I'm a Winner!

Jumping back to the present for a moment...

I just had to stop and give myself a huge pat on the back, because, what else are blogs for except self-promotion?

I've talked a bit about wanting to be a writer on this blog and have even received a few emails from strangers suggesting I get off my duff and do just that. I took a great class in NYC, practiced on my blog, read books on writing, done some preliminary research, but like the majority of us who say, "Someday I'm going to write a book..." it's always been just that for me. Some. Day.

Well, NOW is the time! In fact, it couldn't possibly be a better time. I'm unemployed with little chance of employment due to our super remote location. I'm living across the road from the ocean which is inspiring even when I wash dishes. My husband actually supports me in doing this. Now!

So, to jump start myself, I entered this year's National Novel Writing Month competition. It's an annual thing where every November you try to write an entire novel, yes a whole novel, between November 1st and 30th. Basically, it's supposed to work as that catalyst to get you to actually DO it. No one expects a Gore Vidal novel to be produced in that month, but what is expected that at the end, is that a) You will have done it! You will have actually written a book! The feeling is incredible. It's a sense of accomplishment that makes a big impact on you. And lesser so b) you may not have a publishable novel as yet, but you have something to work with. Something to edit, and even if a lot of it was rushed, you'll find a lot of really good pieces in it that you can use.

So, I signed up for it. I joined the New Zealand group and my inbox was pummeled with very friendly, supportive emails of meet-ups, parties, and general encouragement. But after a day or so, I couldn't read them anymore. They suck too much time away.

The goal is 1,667 words a day. It sounds like a lot, but it's really not. Well, on a good day. There were times when I could sit at my computer for a few hours and only get out a few hundred. Other times, I could do over a thousand in less than an hour. It depends.

I write historical fiction. To me, it makes writing even more fun, because I get to do all the fascinating research of some fantastic person and/or time and/or place. Then, I take what is essentially a real story and I get to fill in all the dirty details as if I was writing history myself. I really enjoy it, even the research part. I feel like a detective hunting down a rather diverse group of resources -- a new book at the bookstore, an obscure book off of ebay or trademe, articles or letters from museum archives, or a totally forgotten book in some dusty library. And even though I make a true effort to be as authentic as possible, since it's a fiction work, well, I don't have to.

Anyway, I did it! I had to write about 9,000 words over the last two days to make the 50,000 mark, but I did it! And they're right, it's an INCREDIBLE feeling. I had to put the book aside and take a break from it. You get so isolated during the month of November, that you almost forget how to write...it's like you're the only person in the world and you have nothing to compare your work to. So, I'm going to take the next couple of weeks to read some GOOD books to get more inspiration, and then I'll come back and do the worst part of all....edit. Ugh.

And a big thanks goes to Beau since I basically ignored all but the very basics in terms of housework or other "duties" I usually take care of since I'm the unemployed slug of the family. But now that this is over, I'm back to washing dishes and mopping up dog wee. Great.