It's getting to be that time of year again... Some people get depressed when the weather changes and the days grow shorter... I tend to find myself in the opposite predicament. Suddenly, I am Absolutely Certain that I will succeed at everything I try, that I am an amazing artist and writer, and that I should Do Something About It.
So.
Let's just overload our schedule, shall we?
First, it's NaNoWriMo time again... that is, National Novel Writing Month in November.
Last year I won. I wrote 54-odd thousand words in 30 days. I made promises to my imaginary friends (my fellow bloggers) to allow a select few to read and edit the thing.
And then I quietly never mentioned it again and hoped no one would ask.
It was...
Not good.
But I did it. I wrote a novel! In a month!
This year I am planning. I have a plot (I KNOW, right? A plot?). I have characters I already love, and a few that I hate. And one that terrifies me.
I have a setting... where it's cold and dark and airless. Where the world ended, but everyone tried to pretend it didn't.
I am terribly, terribly excited about it.
I am going to write another novel! This November! And this one should be something I can share with others!
A few days ago, I also found this:
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| http://terribly.deviantart.com/art/30-DAY-ART-CHALLENGE-330788048 |
Draw a picture every day? That sounds like a good idea, doesn't it?
I know! I'll do it in November! Because I won't have enough to do!
So.
Yes.
So... I'll be posting my progress, pictures, and the eventual collapse of my psyche.
Sounds fun, right?
Oh, and here's an octopus.
Sounds fun, right?
Oh, and here's an octopus.
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| Because octopuses (yes, that is the correct plural) are cool. |
31 comments:
You can do it. Did you know that in Van Gogh's short, 7 year career, he averaged 300 painting a year?
Octopuses ARE cool. Beyond cool. And that really is the correct plural, even if octopi would be ever so much more cooler. Good luck with the writing and drawing thing.
So, this writing contest. How much pre-work are you allowed, in the sense of creating a plot (Only 7 of them, how hard can it be?) characters, situations, an ending, and all that other writerly stuff? Is it all Jake as long as you don't actually write any of it down before the contest?
Me and all your other readers are expecting the wells of creativity to be overflowing, bursting the bounds of the blog. Yeah. I'm glad I made you laugh.
Jeremy Bates: I had no idea, actually... which is weird considering my Van Gogh obsession in the 8th grade.
I am looking forward to doing this... I have a feeling I would be more productive if I were not sitting in a little cubicle every day, but I'll work with what I have.
Keith: Yay! Someone who likes octopuses besides me!
The contest is done on the honor system, and you can do as much pre-work as you like. The big thing is that they want you to finish 50,000 words in November. Some people plan, some people just dive in (which is what I did last year).
And there should be geysers of creativity next month. I plan to do a one paragraph journal entry every day. So.. either creativity or possibly descent into madness. Either way: more posts!
I regect opctopuses and embrace octopii.
Also, I like this idea. Now you have to do it.
Good for you! I believe in you and think you will do it. Not just do it . . . excel in it!!
I think that drawing contest/challenge was made for you. Look at what you whipped up just thinking about it!
((Psst, I have not forgotten the lost manuscript of non-editing. I just didn't wanna bug you about it. Can I edit this one?))
sweet!
I participated in Nonowrimo. . . which was. . . No. . . no I'm not writing this month. I'll probably do it again this year.
The drawing thing seems fun, but with all the detail and time you put into your drawings, will you really have time?
Chelle: I figure that once we figure out how to communicate with the mighty octopii, they will let us know what to call them, plural or otherwise (I'm guessing it will be "master" or something along those lines).
Misty: Yes, you can edit this one. And this one should be readable. I can even promise to let you see the rough draft before I do any editing (although it may be pretty sad) just so I am accountable this year. I have high hopes.
Jim: Last year, NaNoWriMo took about an hour to an hour and a half a day. Drawing a single piece like the octopus takes about the same amount of time, so it's doable. Also, when I get stuck writing, I can work on the drawing or vice versa.
OR, I will be making stick figures by the end of the month. :) The writing will be taking priority.
