I ended up getting to the Tattered Cover NaNoWriMo write-in today. In fact, the community rep was unable to attend, and I ended up being the guy that three different people came over and asked, “Are you the NaNoWriMo group?” — which was kind of odd, but there you go.
We ended up with six people while I was there (2:30-4:30). It was nice — we chatted a little bit and socialbly, but, really, everyone was there to work on their novel.
I ended up with another 2200 words, which pleased me well. Plus, I didn’t get to, let alone through, where I thought I was going to (quel surprise), so I have more to write tomorrow.
I am, of course, a horrible introvert, so the whole “gather together to write together” thing still feels unnatural (Goethe wrote, “Nothing will change the fact that I cannot produce the least thing without absolute solitude,” and I tend to believe him). But the write-ins have been enjoyable, and I find myself looking forward to the next.
I am surprised that the dialog today took as long as it did, and ran into a direction — how much has the protagonist been manipulated — that I had not considered before today.
It remains remarkable to me how the characters (or the brain manipulating the characters) goes beyond conscious thought.
I broke 30K today. Amazing. In some ways, this NaNoWriMo iteration is going far easier (thus far) than either of my previous endeavors. I’m not sure why that is, or how it will extend beyond the end of the month (as what I have planned almost certainly will, being almost half there), but it’s an interesting ride.
The write-in folks asked about how K was doing. Alas, we did not get any writing done (again) today. I need to take more responsibility to make sure that happens.
5 Comments To "Saturday notes"
#1 Comment By Avocet On 15-Nov-09 @ 2:57am
If I had to guess, I’d say it’s going easily because you’re writing about a character you’ve “known” for some five years. You’re somewhat used to his “voice.”
Now, to make the novel a complete success, what’s really needed (I’m sure you’ll agree) is a cameo appearance by the Avocet! 😀
#2 Comment By Dave On 16-Nov-09 @ 10:26pm
That’s quite possibly true. And, of course, in many ways Graham was a reflection of me, which makes the voice even easier. And more seductively dangerous, since the last thing I want is to write a Mary Sue novel. I want the character to stand on his own.
I’ll take an appearance by the Avocet under advisement. I’ve actually been surprised (and somewhat pleased) that there’s been fairly little super-hero involvement in the novel thus far. That may be changing soon.
#3 Comment By Avocet On 17-Nov-09 @ 1:49am
I have noticed that this isn’t a “spandex” story. It doesn’t read like a session of CoH, but like fanfic (and not slash, either!). I wouldn’t really expect an Avocet appearance to fit the story. If his name came up at all, it would be when Graham (may I call him Graham?) was relating an experience to something that happened in the Consortium years ago. Even that doesn’t seem too likely. Of course, if birds should happen to figure into the story…
You know who reminds me of you more than Psiclone does? Calvin’s dad. Seriously. I can’t read his dialogue without thinking of you.
#4 Comment By Dave On 17-Nov-09 @ 9:14am
Well, I do enjoy doing the “Calvin’s Dad” bits where he feeds Calvin an improbable story (usually concluded with Calvin’s Mom shouting at him from off-panel). Like how they weight-rate bridges, or why old photos are black and white, or the Kmart Blue Light Special bit.
That’s a bit of fatherhood I learned from C&H.
#5 Comment By Dave On 17-Nov-09 @ 9:15am
There will be, at some point, some spandex, btw. And not happily.