Unknown's avatar

Almost Famous

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So if you saw the Sunday paper, there was an article about the local meetings that the NaNoer’s in Austin have been having. If you even followed that story to J3, you saw the back of my head. I forgot to mention this episode because I forgot the article had even come out, until someone told me. Funniest thing is, it’s some blond hair, which I no longer have. So say I’m at a public event, NO ONE WILL EVEN be like, “Hey isn’t that the beautiful back – of – a – girls – head that you were studying all day Sunday into the evening?” I won’t even be noticed, never mind asked for an autograph. So ALAS, Austin American-Statesmen, you have failed me. And your audience, who would have loved to see more of me.

*Cues someone singing “You look better from behind” * (Mom, that’s a rap song.)

So I’m a little sad about that.

And, I got almost half way to where I wanted to be with my book before I left, so I have to be happy about that. My computer couldn’t keep up with me last night, I thought it might over heat and explode, so I let it be and turned it off a little earlier than I had planned.

I will talk to you in four days!! Until then…peruse all three months of archives to make me feel good about myself. 😉

austin american statesman
www.drever.net

Unknown's avatar

ABC Owes Me A Day

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It’s worse than sabotage! ABC has an internet website where you can watch TV. I’ve seen episodes of, well, everything. There’s only like two commercials an episode, and it’s like crack and I can’t stop.

TV on the internet. I love it. All caught up.

abc
www.images.usatoday.com

Since that took up most of my morning, okay, and afternoon, I’ll be attempting the unthinkable – 10,000 words in 5 hours. I know it won’t happen, but we’ll all see how close I get.

I’m leaving for Vegas tomorrow, and we all know that’s the beginning of the end when it comes to this book, finishing – or at least getting ahead- early is crucial.

I’ll keep you posted. I think my average has been about 1,000 words an hour, and so I guess if I make it half way to my goal I’ll have to be pleased.

We’ll see!!!

Unknown's avatar

Support My Lumbar

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I didn’t know I had a lumbar, but now I’m worried about it’s survival. Apparently having a lap top makes you type in all uncomfortable crazy places and positions, then you get in a car, and GASP! – it has no lumbar support, and then your back is broken.

So, if you could – I don’t know what I need – send me some support, that’d be fantastic. Rumor has it this is a ploy to get me to shell out $50 some-odd dollars for a pillow.

lumbar support
www.sptpanel.com

It’s true, I type on the floor, a desk, at a bar, coffee shop…I thought about writing in the car, traffic was pretty bad…but what is this nonsense all about? I’m in pain! Who has time for that?

I’m trying to finish a novel here…

I think I’d rather just have a glass of wine, thanks.

Unknown's avatar

In Other News

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A saying I like these days…in other news. Because it’s (almost) un-novel-related.

TWO THINGS:

POINT THE FIRST: I just realized why I like Starbucks. And Cafe Caffeine. Whatever – um, when I ask for coffee, and do you have AMARETTO, don’t look at the manager. And when you’re the manager, don’t say “I think there is some almond crap over there.” I will punch you in the mouth. Ask the guy at Austin Java. WITH THE BRUISE ON HIS MOUTH.

POINT THE SECOND: When some one inquires to the general status of a hobby, as in “oh, you write?” or “I didn’t know you SANG…” Don’t answer “Duh. It’s kind of what I DO with my life.” Because if we don’t know that you are world famous for tap dancing or whatEVER, then you shouldn’t act surprised. That’s lame.

eye roll
www.imageshack.us

Unknown's avatar

Color Me Maybe You’re Wrong

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From the article snippy referenced: (whole thing here: gawker)

We’ve always been unimpressed with the people who trumpet their participation in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which as far as we can tell involves telling everyone you know (usually via your blog) that you’re writing a novel in a month, woohoo, way to go you. Seriously, it’s almost as tiresome as people who think they’re all special for sprinting through five boroughs. Color us not impressed.

Okay. so maybe I have noticed that my mom is the only one still reading my blog, but hey, I won’t brag unless I finish. And I have only found one blog besides mine about this. And, you’re just bragging because gawker makes millions. I’m doing it for the little Vietnamese libraries, jerks. How many books have you written?


Kidding…mostly.

Unknown's avatar

The New Issue

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I’m almost done. Not with the word count, but with the story. I busted out about 6000 words in the past day and a half, and realized that that barely puts me half way to the word count goal, and I’ve pretty much told my story. How is this possible? I know that sometimes I’m blunt, but I think I’ve been doing a heck of a job describing the weather, the neighborhood, the drama…I guess the plot is flat. I thought it was going well as it came to me and got better as I wrote, secrets and deceptions just entered as if on their own. I must need more.

