In an impetuous moment, much like the ones that resulted in my first two marriages, I decided to sign up for National Novel Writing Month.
For those of you who don't know what that is, and are curious/interested, check it out here.
Briefly, you sign up to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Which comes to 1667 words a day.
So far, I've written about 3000 words. When means I'm about 7000 behind.
But am I giving up? No!
I'm planning a post (and a contest! with an actual prize!) on this topic on Monday.
Till then, please wing your supportive thoughts and prayers through the blogosphere in my direction.
Last Week's Winners:
The voice I was writing last week was supposed to be a 50-year-old man from Montana. Since everyone who guessed chose male and someplace rural, I figure I did pretty well.
From Berowne at Savage Reflections:
"I'd like to cash a check, but first please read this note. Now. Be careful; just do as I say and no one will be hurt. Quick, hand it over."
"Uh--the milk or the coffee?"
"Coffee... What? Let me see that note. Oh. Sorry; it's been so long since I've done this I got a bit mixed up. I meant to give you this other note. Wait a minute -- I've got it here somewhere."
"Would you like me to call my supervisor?"
"Would you? I mean, no, no, don't call anybody. We can work this out together. This is nor going as well as I had hoped. You see, I swore this would be the last time for me, but here I am at it again -- and I can't even find the right note!"
"You seem awfully nervous. Just calm down. I'm sure you have the note there somewhere."
"You're a nice person, Olga. Is it Olga?"
"Sonia."
"Oh. I couldn't make out the name tag clearly. Look at this: it's a note reminding me of my mother-in-law's birthday -- from last year!"
"Ah, here's Sergeant Noonan. Perhaps he'll be able to help you."
Character: Retired bankrobber.
Great job! There was no question in my mind which character you'd chosen.
From Booshy, at Booshy:
"I'll blow you...I mean, stick it up!...no. Wait...I know I wrote it down somewhere. Can you hold my gum...gun?"
Character: Cheerleader
This is hilarious. Even if Booshy hadn't given it away, I'd have known, and in just a few words.
From Far Gal, over at Far Side of Fifty:
Alrighty Sweetie, stay calm, I don't intend to shoot anyone, least of all a pretty young thing like you. You remind me of my Granddaughter, she is the sweetest little thing. Stuff the money in the bag, big bills please, Social Security isn't enough to get by on anymore, what with all the prescriptions my husband has to take. We practically eat cat food. Please don't take this personal, you just looked so friendly. I knew you wouldn't press that silent alarm. It will just be our little secret..Thank You..God Bless you child. :)
From Steven G:
"Hi! May I help you?" ( She's 23 )( 90 seconds)
(I'm on) "Oh yeah, Wow, I'm a huge fan of skin art. That looks like the tail feather of a bird. Please, may I see more of it?" ( 75 seconds )
"The Bank doesn't want us to show anything." ( She's watching my white teeth) (60 seconds)
"Is that a Quetzal?", I ask?
"No, it's a Crane! How can we help you today, sir?" She smiles.(45 seconds)
"Put the large bills in this bag in 15 seconds or I will fire the gun in my jacket. If you place a dye pack in this bag I will shoot the first homeless person I see and you will know it when you watch the news tonight." ( 30 seconds)
"Now wish me a good day." ( 15 seconds)
" Have a..a..good day, sir."
" Thank you miss. Take care of the Crane." (0 seconds)
Character: Doesn't appear to be any of the 4 that were assigned? I'm thinking he's a Gen Y skinhead. Enlighten us, Steven G!
This Week's Challenge:
In 100 words or less, tell us about a party where an uninvited guest shows up.
(P.S. I stole this from Darren McGarvey, proprietor of Word's Worth Writing, a writing center in Dayton. On Tuesday, I attended his monthly freebie writing class, and this is one of the prompts he gave us. He's also hosting "A Taste of Wine" next Tuesday, November 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 90 S. Main Street in Miamisburg. Over the course of the evening, participants will eat, drink and respond to prompts (apparently the responses accelerate as the wind kicks in). Cost is $30. (Does this seem like a fair trade-off for swiping his prompt?))
Here's some vibes to stimulate your writing! You must have been crazy to take on a month-long challenge. But it'll be interesting to see what you write at the end of November.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that it would take me a year to write 50,000 words.
Sorry, Teach.
ReplyDeleteMy character was meant to be a professional robber (timing the event in his head), pulling off one last job with cold precision.
I can see some ambiguities on the re-read. But it was fun. We can move on!
I'm doing it, too - and I'm also behind, since the last three days, it's been enough of a challenge to get out of bed (I hate being sick any time, but November is the worst!)
ReplyDeleteHowever this happened to me last year, too, so I know it's possible to catch up. Don't give up! :)
P.S. I'm rachel_c on NaNo... you can add me if you want to laugh at my pathetic progress.
Oh yay! You're doing NaNo! I've done it the past two years and LOVED it. I'm sitting out this year as things are still crazy with our new little one, but I'm missing it something fierce and will probably try to make one or two write-ins and just work on some short fiction.
ReplyDeleteRemember, you're just writing a rough draft, it doesn't have to be perfect. Just get the words on paper. If you get stuck, try out Dr. Wicked's Write or Die app. http://lab.drwicked.com/ Always a sure fire way for me to get kick started. The first 5 minutes or so might be total junk, but after that, I'm usually back in a groove.
Have fun!
(As an aside, I've always had to be done with NaNo before traveling for Thanksgiving, so the past two years, I've done my 50k in a little over 3 weeks. So no worries if you're a bit behind now...still plenty of time to catch up!)
Good luck with the novel!
ReplyDeleteI have faith.
Sending you lots of good Nano vibes...you will succeed!
ReplyDeletemuch love
>>...A party where an uninvited guest shows up.<<
ReplyDelete“What are you doing here?"
“I was invited! But you, you must have snuck in.”
“Shut up and listen. I don’t need an invitation because I’m on a very important assignment.”
“Oh, come off it. You’re with that third phalanx group, right? That bunch of losers.”
“Be quiet! Be aware that I am – (music sting in background) – an ANGEL OF DEATH!”
“Yeah, well, so am I, as you well know. How did we both get assigned to this party?”
(Sighs) “Another bureaucratic screwup, I suppose. Where’s the buffet?”
“The stuffed mushrooms aren’t bad.”
I'm cheering for you Jeanne as loud as I could from across the oceans and seven seas.
ReplyDeleteDo we get to read your novel, maybe purchase it? I'll check out the contest rules.
You can do it Jeanne.
Somehow Jeanne I think you can do this 50,000 word novel thing. I have faith in you. I am going to try and get back in my groove this weekend. I miss my blog and I am sooo behind in reading my favorite bloggers. Life has really thrown me a curve ball lately.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Halloween!
ReplyDeleteThe Travelers Inn in Austin had booked their annual Halloween Swingers Weekend.
Jackie and I just started dating, but she's crazy like me so we decided to crash the swingers freak show!
Jackie loves to punk other people too, so we got trashed and headed over to Travelers Inn in costume! She was Tina Turner and I was Phil Spector. We got in immediately!
At midnight they awarded best costume to this bizarre old naked couple wearing only Texas A&M hats . I was giggling hysterically when Jackie yelled out, “Mom? Dad?...OH MY GOD!"