I’m two days into the National Novel Writing Month challenge now. I’m happy to report that I am still on track to meet the 50,000 word deadline on 11/30. In fact, I have a 101 word buffer. Yep, that’s right, I have a whopping total of 3,435 words in the bank. I also read the first week’s writing advice in No Plot, No Problem, and I’m pleased to have sequestered my inner editor in a windowless room until December. Take that, you comma-splice-pointing-out bastard.
What’s going on in my novel so far? Well I’m so glad you asked! I don’t want to ruin the surprise by telling you everything (read: I don’t know anything else yet), but here are a few tidbits:
1. The title of my novel as of right now is Untitled Novel. I pride myself in my creativity.
2. Like my writing pal Berserker, I’m choosing to go first person point-of-view with my story. I realize this often means trouble for trying to get it published, but first person simply felt like the right voice for me to use for what I want to say. One of my favorite books of all time, Odd Thomas, had an amazing use of first-person voice. The story seemed more emotional and real to me when seen presented directly through the eyes of the character. Not that I’m comparing myself to Dean Koontz, by the way. That hack could learn a thing or two from me 
Actually, Koontz seems to be a really nice guy. I sent him a letter a couple months ago telling him how much I enjoyed The Face, and he sent me back a handwritten note. Sure, it was scrawled beneath a form letter, but I appreciated the fact that he took the time to jot down a few sentences. He gets an enormous amount of mail. And, he wished my Golden Retrievers well, which always wins you points in my book. Even if one of them does have diarrhea (see yesterday’s post).
3. Here are the first two sentences of my novel: “My name is Timothy West and I have a story to tell. In some ways, it’s a love story, but that’s not really how I think of it. “ I’m pretty sure this opening paragraph will change as the novel progresses. Had to get something down to kick it off, though.
4. Here is the final paragraph of the novel so far: “I’d like to say I put my arm around her and comforted her, but like I said earlier, I promised to be honest with you. So, I told her to be quiet and stop shaking like a baby. It was mean, I know, but I was shaken up pretty bad too.”
5. A few other tidbits going on so far: in the first two chapters, we hear about a dead love interest, two dead parents, a dead duck, and a red-haired nemesis named Lonnie Hamler who is still very much alive. Things are looking grim for Tim-0.
How did his parents die? Who is Tim talking two at the end of Chapter 2? What’s the point of killing off his love interest in the first chapter? Did Lonnie Hamler kill the duck? You’ll find out this December, when Untitled Novel becomes Untitled (but Finished) Novel. By then, I may even have a title. I’m told a belly full of turkey meat can do wonders for the imagination.