So, I’m going to have to either go back in there and spice things up a bit, or well, I don’t know what. Un-do contracted words? Call everyone by their full names? Give them hobbies that require a lot of description? Have them all write letters to their congressmen?

Now accepting ideas for the 20,000 words I’m going to come up short…

By the way, we leave Thursday for Las Vegas, so I need those ideas yesterday. Thanks.

school house rocks
www.dvdmedia.ign.com

Unknown's avatar

Why I Write

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We (finally) went and saw Stranger than Fiction. (I mentioned it forever ago). What a cool movie. It reminded me why I’m doing all this. Why I quit my job, why I am trying to get 50,000 words on paper in 30 like 15 days. I think like a book.

Believe me I know that I am perpetually inarticulate and surface in person. I can’t lie. But you wouldn’t exactly want to be at a bar with me and have me spouting descriptions of the soft flowing breeze that I notice drawing itself to you from the ceiling fan covered in lint that makes you wiggle your nose in a gesture you think no one notices that makes you a delight in my eyes and the ones of those around you.

I’m just saying.

So I’m an idiot in person. I don’t say or do the right things.

In a novel, I can put on whatever music I want, and make people do anything. And it can mean something. I can have things I can’t in real life. I can be thought provoking, make characters that let you know I’m more insightful than you know.
The story to the movie wasn’t what spoke to me, it was the descriptions. That’s how I think. It’s in my veins, and now it’s my job to take that, make it travel to the tips of my fingers and to the laptop I complain about and beat occasionally.

That is why I want to be a writer.

happy
www.humour.com

Unknown's avatar

Blame It On Football*

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Once again, the day was spent not writing. We went to a “Hollyweird” Anniversary Party last night at a production studio, but I was still up at 8 am. Whoo me, right? Well, we decided to go get groceries and breakfast tacos (Rudy’s Rules!!!) and clean the house and watch three hours of football.

UT is on at 7 tonight and a few people might come over, so there’s even more time for me to procrastinate. I got all the way past 18,000 words last night (the condition to be able to go out) but I’m still so far behind.

I might be happy when this month is over.

*This was posted yesterday, but didn’t show up right…so I’m still unofficially posting every day like the rest of them. Really. I’m blaming it on UT.

ut sucks
www.tobynopoly.com

Unknown's avatar

Not Trying Hard Enough

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I need a job*. Everyone that has a job, children, commitments, stress, they all have more book done than me. I don’t know what the deal is. I’m officially behind. Way behind considering that I will have limited time down the road. I have seven days before I am out of TX for the rest of the month. I don’t know what to do. My first attempt in getting some words going was to start nearer the end.

I DON’T FEEL LIKE WRITING.

I’d rather…everything. Soaps, blogs, showers, cleaning. I did not think I would procrastinate. Not on this. Surprise, surprise. My cold is gone, no excuses.

The biggest thing that I think is bothering me is that the setting for my book is in cooler weather, and we are having record heat. That’s not helping. Everything that is fun around me is not helping. November might not be the optimal book writing month after all. Grr. I’m going to go try to write now…

cold
www.georgia2maine.typepad.com

*Nope, not really.

Unknown's avatar

What Do YOU Do?

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My main character (MC in the cool world of writer’s lingo) doesn’t currently have a job. Or a love interest. Or a pet. She bought a car…that’s all I got.

boring
www.bushwhacked.net

I’m creeping right up on 15,000 words and I’m spent. I’ve got a couple of things I really like about this book right now. I have honestly realized that some of the plot lines are a little muddy, but that’s for fixing next month. I just need to figure out the amazing plot twist that is going to sell 600,000 copies. Right…
So, in fair “writer-wanna-be” fashion, I’m going out to lunch. Maybe a margarita would help…

Maybe it’ll come to me.

On a more personal note, I have officially reached pain status. As in, my neck is not functioning properly. All it has to do is hold my head up, and it can’t even handle that right now. My wrists, as a result of me (I guess) not holding my hands properly on the computer, are sore and I think they are colored funny.

My sweater, Nita, is shedding all over the place and could stand a washing, if any one wants to stop by and start some laundry for me. According to the NaNo bible, No Plot, No Problem, I’m right where I’m supposed to be, tired, grouchy and lazy.

Fun times.