If you’re tired of my fall photos, or just fall photos in general, I’m going to have to suggest you to stop being such a grumpy pants and simply enjoy the beauty of the season, and enjoy the beauty of social media sharing. Before Instagram filters fall didn’t even exist, many people don’t realize this.
Anyway, the reason I’m telling you to enjoy the fall photos while you can is because this season is already winding down and the grayness of winter is already on the horizon. If you don’t believe me just look at these photos I took yesterday…
Compared to this photo I took just today.
The trees are shedding their clothes faster than a bunch of overweight Carnies at a family reunion. And it’s scaring me. I’m starting to get my winter anxiety, because living through a winter in a walking city is different. Because I’m still having to walk Harlow outside five times a day when it’s barely twenty degrees. And I’m still walking to get groceries. And walking to class. Or waiting outside for the bus or the train. Or trying to hail a cab while everyone else is. And it’s cold. Oh so cold.
But I’m not going to go down that dark path at the moment. For right now I’m just going to enjoy this cozy little scene at Starbucks I am currently living. Rain is falling, coffee is brewing, and I’m listening to the Joie De Vivre station on Pandora right now. Two things about that last sentence: #1. I know I need to get with the times and switch to Spotify already. I’m just stuck in the 2005s. #2. I’m not trying to be a pretentious dick by listening to French music, it’s just really good writing music, I swear. And sometimes I like pretending I’m a pretentious dick, what can I say...
I’m actually trying to get ready for the novel I just promised myself (and the internet) I’m going to write (and finish for once!) thanks to the fact I officially signed up for National Novel Writing Month for this November! I’ve thought about doing this for years, but I finally bit the bullet and committed myself to writing 50,000 words in November and I am just gitty about it. If there’s even a little bit of I should do this going on in your head at the moment I say why the hell not, sign yourself up!
In all honesty, I don’t know if I’ll ever share this story I’m working on. It’s truly just something I need to finish for myself on account of the fact I’ve started and stopped more books than I like to admit. My favorite English professor in college, God rest his soul, once gave me great advice about tackling something as big as a novel, he said, “Above all, just write for yourself. Take the pressure off and just realize the first thing you write is probably going to be trash. But write the best piece of trash you can and enjoy every second of it along the way.”
So there you have it, I am writing a piece of trash and I’m okay with it. At least I’m writing.
That is great advice.. just write for yourself! True for personal writing as well as blog writing, too!
I did NaNoWriMo last year. I still haven't let anyone read the piece of crap I wrote. But I finished it and now I know that I can actually write a novel. I would start my next one, if only I had a decent idea.
I am doing the National writing month dealio too! I am scared, but excited to see what comes from it. Good luck to you 🙂
I won NaNo in 2011 and came SO CLOSE to winning last year but my computer died!! It was awesome though. Make sure your family and friends know what you're doing so when you spend hours writing they won't feel neglected. I would leave my apartment for HOURS several times a week to go write in a Disneyland hotel and it was great! Good luck!
YEAH NaNoWriMo! This is my 6th year (I think…) doing it and I've won every year. SO EXCITED for this year and I've been brainstorming my novel lately. I keep this little notebook with me at all times so I can jot down ideas. If you want to add me as a buddy i'm eehornburg. YAY!!!!!! Sorry… I get a little crazy during NaNoWriMo season. But it gives me a lot of blog material. 🙂
Also- I've never been able to get into Spotify. I have it, and I'll use it sometimes. But honestly, I'm addicted to 8tracks. You listen to people's playlists, but you search for music more based on tags or what mood you're in, vs. genre and artist. Example: during November I'll probably be searing the writing tag a lot because I'll be in a writing mood. Or if I'm at work I'll search "work" and "motivation."
Loveee it… You go girl!!! Maybe I'll join you so I can get my trash started!!! 🙂
"The trees are shedding their clothes faster than a bunch of overweight Carnies at a family reunion." Coming from a small town I appreciate a good Carnie joke and that was a good one! Good luck with the writing:)
I love your fall photos!!! 🙂
Definitely great advice!! I was in this novelling seminar in college, but was so embarrassed to show my work at the workshops, because it was trash, needless to say I never finished and haven't touched it since.
Maybe I will join you too. 🙂
Adri @ Adri's Thoughts
"If there's even a little bit of I should do this going on in your head at the moment I say why the hell not, sign yourself up!"
That is such excellent advice, Taylor. It's weird how sometimes you come across something just at the right moment, when you absolutely need it.
I like to listen to French music too. It relaxes me.
Good luck with your writing!!
i have started and stopped writing on so many things it drives me nuts. also i don't have any trees changing colors and im jealous of that.
I get serious winter anxiety…and then winter depression…it just seems so never ending! Congratulations on commuting yourself to writing a novel that's my goal for someday!
Wait…are you and my husband in cahoots? He keeps telling me to "write your novel" and I keep saying "I will" so I guess this is motivation. BTW, I firmly believe there is still a place for Pandora in this big, bad world.
Right?? I looked out my window and saw that the trees were practically all brown already – hasn't it only been fall for like a month? Isn't it supposed to last three months? Hello, I don't like getting cheated here!
I, for one, enjoy all the fall photos. In Pensacola, FL.. we don't get a "Fall". We don't get the beautiful changing of the leaves, the crisp and cool weather, the fun of wearing scarfs and all that jazz. I love seeing all of your photos! If and when you decide to start sharing crazy snow pictures, I'll love them too.
ugottahavehart.blogpsot.com
I noticed that today too! We still have a few leaves on trees, but the majority are definitely on the ground!
I couldn't imagine having to walk around in the freezing cold! I am such a huge ninny when it comes to being cold.
Good luck with your novel!
I am totally with you on Novel November. I have been working on mine for so long now and I really just feel the need to finish it. I know I will never regret it.
p.s. keep your fall pictures coming, I need them in this hot Florida non existent fall!
Who the heck is tired of Fall photos??! I for one, love them, especially yours, because it doesn't look like that in AZ, so I have to live vicariously through other bloggers' photos. So totes keep 'em comin' =)
NaNo has been something I have wanted to do for years. But it feels have if everything just speeds up and November is busier than the rest. I think it's because we have our long holiday in December and everyone is trying to finish work before companies close.
Love your Fall photos!! Our trees are getting greener by the day – Summer is coming!
"Before Instagram filters fall didn't even exist, many people don't realize this." Okay, that was a true laugh out loud moment!
Gahh that third picture makes me so sad!! How did it all change so fast!! I want Fall to stay, because it's cozy and full of bright colors… I don't do dreamy winters.
In a blink of an eye, it will be gone! I'm soaking it up since I'm moving to GA in December and rumor is they don't get much of a fall. Boo hiss.
Love the pictures and good luck writing!
These pictures of fall are gorgeous!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes