In California, where I am, it's currently 10:15, p.m., so that means I squeaked this post in today. Right?
Airports aren't the worst places to write. Same for planes. I managed to craft a couple scenes I'm really happy with.
Here are the numbers:
Today's word count: 1,378
Total word count: 21,158
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 17
Today's trivia question: Nicole Kidman has a fear of what?
Answer to yesterday's trivia question: In Australia, a wonga wonga is a white-faced pigeon.
November 14, 2009
November 12, 2009
Miles to Go Before I Sleep
My favorite poem is Robert Frost's "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening." I love the last lines: "And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep."
Figuratively, that's what this part of the novel-writing process feels like. I know where it's going. I have a solid start. But it's going to take miles of words to get there.
Literally, I have miles to go because tomorrow I'm flying 3,000 miles so I can attend my nephew's bar mitzvah in California. He's an amazing guy. And it will be lovely to spend time with family.
I'm not travelling the farthest, though. One of the guests is coming from Australia. (See trivia question below.)
I'll take our laptop and keep up the daily updates (as Internet access allows).
Today's word count: 128
Total word count: 19,780
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 18
Today's Trivia Question: In Australia, what is a wonga wonga?
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The European country in which their national orchestra is larger than their army is Monaco.
Figuratively, that's what this part of the novel-writing process feels like. I know where it's going. I have a solid start. But it's going to take miles of words to get there.
Literally, I have miles to go because tomorrow I'm flying 3,000 miles so I can attend my nephew's bar mitzvah in California. He's an amazing guy. And it will be lovely to spend time with family.
I'm not travelling the farthest, though. One of the guests is coming from Australia. (See trivia question below.)
I'll take our laptop and keep up the daily updates (as Internet access allows).
Today's word count: 128
Total word count: 19,780
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 18
Today's Trivia Question: In Australia, what is a wonga wonga?
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The European country in which their national orchestra is larger than their army is Monaco.
November 11, 2009
Bad Writer. No dessert!
A writer deserves one day off, doesn't she?
"No!" you say.
You're absolutely right!
And you are in charge of not letting it happen again. If my word count doesn't climb tomorrow, you have my permission to write mean things in the comment section. (But not too mean.) Just help me stay focused and on track to reach my 50,000 word goal by the end of the month. Thanks!
But it wasn't exactly a day off. I did other writing-related work. Really. Don't look at me in that tone of voice.
One of the things I did was work on material for a conference I'll be speaking at this coming April -- the Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop at the University of Dayton. This conference, inspired by the late, GREAT Erma Bombeck takes place only once every two years. I'm honored to be on the faculty for the upcoming conference.
If you're interested in attending, registration opens on December 1st and fills up fast. The last conference sold out in three days.
Here are the faculty bios and the workshop sessions.
Okay. Here are the embarrassing, pitiful, shameful numbers: (You might notice they look a lot like yesterday's numbers, except that one whole precious day is gone and there's a big goose egg for today's word count.)
Today's word count: 0
Total word count: 19,652
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 19
Today's Trivia Question: Which European country's national orchestra is larger than its army?
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The most common dog name is Lady, which just happens to be our dog's name.
"No!" you say.
You're absolutely right!
And you are in charge of not letting it happen again. If my word count doesn't climb tomorrow, you have my permission to write mean things in the comment section. (But not too mean.) Just help me stay focused and on track to reach my 50,000 word goal by the end of the month. Thanks!
But it wasn't exactly a day off. I did other writing-related work. Really. Don't look at me in that tone of voice.
One of the things I did was work on material for a conference I'll be speaking at this coming April -- the Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop at the University of Dayton. This conference, inspired by the late, GREAT Erma Bombeck takes place only once every two years. I'm honored to be on the faculty for the upcoming conference.
If you're interested in attending, registration opens on December 1st and fills up fast. The last conference sold out in three days.
Here are the faculty bios and the workshop sessions.
Okay. Here are the embarrassing, pitiful, shameful numbers: (You might notice they look a lot like yesterday's numbers, except that one whole precious day is gone and there's a big goose egg for today's word count.)
Today's word count: 0
Total word count: 19,652
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 19
Today's Trivia Question: Which European country's national orchestra is larger than its army?
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The most common dog name is Lady, which just happens to be our dog's name.
November 10, 2009
Soon-to-Be Famous Guest Blogger
Olivia Bean here.
That lady who writes about me every day is so busy scribbling, crossing out and scribbling again that she asked me to fill in for her today.
I told her I didn't mind as long as it didn't keep me from watching Jeopardy! I love watching Jeopardy! and playing along with the contestants. Do you?
