NaNoWriMo starts in 4 minutes!
1667 words per day for 30 days?
And let's be real, some days will be less - so some days will need to be more - with this being Thanksgiving month.
Here goes nothing!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
The "Perfect" Date
The silly, fun(-ish), time-wasting Facebook application Social Interview asked me: "What is your idea of a perfect date?" I said:
Attempting to put that "thing" into words got me thinking about it, of course, because I think a lot. Analytical is not literally my middle name, but perhaps it should be. Hi, I'm Jacki and I'm a thinkaholic.
Anyway, I know it's possible to exist as an adult human being and not want, need, or search for that "thing". I know this, objectively, because I know people for whom it's not really important. At least, that's what they say. It's either too much hassle or they don't think it exists or they just quite simply don't want to be tied to another person in any meaningful, sustained way.
But I am not one of these people (nor would I ever in a million years want to be).
There is something about that connection, the ease of being with someone who "gets" you, who you, likewise, "get," with whom you don't have to act a certain way or look a certain way or pretend to be anything other than exactly who and what you are.
Now seriously, people, who wouldn't want that?
That, to me, is what makes a "perfect" date. It's not about what is being done, it's about who it's being done with. Some of the most basic, simple things - ordering a pizza and watching movies, grabbing a cup of coffee and talking, taking a walk - can be the most special things if the company is right.
This is probably why I'm not actually huge into dating, as most people my age know it. Meet someone random, go on a date, make small talk ... I can do it, I have done it, I've even enjoyed doing it, but it's not what comes naturally to me. Most of the time I do better when I get to know someone as a friend first, establish that sense of knowing and being known, and build from there.
Maybe I'm just a big old sap, but I doubt I'm the only one who feels this way and thinks about this kind of stuff. Maybe I'm the only one writing about it on the internet. That's okay. I'll take one for the sappy team. It's not like I'll ever know who (if anyone!) reads this, anyway, so you can point and laugh at my sentimentality.
But that's where my head seems to be today, so there it is. I'd like to blame the weather, at least in part. It's cold outside and cold in my office and being cold makes me want to bundle up and snuggle up. Snuggling is distinctly less fun without company.
For now, I'll cling to my mug of tea and wait for the sentiment to pass.
Hmm. Going out can be great, and don't get me wrong, I enjoy it. But I think right now the perfect date would involve staying in ... cook a nice meal together, light some candles, open a bottle of wine, slow dance in the living room ... guess I'm just in a cozy, snuggly mood lately, wishing for that easy, connected sort of "thing".
Attempting to put that "thing" into words got me thinking about it, of course, because I think a lot. Analytical is not literally my middle name, but perhaps it should be. Hi, I'm Jacki and I'm a thinkaholic.
Anyway, I know it's possible to exist as an adult human being and not want, need, or search for that "thing". I know this, objectively, because I know people for whom it's not really important. At least, that's what they say. It's either too much hassle or they don't think it exists or they just quite simply don't want to be tied to another person in any meaningful, sustained way.
But I am not one of these people (nor would I ever in a million years want to be).
There is something about that connection, the ease of being with someone who "gets" you, who you, likewise, "get," with whom you don't have to act a certain way or look a certain way or pretend to be anything other than exactly who and what you are.
Now seriously, people, who wouldn't want that?
That, to me, is what makes a "perfect" date. It's not about what is being done, it's about who it's being done with. Some of the most basic, simple things - ordering a pizza and watching movies, grabbing a cup of coffee and talking, taking a walk - can be the most special things if the company is right.
This is probably why I'm not actually huge into dating, as most people my age know it. Meet someone random, go on a date, make small talk ... I can do it, I have done it, I've even enjoyed doing it, but it's not what comes naturally to me. Most of the time I do better when I get to know someone as a friend first, establish that sense of knowing and being known, and build from there.
Maybe I'm just a big old sap, but I doubt I'm the only one who feels this way and thinks about this kind of stuff. Maybe I'm the only one writing about it on the internet. That's okay. I'll take one for the sappy team. It's not like I'll ever know who (if anyone!) reads this, anyway, so you can point and laugh at my sentimentality.
But that's where my head seems to be today, so there it is. I'd like to blame the weather, at least in part. It's cold outside and cold in my office and being cold makes me want to bundle up and snuggle up. Snuggling is distinctly less fun without company.
