The exercise:
In case you missed yesterday's update...
NaNoWriMo 2009: Complete
So, with that in mind, today's prompt is: retrospection.
Yeah, it got long - but at least I kept it under 1,667 words!
Mine:
I'll be honest: from the moment I decided to do NaNoWriMo there was no doubt in my mind that I would hit 50,000 words. When I have a definite goal, especially with a public one like this one was, I find a way to get there.
Which makes me wonder what else I could accomplish if I simply announced that I would have it done thirty days (or however long) from now.
But that's a thought for a later time. Right now I just want to enjoy this feeling. Because, no matter how certain I felt at the beginning, this still feels real, real good. Accomplishment is a big part of that feeling, as well as a touch of relief to have the pressure off.
I'm also all kinds of excited to get back to writing other things. A Fighting Chance, the first novel I started and now the second to be completed, is approaching its finale. But not today.
Will I do this again next year? Without a doubt, barring something massive getting in the way. I can't imagine what that something would be though.
But for now, I'm going to let Lessons In The Dust sit on the back burner. I'll open it up in either January or February and begin the editing process but until then I'm going to do my best to forget about Ethan and Barrett and the earthquake that forced them together.
Oh, I mentioned on my birthday that I might have some good news. Well it's looking pretty certain that it's not going to happen, so I think it's safe to explain now. I received an email from NaNoWriMo asking for my permission to have my book info sent over to the artist in charge of the 30 Covers, 30 Days project.
Of course I said yes. I was told that 15 books were being sent for his consideration for the first 7 covers, so I had an almost 50/50 chance which was very exciting. I didn't get picked but just being in that first group, when there were some 100,000 people signed up, was an honor.
It would have been pretty cool, and it would have put a lot of eyes on my story, but I'm not too disappointed it didn't work out. It was just a thrill to even be considered. Completely unexpected to say the least.
It's been a good month. Now it's time to ease into December. And to cheer on my fellow Protagonizers as they approach the finish line.
Thanks for letting me share this trip with you.
4 comments:
Wow, well done Marc! I knocked out another 4,000 words on the plane, bringing the current total to around 56,000 words and although the end is in sight, I suspect I'm still looking at a little over 60,000 really.
And commiserations on the 30 Covers, 30 Days project, that would have been pretty cool. But as you say, just being picked from all the entrants is pretty remarkable!
And... A Fighting Chance is drawing to a close? That's exciting news as well :)
Retrospection
This is the window that I sit at,
When it's cold outside.
I can watch the trees
Shiver in the breeze,
And think deep thoughts about things
That happened to me in my life.
Some are recent and still have tracks
Blazened across my mind and soul.
Some are old,
Some leave me cold,
And some remind of why I will always go on living,
Until the choice is taken from me.
And so I reflect, both in the glass
And in my head.
On things I've done,
On things I've won,
And of things and people who are lost now.
And I am grateful that I knew them at all.
Thanks, and I hope you manage to finish your story, whether it's before or after the deadline.
And... well, getting closer to the end, at least. I know, generally, what's going to happen from here on out. It's just a matter of getting it down.
This line just jumped out at me, on both readings:
"And so I reflect, both in the glass
And in my head."
I truly believe that you aren't a real writer until you've been rejected. To even be short-listed is quite a compliment. It's like the losers at the Oscars say: "It's an honour to simply be nominated."
Besides ... there's always next time.
Monica - too true :)
I always thought those actors and actresses were full of crap, but now I think I have an idea of how that would feel.
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