This is the boat ramp at Ferguson's Landing on Lake Marion during the severe drought of 2007/2008. Beyond the trees in the background are the remains of the town of Ferguson, normally buried under the lake waters, but exposed for the first time in 50 years during the drought. This location is important to my story.
The Four Holes. That’s the working title of the novel I am writing for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)! Yep, you heard me right.
I am participating in a creative writing project in which I am to write a short novel (50,000 words) during the month of November. This contest is not so much about the quality of the writing as it is about quantity. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Sounds silly, but in reality, it forces the writer to write fast and furiously, worry little about editing and ultimately get something down on paper that may very well be worthy of reworking later.
NaNoWriMo started in 1991 with 21 participants. Each year since then the numbers have grown and in 2008 NaNoWriMo had 120,000 participants with about 20,000 writers reaching the 50,000 word requirement.
Since this event takes place every year, many people do research and create outlines well in advance of the Nov. 1 start date and although, they are not allowed to start the actual writing until November 1, they are well on their way to plot and character development.
I first heard about NaNoWriMo about a month ago, but didn’t give it any thought as something that I wanted to do. But, I saw a few people tweeting about it on twitter on Sunday morning (Nov. 1) and decided to check it out. After I went to NaNoWriMo’s website, I was hooked. So, I signed up and the rest is history.
I’ve had this vague idea for a novel stirring around in my head for about two years. My protagonist is a brilliantly smart, funny, attractive, fiftyish, newspaper editor of the local small town paper. I haven’t decided on her name yet; it must really fit her personality so I am calling her “Cindy,” for now. Her dog, Sam, quite the detective and her protector, accompanies her on many of her adventures. I’m not quite ready to give you the synopsis of the story quite yet, but I can tell you that it will of the mystery/suspense genre.
This is a fairly labor intensive project and I suspect that my house will be staying rather messy this month (Thank goodness I cleaned on Sunday before starting this project.) I will keep up with my blogging activities here on Cindy’s Country Corner, so please check back often and be forgiving when you find errors this month.
And pray that Brian survives.
You can read more about the project on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Novel_Writing_Month.
P.S. You can keep up with my writing progress on the sidebar!
Cindy girl, good luck in you new adventure. Being an avid reader I think you should make your editor have some extra special gifts. Say, for example she can read minds or talk to dead people like the ghost whisperer, and Sam can sense when you come into contact with them. The spirits can help lead you to victims and their would be attackers. Anyway, I love those kind of mysteries. Keep me updated. I hope I gave you a few ideas.
Great ideas! I loving the idea that she can talk to the dead! I’m thinking that Sam has to have some kind of “sense” so he can get her out of trouble!
Sounds good peep. I like Linda’s idea where your sisters could help you too. We all have talents or jobs that can be input for the solving of the mystery. Include some of our life stories in between that can add some humor to the story. Animals can sense and see the spirit world. In the book “Angels on Assignment”, everytime the angel visited the author the dog saw what he saw and would get all excited. Anyway, I’ll keep thinking and you give us some insights on where you’re going with the story.
I’ve not done NaNo since 2006. I’ve just not had time.
I do know what you mean. I can already see that it is very difficult to get a minimum amount of words everyday to reach the goal. I don’t want to jinx myself, but honestly do not think I will make it!
Regardless, my reward will be that I will have copious notes prepared for my great american novel. (This is what I keep telling myself, anyway!)
Hey, does the small town newspaper editor need an assistant? And how about a pal (or five) for Sam?
Funny that you mention an assistant. I was thinking today that she needs a fabulous office assistant that has a sort of ESP knack that is quite useful. She will also have an advertising rep that can sell ice to an eskimo, a full time reporter, a handful of correspondents, and a part-time rack delivery man too! A full staff, go figure!
I hadn’t thought about a pal for Sam, but I’ve got about 47,000 words to go, so who knows?
This sounds like a really exciting project. When/where will it be available for your devoted followers to read? I don’t know how you find the time to do everything. You must forego sleep some nights!
Will there be one adventure in your story or several? I like Sue Grafton’s stuff. Her main character is a part time sleuth who gets into trouble, solves the problem, and then has tea with her cat.
Well, this story is just one adventure. But, yes, I like your thinking. My saavy newspaper woman and her dog can write a book for all her adventures. Murder at the Music Club, Garden Club Ghosts, Lion’s Club Liars, Mayhem at Municipal Hall, yada, yada!