Hold on and pretend it's a plan

I'm discovering what other ficcers already know. Now that I'm participating in a ficathon for the first time, I'm discovering it's a much different feeling to write knowing that there's a deadline coming up. I'm flashing back to those times in college when I wrote all those papers a day before the due date: "oh, this won't take very long, probably two or three hours. I know exactly what I want to say." Six hours later, I'd finally be at the typing (yes, typing, this was back before everyone had a computer dontcha know) it up stage.

Suddenly eight weeks doesn't seem as long as it once did. The scary part of it all is that I'm back in the old college "I pretty much know exactly what I want to say" thing. (Well, except for getting the story to the spots where I know exactly what I want to say.) And much like in those college years, it takes a little longer to come out than I expect. It'll get there. I'm pretty sure.

Meanwhile I notice that one person over at the friendathon has finished one story and picked up a prompt for a second. Showoff! *g*