On Wednesdays, I'll cross-post my blog from Routines for Writers here…

Eight days ago, National Novel Writing Month started and I was feeling quite good about my first day's progress. Six days ago, John got a text message saying the job he expected to get wasn't going to come through. Suddenly we were looking at a calendar and seeing we had three weeks to get out of Australia before our visas expired! (They are good until 2015, unless John isn't working at a sponsoring company.)

Needless to say, I haven't gotten any more writing done! These are the kinds of things that can really derail your momentum. I had just gotten started with my self-publishing business and I'm still in the middle of bringing Little Miss Lovesick to print before Christmas. But now my days are so full of packing that I didn't even have time to get this blog posted on time.

Still, what can you take from unexpected roadblocks? You can get upset, of course. But that's an easy way out. The more difficult but, I believe, better path is to find a way to use the roadblocks. The other day when I was really freaking out, I was trying to think of a way to calm down…so I gave my feelings to the character of the short story I'm writing for an anthology. That poor girl is really having some terrible days in my head, but I'm feeling much better!

If NaNo (or any of your writing) started out well for you but has already hit some bumps, look for ways to use the bumps to make a more interesting story. And remember all the other times that you had roadblocks and you got through them. You'll get through these as well. We both will. (On the hard days, I remember – I'll be home for Thanksgiving!!)

Meanwhile, I've got to go pack. And I think my character is going to have some packing/moving issues in her story.