Lost my streak – but did get 9 days of writing in first. Took a couple days off to do other things – things like being with people I hadn’t seen in quite some time. I am thankful to have such opportunities.
Alas, I am further “behind” than last week. However, I have a direction and a knowledge that even if I don’t “win” – I can still finish.
So, I am definitely “plantsing”…
…I started off with an idea of how to start and how to finish, but not clear on which direction to get from one to the other…
This first week, I got down the beginning (and a couple paragraphs at the very end) with a bit over 5000 words.
The bad news: I am behind on the word count goal by quite a bit.
The good news: Inktober 2019 Writer’s Edition did get me into doing some on a daily basis.
The better news: I now have a better vision of that path from beginning to end. (So what if characters have place-holder names such as “Guy” and “Ann Tagonist”?)
So, Friday I got a decent start (1649 words). The daily average should be 1667, so I got close…
…then Saturday came…
Yes, I got some more written…but not as much as I would have liked.
…and today? Three days with some writing, but spent a bit more time working on plot today…and already having a talk with the inner critic who wanted to re-write yesterday’s work…
Today, I begin my new NaNoWriMo journey.
I decided to start fresh with a new idea this year. Afterall, this is a year for fresh and new. The seed of an idea germinated from a dream – one I actually remembered and recorded. What stuck with me about this particular dream was that it was a beginning that could go in so many different directions.
My NaNoWriMo 2019 novel is (working title) “The Cat”.
A depressed teenager stumbles across an injured cat…
…who, or what, is watching?
My perfect climbing tree grows atop a gentle hill overlooking the river. Amid its branches, I find comfort hidden from the world. Within easy reach, hang the darkest plums. Gently, my fingers seek ripe softness beneath smooth skin. Biting, I fill my mouth with juicy sweetness. Contentment fills my soul.
A single figure strolled down the tiled hallway. Thock. His long duster fell open, his clothing were all neutral browns like the coat. Thock. The unusual thing about the man was the tiny black ball, so out of place yet like part of him, being bounced as he walked. Thock.
On my grandparents’ farm, a lean yellow huntress cat, returned to the house very late – limping and carrying her own severed paw. Dismayed, I retrieved my grandfather to help her. With barely a hesitation to look at me, he sewed it back in place. Although misshapen, her paw was saved.
Climb into the shallow tube. Sit on the narrow bench. After others do likewise in front and behind, it sluggishly starts to move. In the awkward vehicle, meander a few curves. Then you are chugging upwards in sporadic spurts of energy. At the peak, all is still before you plunge.
Brutally cold out, Father had taken precious time off work. We hung our coats in the small town doctor’s office and went in. When we went to leave, only my coat remained. My father shrugged saying, “Someone needed it more than me.” That night, I learned the meaning of selflessness.
Some fear the dark. Darkness is filled with the unknown. The unknown can be frightening – it often involves change. Regardless what the change, it often frightens.
Others welcome the dark. Darkness never lasts. Eventually, light shines and darkness recedes – all is made known and there is nothing left to fear.
