NaNoWriMo 2007

64,523 words. That is, 64,523 words of nonsensical, contradictory, inflated gibberish. But, mission accomplished.

Emotional Stages:

Week one - Fuck this, I don’t have to do this anyway. Who the hell writes anything good in thirty days when 50,000 words is the target. I’ll just do it next year when I’ve practiced a bit more, besides, I write better when I don’t have a deadline…

Week two - I hate writing. I suck at it. I’m hungry. Fuck this I’m gonna eat.

Week three - I - can’t - stop - writing - someone - please - help - me.

Last day - Pro. I’m a fucking pro. 14,523 words above and beyond and with time to spare. Pro. I think I’ll blog about it.

Although the work itself isn’t much of a page turner, there are many parts that can be removed, tweaked, and added to something a bit more…cultivated. And, writing without worrying very much what goes down on the page, and with a deadline just around the corner, causes me to create characters that say things like:

“Bring me that bottle over there,” shouted Lord Fern. Spit flying from his puckered lips. “The pink one. The one with the little red bow tie on it’s neck and the box of pretzels in it’s hands. Wait…on second thought, maybe…yeah, I’ve had enough to drink for tonight. Jacob!”

“I’m right here my lord,” replied Jacob in his usual unperturbed manner.

“What! Where?” Spat Lord Fern wobbling on his wooden stool and peering over his right shoulder.

“I’m sitting to your left my lord.”

“Ohh. Well then. Fetch my coat will you. It seems I’ve begun to animate the pretty little wine bottles again…”

“So it does my lord.”

This is probably the best exchange of dialog throughout the entire novel. Yeah, exactly.

If nothing else, NaNoWriMo is a wonderful way to brainstorm multitudes of future stories. I’m happy to have participated. I think I’ll do it again next year. Perhaps Lord Fern will stay sober long enough to make an encore appearance.