Yeah. So I’m doing that ridiculous, self indulgent thing called “National Novel Writing Month.” The one where you have to slap down 50,000 words in the month of November to win. Yeah…….
I was sort of semi taking it all seriously until the other night, when I was driving home from my Mom’s house and I heard the originator of the site on NPR. He was telling us all how he and a bunch of his drunken buddies came up with the idea one night. Hahaha! Let’s try it out, they said. What the hell, why not?
They had 21 guys the first year. Something like 150 the second. Around 2,000 the third.
You get the idea.
This year there are, according to this guy, around 400,000 of us slaving away at our keyboards. Gulp. We are from 30 countries. Gulp again.
I guess my novel isn’t likely to earn me that big money that I’ve been dreaming about,huh?
And here’s the next kick in the gut item from the NaNoWriMo creator: your 50,000 words are way too few to make a real novel! And they will inevitably be complete crap! Now you’ll need to edit. And add on. And revise. And reconsider.
sigh.
I thought I was finally on my way to fame, fortune and no more recess duty.
Alas.
But the funny thing?
Its that as I read my own words, my very own thoughts, I keep finding myself moved to tears.
So either I am a complete sap (highly probable), or my novel has some potential (highly unlikely, yet still enticing.)
I am on track to get my NaNoWriMo “winner” badge.
Big freakin’ deal.
sigh.
Not for sissies 
Whatever gets you writing. You won’t have a best seller if you don’t write a book!
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Sure, sure, sure….”bestseller”, blah blah.
Truth to tell, its kind of fun!
Where’s your novel, my dear?!
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It’s still a gleam …
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I can’t wait to say “I knew you when”! 🙂
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Ha! Don’t hold your breath, darling!
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It doesn’t matter how many other people are doing this. No one else is going to write your book. And we all know yours won’t be crap.
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Well.
Its kind of crap.
But in a weird way, I like it.
Its therapy!
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It can’t possibly be crap. You are too thoughtful and talented. And I agree that it’s therapy. Nothing wrong with free therapy!
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We all think our novel is going to become a bestseller. We have to believe it or we wouldn’t be able to put all that work in. Most don’t make it … but sometimes, the magic works. It does happen. Not as often as we wish, but it isn’t impossible and the odds are at least better than hitting the lottery!
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It is a big freakin’ deal! Even if you and a few close friends are the only ones who ever see it. It’s important to you and that’s enough for me (although I can’t deny I would like to take it out from my library some day).
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i watched a great interview of a very successful Irish author the last day, Marian keyes. She said to write a novel you must make the time to write, but what you write is just the beginning. When you put it aside and then re read it you may be horrified at how bad it is, but after editing and a bit of rewriting you will see it all come together.
I for one am really enjoying following your journey and I hope you will finish as I think you have real talent, not something I would say glibly.
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Oh, my, Thank you, Trish! I am so thoroughly enjoying this endeavour. I have no idea if the story will ever make sense to anyone but me, but I am having such fun watching it unfold!
Thank you!
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My pleasure. I believe in you. Maybe not today, but someday if you want it to happen I know it will.
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