For now, I'll cling to my mug of tea and wait for the sentiment to pass.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
In Defense of Molly Malaney
Season after season, trainwreck after trainwreck, I watch The Bachelor. (And sometimes, The Bachelorette ... Jillian Harris, I'm looking at you.)
No matter how forced and unbelievable the "love story," no matter how tasteless the "fantasy suite" scenes, no matter how awkward the "meet the family" visits ... I keep watching, hoping, even sometimes believing for awhile, that this couple will be different.
The show has a deplorable track record for actually creating marriages. So far, only one couple - Trista and Ryan - have actually tied the knot. Most of the romances (or "showmances") last until the After the Final Rose special is aired and the happy couple makes the publicity circuit. Then, after a few months, they break up, alerting the tabloids - and surprising no one.
Another new season of my favorite guilty pleasure has begun production, according to the spoiler sites, and this time clean-cut airline pilot Jake, the almost Ken-doll-like castoff from Jillian's season, will be handing out the infamous red roses.
Since my NaNoWriMo novel is set behind the scenes of a very Bachelor-esque television show, I've been paying a bit more attention than usual to this franchise, doing some reading, research and yes, even watching a few old episodes from seasons past. Recently, while perusing one of the spoiler/sleuther sites, I came across a piece of interesting news:
Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney are engaged.
I'll admit it: this made me smile. A lot.
You might remember Jason. All season, Chris Harrison pummeled into our brains that Jason was a handsome single dad from Seattle (and there were plenty of adorable shots of Jason and his young son, Ty, playing together, to reinforce the tagline). From the earliest episodes of Jason's season, it seemed obvious that he was strongly attracted to the perky brunette from Texas, former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Melissa Rycroft. Adorable, giggly, eternally bubbly Melissa, who aspired to be a first-grade teacher, captured both Jason's attention and viewers' affections.
In the earliest episodes, though, another woman stood out to me (and probably to some other viewers). Molly was a bit of a tomboy, introducing herself to Jason wtih a challenge to see his golf swing. She was aggressive, ensuring she got one-on-one time with Jason at the cocktail parties and on group dates.
She was also the winner of the silly songwriting contest in which she serenaded Jason about how their love could be as perfect as the pairing of McNuggets and French fries. For this, she "won" a one-on-one date with Jason and became the first contestant to ever do the walk (a.k.a. limo ride) of shame back to the mansion after a date, wearing Jason's gym shorts and tee shirt. (Who knows what actually went on in that tent - the editors had a field day making it look and sound as non-innocent as possible.)
For some reason, I just liked Molly. Maybe in some ways she reminded me of myself, because let's face it, I'm definitely a Molly, not a Melissa. I'm neither tiny nor eternally perky nor a former cheerleader. I could relate to her, and I liked her.
From a viewer's perspective, I was pretty sure Jason liked Molly, too. But somewhere around mid-season I read some spoilers. Melissa was the woman Jason eventually chose, they said. Since I wanted to be able to watch the season finale without feeling let down by Jason's choice, I decided to get on board the Melissa train. After all, she was cute, sweet, and totally endearing - much more outwardly lovable than many of the other contestants, including my once-favorite, Molly.
Ultimately, Jason did choose Melissa, proposing to her with a huge, hideous ring in New Zealand - but only after rejecting an angry, confused, and obviously hurt Molly, who informed Jason that she felt she, not Melissa, was a better match for him and that he was making a mistake. It looked like Jason really was torn, crying like a little girl after saying goodbye to Molly, agonizing over what he had done. Who knows what possessed him to then propose to Melissa, but propose is what he did.
And then ... well, apparently then he realized that Molly was right: letting her go was a mistake. Choosing Melissa was a mistake. Perhaps because they were too different, perhaps because they met on a reality dating show, they couldn't make the relationship work.
My family and I watched, horrified, as Jason dumped Melissa on the After the Final Rose special (although she obviously already knew the relationship was over) and then, moments later, asked Molly for another chance.
"How could he do that?" we wondered aloud. "What a jerk. How could he do that to Melissa?"
Righteous indignation on the part of the woman scorned ran so high that for awhile, I refused to even acknowledge the one thing that ultimately matters. On the second reunion special, and in every television appearance and magazine article since, Jason and Molly seem really happy together.
The way it happened was undeniably ridiculous and ill-advised. Certainly Jason can't be excused for spinelessly going along with the producers' desire to tape, and air, the dump-and-switch routine. Certainly one can't help but wonder why the hell he didn't just choose Molly in the first place. But apparently the two are not only still together, they are happily together and newly engaged.
