On November 1, 2009 my creative juices will be flowing so hard that my head will look like a fresh squeezed lime. They will continue for thirty consecutive days until on the 30th of the same month, I will have the first draft of a fifty thousand word novel in my hand.
That is the plan. And it will happen. Since I work four days on and four off, it will require close to 3,000 words per day on my “days off.” I can do it. Anyone can, really. The real question is whether it’ll be any good. And so, my friends, I’m requiring two things from you. First, suggestions for novel genre, a title for the book, and some good plot ideas.
I will, over the next few days, take your comments into account before I start writing. After that, all bets are off. But for your trouble, you just might see your ideas fleshed out.
Second, I’m looking for encouragement from the first to the thirtieth of November. Daily encouragement and perhaps writer’s block breakers. Also, feel free to send me cookies and pies so I don’t starve.
Those who are most helpful may be asked to give the draft a read through.
Don’t let me down, friends.
Now I don't have to sit on the floor
I’m at the end of my house hunting “vacation.” I didn’t have to fly far from Martha’s nest, as the new place is right around the corner from where I’ve been staying for the last couple of months.
I flew back to Indiana for a couple of days, spent some time with the family, and drove back to Virginia with Sissy since there’s no convenient time for her to switch schools and she wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. We switched drivers every hundred miles or so and indulged in typical road trip comforts, listening to tunes as we drove through the foothills in darkness until we finally arrived at 2 in the morning.
But this is the place where we’ll spend the next year, or maybe two or three. The house has a very nice fireplace, oak main and upper floors, and is big enough for the family but small enough to feel cozy.
When Madame gets here end of the week, she’ll purtify and decorate it up real good. I’m looking forward to that. Well, I’m looking forward to having furniture besides the sectional which I snagged from Craigslist earlier today, and the card table and two chairs we’re using as a dining room set.
I’m looking forward to nights of conversation and laughter around the fireplace, bright holidays, and four days off every eight in which I can write!
Keep your fingers crossed that we get this place. It’s around the corner from where I’m living. Martha the nice realtor lady who lets rooms out to military guys will be thrilled to still have me as a neighbor, I’m sure.
(Hi Martha if you’re reading this!)
The owner said “okay” when I asked him if I could put a wood stove insert in the fireplace if we ended up renting it. I’m stoked, and hopefully the stove will be, too.
More updates as they happen.
