Tuesday, November 1, 2011

It's National Novel Writing Month O_O

Right up until the last minute I wasn't sure I was going to be able to participate in NaNo this year. Last year I learned so much about the writing process, and kind of flew by the seat of my pants with my WIP. However, I wasn't able to focus on much else during November, and there lies my dilemma. The only way I can write at home is to keep up my freelance non-fiction career and my blogs while I work on my fiction projects.

I made the decision to participate but my goal is not just a simple "write 50,000 words or die". This year I'm working to develop a solid schedule that allows me to keep up my freelance writing AND my fiction projects. If I can truly get a handle on this it will help me pay the bills and still write what I love. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that I figure it out:)

So, what am I working on this year? This idea popped into my head one day as I was driving home from grocery shopping. I was listening to Theory of a Deadman and the song Got It Made. This is part of the lyrics:

There's no time for a suitcase
Just grab a quick change of clothes.
You ask where we're going now, honey.
Well, I'd tell ya but nobody knows.
So sneak out the back door
Cuz you know they'll try to make you stay.
Make sure you got a seatbelt on
Cuz we're heading for the interstate.

It's really an upbeat and fun song that made me picture two people who are almost 30. They've been best friends since college, but never dated. As I thought about the story, replaying the song 2 or 3 times, I could picture this lean, good looking cowboy and a pretty, slim woman who thought she was going to be the next Lois Lane until she figured out the life of a reporter was nothing like she thought it would be. Mix this all up with a feisty grandmother, a man with a plan and a road trip that will change their lives. It might end up as a short story rather than a novella, but I have another story idea semi-outlined that I can work on next if I wrap this one up before the 50,000 words.

If anyone wants to follow my NaNo progress, or become my writing buddy, my page is here:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/moonsanity

~Brenda