There has been a lot of talk about Molly and what kind of a person she must be. What kind of a woman does what she did? I've seen her called many things in internet articles and other sites, and none of them are nice things. People question her morals, her values, her self-esteem and self-respect. Would a woman with any self-respect take back the jerk who dumped her and proposed to someone else?
I guess taking back the jerk who dumped you is, perhaps, something that a woman with no self-respect would do, but I don't think that's what happened here. Molly seemed all season, and seems now, to be a confident, self-aware, intelligent woman. She had feelings for Jason and based on their limited dating experience on a highly-manipulated reality show, she felt like if they had a chance to date in private, they actually would be a good couple. So, when Jason realized that he still had feelings for her, as well, she had a choice: write him off as an asshole and walk away ... or make an educated decision to give him another chance and find out if she was right about their potential together.
Maybe Molly got caught up in her emotions. Maybe she is a risk taker. Maybe she just hates the what-ifs. For whatever reason, she took Jason back.
Somehow I doubt she simply welcomed him back with open arms and no questions or stern discussions, but it appears that this couple decided to work through their rocky beginning, put the past behind them, and see what the future held. Clearly, it's working for them.
Now, I have never met either of these people and I'm sure I never will. As I said before, I can't and won't defend Jason's decision to allow his dump-and-switch to be filmed and aired on national television. I think that part of his decision-making process set a pretty poor example for his son, who will, no doubt, someday find out the full story of how his dad and step-mom got together. But I can also allow for the fact that a reality show is not like everyday life and Jason may have felt unable, under the fast-paced filming schedule and the pressure from producers, to refuse.
But as I compile my research, outline my NaNoWriMo notes about people who take a risk to find happiness, and re-live some of the cringe moments and "aww" moments of Bachelor seasons past, I can't help but keep thinking about Molly. She obviously doesn't need some random woman defending her on the internet, but so many have disparaged her and I think that's pretty sad.
Relationships are a risk, and in the end, I can only applaud this woman for being able to hold her head up and take the risk that has brought her happiness. In her situation, I believe I would do the same.
And who knows - if this couple's engagement is the real deal, maybe The Bachelor franchise will be able to add another wedding to its record! ;)
No matter how forced and unbelievable the "love story," no matter how tasteless the "fantasy suite" scenes, no matter how awkward the "meet the family" visits ... I keep watching, hoping, even sometimes believing for awhile, that this couple will be different.
The show has a deplorable track record for actually creating marriages. So far, only one couple - Trista and Ryan - have actually tied the knot. Most of the romances (or "showmances") last until the After the Final Rose special is aired and the happy couple makes the publicity circuit. Then, after a few months, they break up, alerting the tabloids - and surprising no one.
Another new season of my favorite guilty pleasure has begun production, according to the spoiler sites, and this time clean-cut airline pilot Jake, the almost Ken-doll-like castoff from Jillian's season, will be handing out the infamous red roses.
Since my NaNoWriMo novel is set behind the scenes of a very Bachelor-esque television show, I've been paying a bit more attention than usual to this franchise, doing some reading, research and yes, even watching a few old episodes from seasons past. Recently, while perusing one of the spoiler/sleuther sites, I came across a piece of interesting news:
Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney are engaged.
I'll admit it: this made me smile. A lot.
You might remember Jason. All season, Chris Harrison pummeled into our brains that Jason was a handsome single dad from Seattle (and there were plenty of adorable shots of Jason and his young son, Ty, playing together, to reinforce the tagline). From the earliest episodes of Jason's season, it seemed obvious that he was strongly attracted to the perky brunette from Texas, former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Melissa Rycroft. Adorable, giggly, eternally bubbly Melissa, who aspired to be a first-grade teacher, captured both Jason's attention and viewers' affections.
In the earliest episodes, though, another woman stood out to me (and probably to some other viewers). Molly was a bit of a tomboy, introducing herself to Jason wtih a challenge to see his golf swing. She was aggressive, ensuring she got one-on-one time with Jason at the cocktail parties and on group dates.
She was also the winner of the silly songwriting contest in which she serenaded Jason about how their love could be as perfect as the pairing of McNuggets and French fries. For this, she "won" a one-on-one date with Jason and became the first contestant to ever do the walk (a.k.a. limo ride) of shame back to the mansion after a date, wearing Jason's gym shorts and tee shirt. (Who knows what actually went on in that tent - the editors had a field day making it look and sound as non-innocent as possible.)
