Each week, usually multiple times, I go to Old Chicago here in Topeka with a group of other nerdy friends and we bullshit with each other about anything that comes to mind for hours. A lot of people I invite get frustrated because we go there so often and I get that. But nerds, and people in general really, are creatures of habit. Not too long ago we all went to that restraunt for the first time and had a blast while befriending a large amount of the staff. It's easy and comfortable to go there because it's got good vibes attached.
Anywho, I was at this fine establishment a few days ago. We were on the same course of how each time goes; talking rapid-fire about whatever comes up, telling old stories we've told a thousand times and generally acting like fools. After a few people took off my buddies Jim, Justin and I got to some nerdier issues. Jim and I both enjoy writing so we both talked about stepping it up even more in that department and trying to stay on schedule. Well, comes around to actual planning (which nerds are good at and only sometimes follow through) and I started to think about where I'm at in life where I wanted to be. Y'know, I don't do bad for myself at 24. I get to see my friends all the time and laugh almost every minute we hang out, play some games with them and throw back some drinks. However, the younger Kyle in me was laughing at me for not being somewhere on the map for writing by now.
I did NaNoWriMo for the first time this year and it was an uphill battle. If you don't know about that then I'll fill you in a bit; Nation Novel Writing Month is something you do in November. You have to keep on schedule writing each day and the goal is to hit fifty thousand words without stopping to edit or deleting anything. It's rough. I was able to slough through and write something and I'm proud of myself for that. Doing this combined with reflecting on my writing career as it is now put a lot in perspective for me. I'm a nerd and I have a pattern that I could see being okay with for a long time. But Thursday night while talking to these guys has helped push me to realize I -have- to keep writing and sending everything out.
I had been writing on whims when I had ideas for stuff. From here on I'm on a set schedule and am sending things out to people who are willing to read, rip the mistakes to shreds and help me grow. My uncle is the first person who's been really helping me out by reading it himself and sending it out to a friend with experience. It's not where I thought I'd be when I was ten and decided to be a writer but it's where I'm starting. Breaking out of my pattern and trying to throw some things to the wall to see what sticks.
Who knows, maybe one day I'll be famous for writing something that tween girls love and make stacks of cash on the movie deals. If I do? Giant party and all the beers, rooms, food and whatever else on me!
Till next time!
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