A Room With a View

Hmmm.  Good question.

Last November, I started writing a novel as part of Nanowrimo’s annual competition.
I did pretty good.  Nowhere near the goal, but better than I had ever done before.
I was sidetracked at the end when my computer crashed, but I was able to piece things together from a file I sent someone and what I had printed out.

Since then my focus as been more on boyfriend, work, house, tax season, second job, etc.  But every now and then I get a few minutes to think about it.  Sometimes I scratch down a few words.

I have been stuck with what is the middle of the story.  I think I’ve figured it out though.

Another problem?  I’m not really as bitter as I was last year about this time of year when I started preparing for Nanowrimo.  I need to channel some of those emotions because that is central to the plot and the sarcastic things some of the characters say.

So as life starts to settle down a bit, and I as continue to ignore things like dirty dishes and laundry, I hope to sit down and finish the darn thing. 

I really made myself proud this year in my attempt at a Nanowrimo 50,000 word in a month badge of honor by reaching over 20,000 words.  I was on a roll, that’s for sure.  And not only was I producing WORDS, but I was enjoying what I was writing.

And then came the crash of 2008.  Not the crash that made my daily life working for a mutual fund company tortue, but the virus/hard drive meltdown.  I couldn’t even think about the book when I thought the bulk of it was lost.  I had some pages printed out that I had done manual edits.  Luckily, I also had emailed a friend a copy not too long before.  I think I’ve already blogged about this, but end result has been: new computer, flash drive, and almost 100% salvage of my work.

But I’ve only sat down once to do more writing.  And I didn’t produce much.

I’m not giving up, though. 

To be honest, I’m distracted a lot when I am on my computer by 1) Facebook 2) Pogo.com 3) iTunes.  I also spend all day looking at dual monitors at work.  That’s a lot of face to screen interaction-and to rush home to subject myself to more isn’t always at the top of my list.  Then there have been Christmas parties, a friend in town from Holland, episodes of Top Chef, and a nap or two that have taken a bit of my time–not to mention that I just unclogged my bathroom sink.  I live a busy life. 

So…will keep writing.  I will finish.  I will publish.  And certainly, I will keep you updated.

Still….15,810 words!  I can’t remember the last time I wrote anything this long, this consistently, that I’ve liked this much! 

Last year when my supervisor suggested this challenge, I thought it would be just the thing to help push me to write more.  People have told me that I have talent, but I usually let writing fall to the wayside.  Last year was a miserable failure.  But this year has gone really, really, really well.  When I hit a groove, the words just fly by.  It helps that it’s a humorous story overall–I’m allowing myself to say things I normally would think twice about saying.  I love it.

It’s mid-afternoon, and I’m at 12,723 words. 

The last few being “Once again I had used my effeminate might to kick Dillon. This time in the balls.”

8165 words.  I should be at about 15,000 words to be on track.

Being sick this week hasn’t helped much.  There have also been other distractions like Facebook, boyfriends, wine, dancing, and sleeping in. 

I am trying to stay focused today.  I even deleted some work, because I didn’t like the direction it was going.  My writing flow has been much better since then. 

Some things that have been accomplished:  Adam fixed my downstairs toilet. Whoo-hoo!  He also helped hack away at my miracle bushes out behind my house.  I just might get this place in tip-top shape yet.

The best part is, I’m having a great time writing.  I am cracking myself up.

Working title:  Bitter Queens

Ended the day with 1955 words out of 50,000 for the month goal.

November is National Novel Writing Month or Nanowrimo.  I tried last year to participate in this challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November.  I failed miserably, but also wrote more on a single idea than I had for quite some time.

So I’m trying it again this year.  Of course, once again I’m off to a slow start.  I work today; I’m starting to feel sick; I think there was a costume party I was supposed to go to tonight (Oh, Ricky!).  So, we’ll see how far we get this year.

I’m excited.  And I think I have a better idea this year.  However, I don’t seem to be able to blog or journal regularly…how am I going to write so much for this project every day?  I’ll keep you updated (maybe).