For some reason, I just liked Molly. Maybe in some ways she reminded me of myself, because let's face it, I'm definitely a Molly, not a Melissa. I'm neither tiny nor eternally perky nor a former cheerleader. I could relate to her, and I liked her.
From a viewer's perspective, I was pretty sure Jason liked Molly, too. But somewhere around mid-season I read some spoilers. Melissa was the woman Jason eventually chose, they said. Since I wanted to be able to watch the season finale without feeling let down by Jason's choice, I decided to get on board the Melissa train. After all, she was cute, sweet, and totally endearing - much more outwardly lovable than many of the other contestants, including my once-favorite, Molly.
Ultimately, Jason did choose Melissa, proposing to her with a huge, hideous ring in New Zealand - but only after rejecting an angry, confused, and obviously hurt Molly, who informed Jason that she felt she, not Melissa, was a better match for him and that he was making a mistake. It looked like Jason really was torn, crying like a little girl after saying goodbye to Molly, agonizing over what he had done. Who knows what possessed him to then propose to Melissa, but propose is what he did.
And then ... well, apparently then he realized that Molly was right: letting her go was a mistake. Choosing Melissa was a mistake. Perhaps because they were too different, perhaps because they met on a reality dating show, they couldn't make the relationship work.
My family and I watched, horrified, as Jason dumped Melissa on the After the Final Rose special (although she obviously already knew the relationship was over) and then, moments later, asked Molly for another chance.
"How could he do that?" we wondered aloud. "What a jerk. How could he do that to Melissa?"
Righteous indignation on the part of the woman scorned ran so high that for awhile, I refused to even acknowledge the one thing that ultimately matters. On the second reunion special, and in every television appearance and magazine article since, Jason and Molly seem really happy together.
The way it happened was undeniably ridiculous and ill-advised. Certainly Jason can't be excused for spinelessly going along with the producers' desire to tape, and air, the dump-and-switch routine. Certainly one can't help but wonder why the hell he didn't just choose Molly in the first place. But apparently the two are not only still together, they are happily together and newly engaged.
There has been a lot of talk about Molly and what kind of a person she must be. What kind of a woman does what she did? I've seen her called many things in internet articles and other sites, and none of them are nice things. People question her morals, her values, her self-esteem and self-respect. Would a woman with any self-respect take back the jerk who dumped her and proposed to someone else?
I guess taking back the jerk who dumped you is, perhaps, something that a woman with no self-respect would do, but I don't think that's what happened here. Molly seemed all season, and seems now, to be a confident, self-aware, intelligent woman. She had feelings for Jason and based on their limited dating experience on a highly-manipulated reality show, she felt like if they had a chance to date in private, they actually would be a good couple. So, when Jason realized that he still had feelings for her, as well, she had a choice: write him off as an asshole and walk away ... or make an educated decision to give him another chance and find out if she was right about their potential together.
Maybe Molly got caught up in her emotions. Maybe she is a risk taker. Maybe she just hates the what-ifs. For whatever reason, she took Jason back.
Somehow I doubt she simply welcomed him back with open arms and no questions or stern discussions, but it appears that this couple decided to work through their rocky beginning, put the past behind them, and see what the future held. Clearly, it's working for them.
Now, I have never met either of these people and I'm sure I never will. As I said before, I can't and won't defend Jason's decision to allow his dump-and-switch to be filmed and aired on national television. I think that part of his decision-making process set a pretty poor example for his son, who will, no doubt, someday find out the full story of how his dad and step-mom got together. But I can also allow for the fact that a reality show is not like everyday life and Jason may have felt unable, under the fast-paced filming schedule and the pressure from producers, to refuse.
But as I compile my research, outline my NaNoWriMo notes about people who take a risk to find happiness, and re-live some of the cringe moments and "aww" moments of Bachelor seasons past, I can't help but keep thinking about Molly. She obviously doesn't need some random woman defending her on the internet, but so many have disparaged her and I think that's pretty sad.
Relationships are a risk, and in the end, I can only applaud this woman for being able to hold her head up and take the risk that has brought her happiness. In her situation, I believe I would do the same.
And who knows - if this couple's engagement is the real deal, maybe The Bachelor franchise will be able to add another wedding to its record! ;)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Art of the Bath
Fact: For as long as I can remember, I have loved taking bubble baths.
