the bathroom, caffeine flows, and - probably more my habit than yours - many ashtrays are filled to overflowing.
And of course, shoving 50K words out your fingertips is way less physically painful than... Well, you know.
With both, the end of your affliction isn't really the end. (Even when you send the former off to college and the latter off to be published.)
But what do I know? I have NaNo Brain. And I will well into December*.
*My fault for committing to finishing this by 12/15.
Hey, I resemble that comment!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been as forgetful recently (it was really bad during my severely nauseous days), but I'm having troubles speaking. It's like the words are just coming out but they aren't even in English. It's really sad. My husband loves it because he's getting a great stockpile to make fun of me.
Oh no, he doesn't get to use any of your Pregnant Brain symptoms against you - ever. You're growing a entire human being from scratch - one that he helped plant. All of your energies are being sucked into that project. Like to see him try that and stay 100% sane. ;o)
DeleteTell him he can use Writer Brain stuff to make fun of later. Much later. Like after April.
Lol it's alright, it doesn't annoy me. I've been very happy during the pregnancy (when I wasn't throwing up). No big tantrums or meltdowns here--not yet.
DeleteI'm not sure he's 100% sane right now, LOL!
You know, I don't remember having pregnancy brain. Or maybe it just never left? Hmmm...
ReplyDeleteMaybe you got delayed Pregnancy Brain, Stacy. ;o)
DeleteI remember Pregnancy Brain. And I laughed at The Only when she was afflicted. Now I'm waiting for Toddler Brain to hit in a year or so, because I'm all evil mother like that. I suffer from Writer's Brain all the time. NaNo is just a more intense version. But I've been good this year. I'm going to hit my deadlines! New story coming out before Christmas and new book coming out after, all written or added to during November!
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