(no subject)

[stoopbeck]

I've taken a big step this month. Like the last two years previous, I signed up for NaNoWriMo. But this year, I'm going to actually finish. I've got an actual plot and a vague outline and characters and everything. I even know how my story will eventually end up. Whether I ever get it published doesn't really matter (although it would be nice to eventually have a beach house in Ireland or some such in which I can spend my days writing and my nights counting my money and the boxed sets of my novels). What matters is that I'm writing.


Sure, a thousand words here and there don't seem like much to people who don't understand writing, but it's not just a thousand words. It's sentences, with grammar and words and stuff. It's dialogue, where you're keeping track of several different voices, and while A and B are talking, you're describing what's going on around them so that they're not floating in a featureless void. It's another world that is being constructed brick by brick, word by word, and I'm sorry that it takes my full concentration to make word mortar. Which would be an excellent band name, by the way. "Word Mortar." Just saying.


And it's not like I'm sitting around on my butt all day, writing a word here and a word there. I work hard at my job, doing a lot of physical labor, and then I come home and write. Today, the time I would usually spend writing just before lunch time got usurped by cleaning up after two exploding toilets. Two hours of scrubbing later, and I still hadn't completed my word count goal for the day. Instead of collapsing into bed, I typed. And while I did fall asleep on my keyboard (I had about three pages that looked like repetitions of this: "kjhg gh hgh h nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn," n repeating), when I awoke I got myself together, deleted all the crazy face writing, and worked on completing my daily word count.

This is what I want to do with my life. It's what keeps me sane. I know other people have other interests in life, but just let me have mine, okay? Thank you.



(Anyone interested in joining my new band, Word Mortar? All positions are open.)

Comments

[mei-chan1029.livejournal.com]

As I fellow writer, I relate and envy your progress with your manuscript. I've wanted to write so often but only feel creative and inspired at night...and knew I couldn't get up to write because I had to get up early for work the next morning. I don't know how you do it since you get up earlier than I do and perform harder work. I've still been struggling to get my body right after the surgery and it messes with my energy level. So can I share song-authorship in your band? :P

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

You know, I used to only get the writing inspiration at 2:30 in the morning. So I'd end up writing until the sun came up, and then I'd be tired, and then when I had to write for a class I'd be up a creek until 2:30 in the morning.

The nice thing about NaNo is that it's forcing me to develop a writing routine. I don't know how you feel about Stephen King, but he wrote a really excellent book on writing. It's titled, ironically enough, "On Writing." He suggests that the best thing for a writer to do is pick a time of the day that is just for writing, and for that hour or thirty minutes or whatever, to just write. NaNo's keeping me on track. I'm writing whether I feel the urge or not. Hopefully I'll be able to keep up the routine once November's over. :P

Sure! I can use all the bandmembers I can get! :D

[mei-chan1029.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tips! I'll look into the book and maybe NaNo, too. What's the website? I know I could Google it but I thought I would ask anyway. That sounds like a good idea and might work. So many nights I go to sleep thinking, "oh, I could write about this tomorrow, or maybe that," but tomorrow comes and I don't remember half of it or don't feel like it. So having a routine could be good! Guess that's what those due dates did for me. :) So do we get to see snippets of your writing?

[skroberts]

And while I did fall asleep on my keyboard...

I'm sorry, but... BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! I think you're whole novel should be like that. See if people try to interpret it. *g*


Word Mortar

Shall I add that to the list? *fiffle*

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

It's an incredibly post-modern technique of writing books, don't you know. :D

Oh, please add it to the list? *bats eyes*

[skroberts]

'Tis added to the list. And OMG, I need to start another page now! ;)

Hey, why aren't you one YIM?!

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

I wasn't on YIM last night because I was on Mom's computer, and she hasn't installed YIM yet. :P

[skroberts]

Also...

I've noticed November has turned into many months of celebration. Like, Blog Month and Craft Month. Hee. I think I'm unintentionally celebrating Craft Month as I've been crafting like crazy for the last few days. I think it keeps me from thinking about the fact I'm jobless.

Back to your post...

Yes, finish your novel! So I can proofread and design the cover! So that way you can maybe set up a nice cardboard box for me outside your Ireland house. ;)

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

Sweet! My cover's going to be the most awesome book cover ever!

Ooh, craft month. This has been Baking Month for me. :D

[skroberts]

Also, also...

Sometime, ask me about my "idea." The keywords are "25" and "Ireland"... ;)

[twistedfire.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'll bite. What's the "idea" that includes 25 and Ireland? *grins*

[skroberts]

:P

Since we're both part Irish, I think it'd be a good idea to celebrate our 25th birthdays by going to Ireland...

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

DUDE.

No, really, dude. I think that is the most amazing idea ever. I am 100% behind that, especially since I've never been to Ireland before. Eeeeee!

[twistedfire.livejournal.com]

I too, think this is an amazing idea! You guys will have so much fun!

[skroberts]

Also, also, also...

Ask me about Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

So, Sarah, what's this Trans-Siberian Orchestra thing, anyway?

[skroberts]

Holidays have lost all their magic for me. Every year for the last, oh, ten years, I've hoped for something special: snow, a fun get-together, getting the perfect gift, etc. However, I always end up down. Last year, I was even doing homework a few hours after opening presents...

So, I would like to do something special this year. Like, going to a concert (the T-D O is touring now and will be in Birmingham in December!) or have a nice party or have a nice day just for us. You up for something like that?

(And if I sound too clingy, I apologize, but you're one of the only things that makes me happy lately.)

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

I know how that goes. Christmas just doesn't have the magic it may have had when I was little.

How much are concert tickets? I think a Christmas-y get-together would be nice. :]

Pick a fandom, by the way.

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

Also, in case that didn't seem excited enough, I really really like that idea. Not to be clingy, but I miss you too. :] I can make lots of cookies of various types...

[thelasttoknow03.livejournal.com]

Crazy face writing. Haha.

Can I be the drummer? Oh wait. That might be bad since I have really awful rhythm. But hey, that could be what sets us apart.

Or not.

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

You probably have more rhythm than I do. You're hired!

[twistedfire.livejournal.com]

It's awesome that you're writing. You're much more disciplined than I am. I think tomorrow, being that it's my day off, I'm going to wander around and see where the day takes me. I'm supposed to be editing the stuff I've filmed today but meh. Oh, the only day I really have off is Sunday (except for tomorrow). I know you work Fridays, but I was wondering if you'd be interested in going out to Pioneer day on Sunday? Give me a call if you're interested. I'm thinking of going out there tomorrow if only to get out of the city and walk around a bit.

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

I hate to be a bum, but I don't think I'll be able to make it to Pioneer day. I know we planned on it, but this weekend is going not the way I wanted it to. I really wanted to go, too. :[

[twistedfire.livejournal.com]

No worries! I made my way out there yesterday to go hiking and explored the area. Next year I want to steal a costume from the costume department and camp out with them. I was talking to the head of the Highland brigade and he was telling me how the French camp had invaded the camp of the 1812 scouts to invite them to a big party. It seems like a whole lot more fun after camp closes and all the re-enacters get down and party.

[stoopbeck.livejournal.com]

If I had the money, I'd have to think hard about re-enacting. That would be one of the most fun things ever. :D