It's so soothing, relaxing - lying back in warm, sweet-smelling water, reading a good book, listening to music while my feet turn pruny. For getting clean, nothing beats a shower. But for relaxing before bed, or on a rainy afternoon, or whenever you're feeling stressed or tired or blah? Bubble bath all the way.
There are a few key ingredients, and a clean bathtub is the first one - obviously. Atmosphere is next. Lighting a few scented candles and turning off the harsh overhead florescent bathroom lights goes a long way to set the perfect calming mood. After that, well, throw in a glass of wine or a mug of hot chocolate; a good book or magazine; some music; whatever you like, really.
I just emerged from one such bath, and it was indeed lovely. Candles, a glass of wine, and a few capfuls of "P.S. I love you" scented bubble bath from Bath & Body Works. Ahh.
The only thing that would have made it better? Well, a big, bubble-jet tub for one. And company, for another.
But still. Lovely.
It's so soothing, relaxing - lying back in warm, sweet-smelling water, reading a good book, listening to music while my feet turn pruny. For getting clean, nothing beats a shower. But for relaxing before bed, or on a rainy afternoon, or whenever you're feeling stressed or tired or blah? Bubble bath all the way.
There are a few key ingredients, and a clean bathtub is the first one - obviously. Atmosphere is next. Lighting a few scented candles and turning off the harsh overhead florescent bathroom lights goes a long way to set the perfect calming mood. After that, well, throw in a glass of wine or a mug of hot chocolate; a good book or magazine; some music; whatever you like, really.
I just emerged from one such bath, and it was indeed lovely. Candles, a glass of wine, and a few capfuls of "P.S. I love you" scented bubble bath from Bath & Body Works. Ahh.
The only thing that would have made it better? Well, a big, bubble-jet tub for one. And company, for another.
But still. Lovely.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Ten Days ...
... including today. Till NaNo, that is. And yes, that is probably what I'll be writing about most for the next month or so. I'm actually pretty psyched for it, in addition to the requisite nervousness that accompanies the goal of writing 50,000 words in a month.
This week I decided on a story idea and have been outlining and doing my research, and I think it's a really fun premise and a marketable plot, so now all I have to do is write the thing and try to do something with it.
As much as I'd like to spill the whole plot, I won't, in case this actually does turn into more than a NaNo project. Suffice to say that if you, like me, take a certain guilty pleasure in watching "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette," you will probably like this story. It's chick lit, and I'll own that proudly. I'm a chick and I love a good nonfiction book (speaking of which, I just finished Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer ... and ... wow) but chick lit is fun to read and to write.
One thing I can share, however, is the banner I made for myself at the NaNo site. I used a stock photo and did the editing on Piknik, which is a pretty cool site (and free), and I'm pleased with how this turned out!
It's pretty simple, but whatever. It's fun.
It will be nice to have something like this to really focus on intensely for the next month. I've been letting myself get too emotionally bogged down with worries about stuff that only time will ever tell and I need a good swift kick in the pants to snap out of it.
Then, after (and possibly during) NaNo, it's time to think about taking a certain class. A&P, I'm talking to you. Not certain how that's all going to go down, but it's in the plan. And I told people at my high school reunion last weekend, making it harder to let myself wimp out.
So that's all the news for now. Well, sort of. It's all the news that's fit to publish on the internet where anyone can read it.
This week I decided on a story idea and have been outlining and doing my research, and I think it's a really fun premise and a marketable plot, so now all I have to do is write the thing and try to do something with it.
As much as I'd like to spill the whole plot, I won't, in case this actually does turn into more than a NaNo project. Suffice to say that if you, like me, take a certain guilty pleasure in watching "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette," you will probably like this story. It's chick lit, and I'll own that proudly. I'm a chick and I love a good nonfiction book (speaking of which, I just finished Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer ... and ... wow) but chick lit is fun to read and to write.
One thing I can share, however, is the banner I made for myself at the NaNo site. I used a stock photo and did the editing on Piknik, which is a pretty cool site (and free), and I'm pleased with how this turned out!
It's pretty simple, but whatever. It's fun.
It will be nice to have something like this to really focus on intensely for the next month. I've been letting myself get too emotionally bogged down with worries about stuff that only time will ever tell and I need a good swift kick in the pants to snap out of it.
Then, after (and possibly during) NaNo, it's time to think about taking a certain class. A&P, I'm talking to you. Not certain how that's all going to go down, but it's in the plan. And I told people at my high school reunion last weekend, making it harder to let myself wimp out.
