Time for Bed

Well, I’ve reached 3351 words and I’m ready for bed. I’m just barely on pace for 50,000 words.  I’m happy with my output so far, though I’m less pleased with the quality of today’s writing compared to yesterday.  I’m at a part of the story where not much is happening, other than Art is on his way toward finding Goldenrod’s house.

For those reading my excerpts you may be wondering after all my talk of fairy tales, where the fairy creatures are.  Don’t worry, I’m getting there.

Oh, I also have a question.  Has anyone read Mason & Dixon by Thomas Pynchon? I picked it up a while ago, but have never felt the urge to read it.  I’m thinking about giving it away via BookMooch, but I thought I’d see if any of you have an opinion of it.

Pirate Picture

As promised, and as a thank you/punishment for all of you who continue to read what I write here, here is a picture of me in my pirate Halloween costume. I’m holding my daughter’s Hello Kitty Halloween basket. The picture was taken in my living room. If you look behind me on the left you’ll see what used to be our DVD tower, which is now our daughter’s bookshelf. She has taken over, I swear!

I’m hesitant to post this picture for a few reasons. One is that you all have a mental picture of me through my writing that will forever be altered once you see the “real me”. I’m not really a garden gnome (my avatar). Secondly, I look like I’m 12 years old. I’m 30, I swear! Finally, I’m not one who likes to say, “look at me!”, which I guess is funny for someone to say who has been writing about himself on a blog for a couple years.

Also note those things on my forehead aren’t symbiotic caterpillars attacking my face. Those are my real eyebrows. I can’t help it. I’m Greek (American).

Anyhow, it’s a funny picture. I hope I haven’t scared any of you away or changed your opinion of me. Yes, I did walk into my boss’s office dressed like this. 🙂

NaNoWriMo Excerpt 2

I’m very happy with my NaNoWriMo writing thus far, which is saying a lot because I started yesterday feeling as though I should just give up pretending to be a writer. Yes, I really thought that. Us writers are a sensitive lot.

Today is better. I’ve completed an entire chapter, something I have never done before. I have done plenty of flash fiction and short stories, but never anything as real as a complete chapter of a novel. I’m happy. It’s only 1,800 words, but that can always be expanded.

Also, it’s not crap. I can’t bring myself to just write crap. It may not all be worded perfectly, but it’s more than just a bunch of words pasted together. There’s a story there.

Now for the setup of our second excerpt. We’re still in the car, and our main character, Arthur King (around 14 years old), is talking with his brother Lance (12 years old) about things boys talk about. Comic book characters. I’m trying to show with this dialog the relationship between the boys and have the reader care about them. The funny is that with all my planning, the character of Lance didn’t exist until I started writing. Now he’s going to be a major part of the plot.

Here is today’s excerpt:

“Who do you think would win in a fight between Batman and Spider Man?” said Lance, a few minutes later, as if nothing had happened. Little brothers are resilient like that.

“Could never happen,” answered Art. “Batman is from DC Comics and Spider Man is from Marvel. I think they tried it once a while ago, but neither company really wanted to show their guy losing. It was a tie I guess.”

“Oh,” said Lance after some time. “But if they did, who do you think would win?”

Art sighed, knowing his brother wouldn’t leave him alone until he gave a proper answer. “I suppose it depends on the situation. If Batman gets all his gadgets, it’s no contest. He would certainly have thought of some special weapon to take advantage of Spider Man’s weakness.”

“Spider Man would have his web shooters, though,” said Lance, pretending to shoot webs from his hands.

“That’s what I’m saying,” answered Art. “If they both get weapons, Batman would have an anti-web force field or clothes that keep webs from sticking to them. Batman still wins.”

“No weapons, then,” said Lance. “Spidey wins then, right?”

“It’s still tricky,” replied Art. “Batman was trained by all those Asian dudes in the mountains. He knows how to fight.”

“Spidey has the spider strength, though,” said Lance. “I think he would win.”

“What if Batman snuck up on him, though?” asked Art.

The car was quiet for a while after that. Finally Lance replied softly, “You really know a lot of stuff, Art.”

Their parents looked at each other and smiled.

Have I mentioned I’m really happy? Well, I am. I feel like a read writer today. That’ll probably last until I hit my next road block and feel like giving up. Luckily you all are here to encourage me.