Checking In: Week 1 of NaMuWriMo

As of November 9, I am nine for nine out of days in which I composed for a least 30 minutes/day. Cool! So far, I am meeting my goal. I don't quite write five measures a day every day (some days I write as few as three partial measures, but other days I have written as many as 14 measures!) But--whatever--it isn't about the number of measures I write, it is about writing something, anything, each day.

And the best news is that I finished my first of five songs for the song cycle project. Awesome! I am going to wait until next month to put it all into the computer notation program (right now it exists as handwritten pencil on manuscript paper, but it is A COMPLETE SONG MANUSCRIPT). And now I can move on to the next song in the cycle. I already have a partial sketch of ideas for a vocal melody, but at my next session I'll move forward on it.

What I have learned by doing this daily practice so far:

• I write when I make the time for it in the morning.
• I started out very slow at first (3 measures, then 4, then just 3), but now that I am in a regular habit, I am more productive (i.e., write more music) with the time I have.
• It helps to have a supportive partner. Every morning she has walked the dog or given me time and space I need to create. Thank you, Kate!
• For the first time in awhile, I am REALLY ENJOYING composing and I look forward to each morning session I have.

I'll report again next week, with hopefully similar success!

Statistics for week 1, plus the weekend, if anyone is interested:

Date	Minutes	Measures
1-Nov	31	3
2-Nov	32	4
3-Nov	31	3
4-Nov	36	3.5
5-Nov	37	6
6-Nov	40	13
7-Nov	31	4
8-Nov	32	5
9-Nov	50	14
TOTAL:	320	55.5