So that's all the news for now. Well, sort of. It's all the news that's fit to publish on the internet where anyone can read it.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
T-minus two weeks.
Or should that be N-minus two weeks? It's a little more than 2, actually, but the point is that NaNo is drawing closer and I am not drawing closer to having a plot or an outline. Or, really, even deciding which idea to go with. I have a handful of one-sentence story ideas but so far, none has jumped off the page and really hooked me.
My problem is plot.
I am all about relationships. I mean, if you know me, this is no surprise whatsoever. I am about connection, and conversation, and relationships, and emotions. But I have a hard time with plot, both in writing and in my own life. What happens? People can't just float along aimlessly in a story, and since I tend to let myself do that in life (shameful confession, but I'm working on it), I tend to let my characters do that.
So I need a plot. There can be all the emoting and connecting and conversing in the world, but if nothing happens, there's no story.
I can write a good short story, a good, brief moment of conflict or tension and its resolution. But writing -- completing -- a novel-length work has thus far eluded me. Hence the NaNo sign-up.
It shouldn't be too hard to come up with some plot in two weeks ... right?
Feel free to drop your helpful plot bunnies on my doorstep in hopes that they will multiply and infiltrate my brain ...
My problem is plot.
I am all about relationships. I mean, if you know me, this is no surprise whatsoever. I am about connection, and conversation, and relationships, and emotions. But I have a hard time with plot, both in writing and in my own life. What happens? People can't just float along aimlessly in a story, and since I tend to let myself do that in life (shameful confession, but I'm working on it), I tend to let my characters do that.
So I need a plot. There can be all the emoting and connecting and conversing in the world, but if nothing happens, there's no story.
I can write a good short story, a good, brief moment of conflict or tension and its resolution. But writing -- completing -- a novel-length work has thus far eluded me. Hence the NaNo sign-up.
It shouldn't be too hard to come up with some plot in two weeks ... right?
Feel free to drop your helpful plot bunnies on my doorstep in hopes that they will multiply and infiltrate my brain ...
Monday, October 12, 2009
Maybe I should have been a nurse.
I'm cutting this long-winded self-pitying ramble down to: I have a lot to think about in life when it comes to my future.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
I signed up for NaNo.
Honestly, who thought November would be a good month to have a contest that involves attempting to write 50,000 words?
Anyway, I've attempted this before and I'm sure I'll attempt it again. Because the majority of the writing I've done lately involves filling in name, address, and recommendation blocks on "fix your porch railing or we'll cancel your policy" letters to insurance clients, I signed up for National Novel Writing Month in an attempt to kick my own butt into gear. Now, I have the rest of the month to pick an idea, flesh out some characters and (gasp!) a plot, and get ready to start writing on November 1st.
My perennial problem when it comes to writing is the follow-through. I'll get a great idea and start writing, gung-ho. Then, something inconvenient like work or laundry or sleep or a shiny bird flying by will distract me and it fizzles out.
So I have about half a dozen solid, workable, most-likely-marketable ideas, but getting them from ideas to story is the issue. If I'm ever going to do the Creative Writing MFA and do something other than wish to be a writer, I will need to get over this follow-through fail.
Signing up was the first step in that direction, and choosing my idea will be the next. And hey, even if I don't make the full 50,000 words in November, it's worth starting to write again.
Find me here on the NaNo website!
Anyway, I've attempted this before and I'm sure I'll attempt it again. Because the majority of the writing I've done lately involves filling in name, address, and recommendation blocks on "fix your porch railing or we'll cancel your policy" letters to insurance clients, I signed up for National Novel Writing Month in an attempt to kick my own butt into gear. Now, I have the rest of the month to pick an idea, flesh out some characters and (gasp!) a plot, and get ready to start writing on November 1st.
My perennial problem when it comes to writing is the follow-through. I'll get a great idea and start writing, gung-ho. Then, something inconvenient like work or laundry or sleep or a shiny bird flying by will distract me and it fizzles out.
So I have about half a dozen solid, workable, most-likely-marketable ideas, but getting them from ideas to story is the issue. If I'm ever going to do the Creative Writing MFA and do something other than wish to be a writer, I will need to get over this follow-through fail.
Signing up was the first step in that direction, and choosing my idea will be the next. And hey, even if I don't make the full 50,000 words in November, it's worth starting to write again.
Find me here on the NaNo website!
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