Anyway, that lady wants me to tell you how many words she wrote today for some stupid reason. I'd rather tell you about the world's smallest country -- Vatican City -- or the color of spider blood -- transparent.
Trivia is so much more fun than some dumb numbers, don't you think? I do, too, but I promised, so . . .
Here are today's numbers:
Today's word count: 233
Total word count: 19,652
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 20
My little bother, Charlie Bean, wants to give you today's trivia question. I told him I'm the queen of trivia, but he said he'd dunk my encyclopedia in the toilet if I didn't let him.
So, I let him. Well, wouldn't you?
Anyway, Charlie's been trying to talk Mom into getting him a pet lately. He told Mom that an armadillo can be housebroken (which is true), but Mom's not buying it. So, Charlie's trivia question today has to do with pets.
Charlie's Trivia Question: What is the most common dog name?
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Arnold Schwarzenegger bought the first Hummer manufactured for civilian use.
That lady who writes about me every day is so busy scribbling, crossing out and scribbling again that she asked me to fill in for her today.
I told her I didn't mind as long as it didn't keep me from watching Jeopardy! I love watching Jeopardy! and playing along with the contestants. Do you?
Anyway, that lady wants me to tell you how many words she wrote today for some stupid reason. I'd rather tell you about the world's smallest country -- Vatican City -- or the color of spider blood -- transparent.
Trivia is so much more fun than some dumb numbers, don't you think? I do, too, but I promised, so . . .
Here are today's numbers:
Today's word count: 233
Total word count: 19,652
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 20
My little bother, Charlie Bean, wants to give you today's trivia question. I told him I'm the queen of trivia, but he said he'd dunk my encyclopedia in the toilet if I didn't let him.
So, I let him. Well, wouldn't you?
Anyway, Charlie's been trying to talk Mom into getting him a pet lately. He told Mom that an armadillo can be housebroken (which is true), but Mom's not buying it. So, Charlie's trivia question today has to do with pets.
Charlie's Trivia Question: What is the most common dog name?
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Arnold Schwarzenegger bought the first Hummer manufactured for civilian use.
November 9, 2009
Zzzzzzzz
Oh, hi. I wasn't sleeping. Really. I was just checking to make sure the insides of my eyelids were okay. How could I be sleeping when there are 50,000 words to pound out by the end of the month?
But boy, those NaNoWriMo folks are right. The second week IS harder than the first.
Last night, I did a bunch of research. So today I needed to go back and kick some things to the curb while enhancing other things. It's slow-going work.
But it's going.
Today's numbers:
Today's word count: 272
Total word count: 19,419
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 21
Today's Trivia Question: Which actor bought the first Hummer manufactured for civilian use? (Hint: He makes a surprise appearance in my novel, As If Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President!)
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The first character to speak in Star Wars was C-3PO.
But boy, those NaNoWriMo folks are right. The second week IS harder than the first.
Last night, I did a bunch of research. So today I needed to go back and kick some things to the curb while enhancing other things. It's slow-going work.
But it's going.
Today's numbers:
Today's word count: 272
Total word count: 19,419
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 21
Today's Trivia Question: Which actor bought the first Hummer manufactured for civilian use? (Hint: He makes a surprise appearance in my novel, As If Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President!)
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The first character to speak in Star Wars was C-3PO.
November 8, 2009
Murky Middles, a Flashlight and Star Wars Trivia
A big shout of "THANKS" for all the support I've received via comments on this blog, notes on Facebook and thoughtful e-mails.
It's not the easiest thing to to slog through the murky middle of a novel. But as my friend, Dan R. says, "It's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick."
At this point, I feel like I'm exploring a dark forest with only a flashlight for company. But my battery is dimming. The light illuminates only one bit at a time, and I take a tentative step in that direction, hoping like heck I haven't veered completely off course.
When I finish and can illuminate the whole work in the light of day, I'll know where I stepped off course and where I needed to forge a new path anyway.
But for now . . . I'm up to my knee caps in the murky middle . . . and I'll creep forward with my flashlight, the one with the dying battery -- and, of course, all your candles of support, shining light where I need it most. Thank you!
Here are today's numbers:
Today's word count: 3,569
Total word count: 19,147
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 22
Today's Trivia Question: Who is the first character to speak in Star Wars?
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: "E" is the most common letter in Scrabble.
It's not the easiest thing to to slog through the murky middle of a novel. But as my friend, Dan R. says, "It's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick."
At this point, I feel like I'm exploring a dark forest with only a flashlight for company. But my battery is dimming. The light illuminates only one bit at a time, and I take a tentative step in that direction, hoping like heck I haven't veered completely off course.
