NaNoWriMo

Just signed up for Nanowrimo! I actually haven't thought about it all week. Then an hour ago, I decided to just go for it. Maybe I'm out of my mind, but hey... nothing ventured nothing gained, right?

My profile page. Let's be writing buddies!!

1,667 words per day. Let's go crazy writers of the world!!

To Nano or Not?

I've been seriously toying with the idea of joining the masses in attempting NaNoWriMo this year. I'm being optimistic - it'll be a much needed distraction from all the stress going on in my life at the moment.

Elements at my disposal:
- a crazy need to write
- no plot
- a rebellious character who won't give up her wings
- a secret desire to sit in a coffee shop and poke madly at my keyboard
- time constraints
- an erratic attention span

Haha. Sounds like a stress-free way to spend my November. :) Good thing I've still got a week or so to decide.

Who's signed up and raring to get started with Nano?

October Blog Chain - Masquerade

This is the first time I've ever participated in Absolute Write's monthly blog chain, and I've got to say... everyone's posts so far have blown my mind.

Hosted by Auburn Assassin, the theme/topic for this month is: masquerade.

I tried. I tried really hard to write a story, but my character had other ideas. The first thing that popped into my head was a masquerade ball - she refused to follow directions and got lost.

So the only coherent stuff I have is a conversation with her. By the way, she doesn't have a name mainly because she hasn't liked anything I've come up with, and she refuses to give me suggestions. She's so picky. Anyways, here it is:

“Oh merciful heavens,” the girl rolled her eyes at me. “Are you still drawing a complete blank?” She huffed in annoyance and paced. The room was revealed with each step she took. Sparsely furnished, it didn’t take her too long to walk the length of it.

“Can’t you think of something? Anything at all? A plot shouldn’t be this hard to come up with.” Eyes hopeful, she pranced up to me and took both my hands in hers. “What about a huge monster for me to slay?”

I cocked my head to the side. That would be exciting.

“A quest to right a horrible wrong?”

I nodded. It’s a little vague, but it could work.

“Finding the love of my life?”

I smiled. I like romance.

“C’mon! I need something to do!” the girl reached behind her and scratched at one of her feathered wings. “I refuse to go to your silly masquerade ball. I don’t care if that’s the subject for your blog-roll thing. Plus, you don’t even know what the ball is for! I need a plot I can really shine in. I will not be written away in your state of being muse-lessness.”

Muse-lessness?

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Don’t mock me. It’s a word. I just made it up. Deal with it.”

I rolled my eyes. Someone’s cranky today.

“You bet I’m cranky.” She flexed her wings and gave a few experimental flaps. “Look at my poor wings! I’m losing muscle tone because you won’t let me do anything.” She glared at me. “You can’t keep me locked up in your head forever.”

I sighed. I know.

She smiled beatifically at me. “Give me a plot and I’ll make it sparkle. Who cares if it’s clichéd and all been done before. I certainly don’t. I mean sure, you’ll probably try to make me do something I don’t want to do. Like going to a dead-end masquerade ball.”

I frowned. That ball was going to be spectacular… until you decided you didn’t want to attend.

She waved her hand at my protest. “Whatever. What I’m trying to say is that I won’t let you make me do something I don’t want to do.”

I sighed again. You’re going to frustrate the hell out of me, aren’t you?

She grinned impishly. “Most definitely.”

I’m probably going to want to kill you off prematurely.

“But you can’t.”

I rolled my eyes. That’s what you think.

“C’mon,” she cajoled. “It’ll be difficult for both of us, but it’ll be worth it. You’re writing again. I’m getting pushier and more demanding. It’s a match made in heaven!

I hedged. I guess I could think about it.

She gave a hoot of joy. “Awesome! We’re going to have so much fun!”

Here's a list of everyone participating in the October Blog Chain. Definitely check them out... you won't regret it!:

Auburn Assassin and direct link to post
Hillary Jacques and direct link to post
Aimee Laine and direct link to post
Ralph Pines and direct link to post
Veinglory and direct link to post
Laffarsmith and direct link to post
PASeaholtz and direct link to post
Madelein.Eirwen <-- you are here
Amy Doodle
CScottMorris
Orion_mk3
Dolores Haze
Aheila
FreshHell
IrishAnnie
Lilain
Semmie
Bettedra

Write from the Beginning

As each day passes by, I'm filled with the urge to write. Write what? I have no clue. Write something - anything. At the same time, my mind remains blank. It's been years since I've written, so maybe it's Fear that's keeping me from putting pen to paper.

But then I realize: I am writing. *This* is writing. What I'm posting in this blog is considered writing. Maybe not the writing I'm used to, but it's a step.

"Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment." - Baltasar Gracian

I'm not saying I have "great ability" when it comes to writing, but maybe I need to start from the very beginning. Baby steps. After not writing for so long, I need to warm up the writing part of me with little exercises. It seems silly, but I need to get used to the idea of writing. I'm writing every single day with freewrites and I'm posting on a fairly regular bases here - and these are both steps in the right direction.

I just need to be patient.

blank page before me

I'm itching to write. My mind is blank. Woe is me.

Goals for October

October is going to be a good month. Why? Because I demand it to be so! :) And because I'm going to make up a list of things to accomplish this month.

Goals for October (in no particular order):

1) volunteer for the community
2) attend an orchestral concert
3) make Halloween cards
4) mail out Halloween cards
5) keep up with my freewrites
6) go to gym at least twice a week
7) bake something
8) give a genuine smile to a stranger
9) go out on a date with myself
10) write people back immediately

Yup! Ten goals for the tenth month of the year. I'm clever like that. :)