Monday November 22nd, 2010

The exercise:

We're going to try something a little different today. Inspired by something Summerfield wrote here in response to a prompt a few days back, we're going to do up some fake business cards. The sillier the better, I reckon.

Finished all the caulking that can be done right now today, as well as chopped up some more firewood. The fireplace is working fantastically in the cabin - I was able to work in just a t-shirt and jeans again. But I am very, very tired and I will be taking tomorrow off.

Writing... should be interesting tonight. My brain is not firing on all cylinders at the moment.

Update: day twenty-two. Not totally happy with it, but there it is. Hoping to get the words moving tomorrow.

Mine:

Consistently wrong for over thirty years - Brad Anderson, Weatherman

I get paid to make stuff up - Mildred Williams, Author

Dragon problems? I can keep you safe all knight long - Sir Dustin Drake, Dragon Slayer

Need someone to whip it out and squirt white stuff all over your home? Stan's your man! - Stan Davies, Professional Caulker

Defending the innocent, the guilty, and everyone in between since 1995 - Sam Gray, Lawyer

Sunday November 21st, 2010

The exercise:

Today we get to write some science fiction. Because I very, very rarely write sci-fi and I wanted some practice.

We finished installing the fireplace in the cabin today, and I finished a major phase of the caulking. It'll be good to have some more heat in there, because it's bloody cold out there. Stupid wind didn't stop blowing all day.

Novel writing? Yeah, I should maybe start working on that now.

Update: day twenty-one. Hurray for getting on a late night roll. Me sleep now.

Mine:

Richard maneuvered his spacecraft into the docking station with practiced ease, barely noticing the loud click that indicated a secure attachment. Powering down with the flick of several switches, he unbuckled and made his way to the rear of the craft.

He gathered his bags from his sleeping quarters and walked to the exit door at the right side of the ship. He was distracted, his thoughts focused on seeing his wife for the first time in three weeks and not on where he was going or his surroundings.

So Richard didn't notice the creature that followed in his wake, blending into the shadows and moving on silent, padded feet. So he left the door open behind him as he stepped into the space station, knowing that it would close automatically after five seconds. Which was more than enough time for the creature to slip through unseen.

It would be another two days before the creature would make its move. Later, there would be reviews of the visual recordings and much finger pointing. But initially there was no time for that.

People were too preoccupied just trying to stay alive.

Saturday November 20th, 2010

The exercise:

A four line poem about: predictions.

There was no new snow here today. That was good, since Kat had to drive to Penticton for a class, but I was looking forward to a nice blanket of white. It still got very, very cold though. Chopping wood was slightly less fun than usual.

Writing update later. Working on getting past the 40,000 word mark.

Geez, that sounds like a lot.

Update: day twenty. Less than 10,000 words to go until 50,000. A lot more to go until the story ends. The race continues...

Mine:

I thought you'd go right,

But then you went wrong.

So it looks like I

Have to say so long.

Friday November 19th, 2010

The exercise:

Four lines of prose about: cold.

Snow arrived here while I was sleeping last night. Here is one of several pictures I took before I remembered I should eat some breakfast:

A lot more is forecast to be coming tomorrow, so I shall probably have another picture or two for you then. Novel writing is ongoing, update to come later.

Update: day nineteen.

Mine:

We had locked all the doors and windows that night, knowing that he would be trying to enter our home while we slept.

We tossed some extra wood in the fireplace. Brought out our warmest blankets.

But Cold still found an untended crack to slither through a few hours before dawn and we paid dearly for our mistake.

Thursday November 18th, 2010

The exercise:

Today brings us: dirty work.

We bought a new kitchen sink, kitchen faucet, and five light fixtures today for the grand total of $3.58. Hurray for using Air Miles on gift certificates!

NaNoWriMo, I hear you ask? Here is day eighteen.

Mine:

This evening I went down to the cabin with Kat's dad to work on getting the fireplace installed upstairs and to learn how to caulk. I only had time to do a small section but the difference was amazing.

It is messy stuff, but that didn't stop me from enjoying using it. It's a very simple, quick way to cover up gaps and I'm looking forward to hopefully finishing up what needs to be done tomorrow. Things are really coming together now. There's painting to be done and cupboard doors to be put up, the kitchen counter and sink need to be installed, and the laminate needs to go in. Several other jobs as well that I'm forgetting at the moment. But I feel like the end is almost in sight.

And then I shall celebrate the day we move in by burning my work jeans.

Because those things are beyond filthy at this point.

Wednesday November 17th, 2010

The exercise:

Let's go with: the detective.

Writing update later.

Update: day seventeen. The word count is a bit off on this one, since I kept going past midnight in order to finish at a good place. Ah well, just makes for a head start on tomorrow.

Mine:

"What do we got today?"

The lab geek jumps a foot and a half. He looks like he wants to tell me off but thinks better of it. Smart kid.

"One dead, via a gunshot to the head. Bullet entered here, came out here." He rotates the image on his computer screen so I can see the exit wound. "Only prints on the gun belong to the deceased. No sign of break and entry, all the doors were bolted from the inside."

"So you're calling it a suicide?" I ask, lighting a cigarette.

"Looks like a pretty open and shut case, detective," he says, waving the smoke away from his face. Ah, he's one of those.

"Sure seems that way."

So why is my gut telling me it's not?

Tuesday November 16th, 2010

The exercise:

Two haiku about: water.

I've already cracked 2,000 words for today but I'm hoping to do a bit more. Will update in a bit.

Update: day sixteen is finally up. Sorry, Protagonize was down for a while there and I couldn't post it. Now I sleep.

Mine:

Falling from the sky,

drowning the whole world as I

kiss your love goodbye.

*     *     *

Water in my eyes

since you let your balloon fly -

now off comes my tie!