Meg Dowell Writes

We’re currently nine hours away from the NaNoWriMo kickoff.

Did you hear that? NINE HOURS. I have nine hours to finish my outline, do character sheets, finish my character sketches (I like to draw them before I write about them. It’s a process) and do the homework that I’m not going to get done tomorrow. Don’t you think it would have been a good idea to get some of this done yesterday, when all I did after ten o’clock was pace around my room, thinking through my plot?

The good news is, Evie brought me two pounds of Twizzlers last night, so I’m pretty much covered snack-wise until next weekend. Did you know the packages are re-closable now for freshness? That’s what it says on the package. It’s sitting on my desk. It’s horrible. I can SMELL them.

I’m almost afraid to start writing. Not because I haven’t already fallen in love with the story, but because this is ME we’re talking about. Once I get started, I can’t stop. The story just unravels itself in my head, and I can’t get it out until it’s on paper. And sometimes I don’t have access to paper, like in the middle of gym class or at church. Which means I’m going to drive myself completely crazy.

Aren’t I crazy already? I mean, I’m doing this thing, aren’t I? 

I’m really going to miss reading. Because, during NaNo, there just isn’t time. You have to spend every spare moment you have writing. If you don’t, you have absolutely no hope of reaching 50,000 words by November 30th. November has enough distractions already. I mean, with Thanksgiving, and all that time you’re basically required to spend with your family, you could lose up to four days of writing time, if you don’t want to hide in a corner with your laptop and hot chocolate. I sure don’t.

This was a really bad time for my English teacher to have us set a reading goal for the quarter. I’m pretty sure I set mine at 900 pages, or something like that, which means I’m going to have a lot of reading to do in December and over Christmas break. But that’s okay, as long as I get to write my novel first.

I’m off to finish my outline! Happy Halloween, and remember: you still have time to sign up for NaNoWriMo, if my ranting has somehow inspired you. It feels good to be crazy sometimes.

Love&hugs, Meg♥