When I finish and can illuminate the whole work in the light of day, I'll know where I stepped off course and where I needed to forge a new path anyway.
But for now . . . I'm up to my knee caps in the murky middle . . . and I'll creep forward with my flashlight, the one with the dying battery -- and, of course, all your candles of support, shining light where I need it most. Thank you!
Here are today's numbers:
Today's word count: 3,569
Total word count: 19,147
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 22
Today's Trivia Question: Who is the first character to speak in Star Wars?
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: "E" is the most common letter in Scrabble.
November 7, 2009
15,000 Words Makes One Weak, er, Week
I have officially completed my first week of National Novel Writing Month. According to the site, we are supposed to have 15,000 words by end of the day Monday. I'm already there.
It's a good thing, too, because Week #2 is supposed to be the hardest.
I can see why.
1. My book is approaching the murky middle -- a tangle of possibilities that must be figured out and artfully executed.
2. I'm leaving soon for an out-of-state trip.
3. Hubby's leaving after than for a separate out-of-state trip.
4. And I'm getting sick.
Wish me luck for getting through Week #2.
Here are the numbers:
Today's word count: 982
Total word count: 15,548
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 23
Today's Trivia Question: In the game of Scrabble, which is the most common letter?
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The average worker bee produces 1/12th a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.
It's a good thing, too, because Week #2 is supposed to be the hardest.
I can see why.
1. My book is approaching the murky middle -- a tangle of possibilities that must be figured out and artfully executed.
2. I'm leaving soon for an out-of-state trip.
3. Hubby's leaving after than for a separate out-of-state trip.
4. And I'm getting sick.
Wish me luck for getting through Week #2.
Here are the numbers:
Today's word count: 982
Total word count: 15,548
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 23
Today's Trivia Question: In the game of Scrabble, which is the most common letter?
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The average worker bee produces 1/12th a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.
November 6, 2009
The Story Revealed
Didn't have time for exercise this morning, and writing felt like pushing a stroller through wet sand.
Managed to walk the pooch, though, and met the lady whose house was nearly broken into earlier in the week.
She filled me in on the story:
Her husband had been laid off, so he was home when a man climbed their fence (and broke it) and busted a window on their back door.
Hearing a noise, her husband ran to the back yard and was greeted by a twenty-year-old guy with his arm stuck through the window of the back door.
The home owner screamed some words I can't say on this family-friendly blog, charged and tackled the guy. He managed to land a few punches to the kidneys before the man wriggled free and vaulted over the fence.
Running back into his home, the man called police on a portable phone and went out to watch where the man went.
The intruder didn't run, but walked down the street while calling someone on his cell. He was nicely dressed, too. A few blocks away, he slipped into a car and sped away. The same car, the man realized, that has been cruising around the neighborhood lately.
The intruder still hasn't been caught.
Those people now sleep with baseball bats at the ready.
We are extra grateful to have our large, loud dog by our sides.
I wish people realized that when they break into someone's home, they steal a lot more than "things."
Onto the numbers:
Today's word count: 3,414
Total word count: 14,566
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 24
Today's Trivia Question: How much honey does the average worker bee produce in a lifetime?
A. 1/12 teaspoon
B. 12 tablespoons
C. 1-3/4 cups
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The first vegetable to be canned was PEAS.
Managed to walk the pooch, though, and met the lady whose house was nearly broken into earlier in the week.
She filled me in on the story:
Her husband had been laid off, so he was home when a man climbed their fence (and broke it) and busted a window on their back door.
Hearing a noise, her husband ran to the back yard and was greeted by a twenty-year-old guy with his arm stuck through the window of the back door.
The home owner screamed some words I can't say on this family-friendly blog, charged and tackled the guy. He managed to land a few punches to the kidneys before the man wriggled free and vaulted over the fence.
Running back into his home, the man called police on a portable phone and went out to watch where the man went.
The intruder didn't run, but walked down the street while calling someone on his cell. He was nicely dressed, too. A few blocks away, he slipped into a car and sped away. The same car, the man realized, that has been cruising around the neighborhood lately.
The intruder still hasn't been caught.
Those people now sleep with baseball bats at the ready.
We are extra grateful to have our large, loud dog by our sides.
I wish people realized that when they break into someone's home, they steal a lot more than "things."
Onto the numbers:
Today's word count: 3,414
Total word count: 14,566
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 24
Today's Trivia Question: How much honey does the average worker bee produce in a lifetime?
A. 1/12 teaspoon
B. 12 tablespoons
C. 1-3/4 cups
Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The first vegetable to be canned was PEAS.
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