You're awesome! Can't wait to see all the drawings and read the book.
Looking forward to your book and love the octopus, your drawings are amazing!
Sounds so fun!! (Collapse of the psyche notwithstanding)
KK and UK: I expect some free editing from you! I'll pay you in acknowledgements. :)
But, you know, only if you want to. If you really loved me.
JnetRuns: Thank you so much for saying! It is much harder for me to SHARE what I draw than to draw anything!
MakingSpace: Sometimes, a complete mental collapse is the ONLY way to survive the holidays.
I'm totally looking forward to another awesome NaNoWriMo this year. Gonna hopefully make it five for five. And ML for the local area. And podcast daily. And maybe start a new full-time job Nov 1st.
Wahoooooooooooo, overscheduling!
Love the octopus! I am doing NaNo for the first time this year. I'm equal parts excited and wondering what the hell I was thinking.
Wishing you a very successful November!!
Zach: Sounds like you got bitten by the overscheduling bug, too! Luck to both of us!
Tia: You can do it! Just write every single day. :) It will be awesome... something I will never regret doing!
Can you add me to your list of imaginary friends who get to read your book?
Mine will be about the end of the world. Again. I'm so predictable.
Stephanie: Mine's ALSO about the end of the world...kind of. Or after the end of the world. Something like that. NOT post apocalyptic, though.
And yes. You get to. I am making a list. As long as you promise to not think less of me because of it. :)
Drawing AND NaNoWriMo? Girl, you be crazee!
I like the idea of fellow bloggers being imaginary friends. It makes so much sense now. Decartes would have a field day. Does that mean we've imagined each other into existence?
OMG, this is getting way too heavy for a Tuesday morning. Back to my cave.
Lol @Nagzilla.
Octopussssses there is pretty freakin' sweet. You'd best be watermarking that stuff.
I would like to write a book. A true one. About PTSD. But whenever I start, I lose interest and stop and feel like a failure.
I do believe, though, that you WILL succeed at ALL THE THINGS!
Nagzilla: Yes, I was TOTALLY thinking about Descartes when I was talking about my imaginary friends.
StephanieC: Oh yeah. Watermarking. I will have to do that going forward, you're right. Easier to attribute that way... You should write an easy book about... dogs? What dogs do when people aren't around? WHen they disappear and then sneak back to where they were originally and you SWEAR they weren't there a minute ago through a crack in the universe...?
I would think a first novel should be fun. But that's me.
And thanks... It's going to be rough. And awesome. Seems like I get more done when I feel like I have less time to do everything.
I think NanoWriMo is so exciting...and so scary. Which is fine I just watch as other people like you do. Good luck!
Thoughtsy: You know you want to try it. You could even put in some pop-tarts (there aren't nearly enough books that talk about pop-tarts).
Yeah it's octopuses, you're right. I used to call them octopussies until one of them squirted black ink at me. Have you seen Japanese paintings with octopuses in them?
Gorilla Bananas: I have not. But I guess I know what I will be looking for next on the internet. :)
And I think octopussies is a perfectly acceptable plural of octopus. I will start using it all the time now.
That is a nice octopus. A very nice octopus. Also, I'm impressed by the November ambition! Looking forward to all the pictures. I almost feel inspired to start a project of my own sorts.. if only I didn't enjoy being lazy so much...
The NaNoWriMo is a great idea. I'm a strong believer in deadlines as motivation. At least for me.
It would be fun to do it but I can barely keep up with my hygiene, let alone write a novel in a month. Good luck!
P.S. Cool octopus!
Izzy Mason: Thanks! I majored in Procrastination in college, with a minor in Lazy, so I get it. It seems like I can only do anything when the amount I have to do reaches critical. So I'm making that the goal.
Christian: NaNoWriMo is pretty awesome, actually... and I hate showers anyway. No, really. I hate getting wet. Now I have a real excuse to avoid it.
I wonder if I should put up warning signs.
I found your blog via Creative Devolution and let me say - I love it! Your drawings are AWESOME! I wish I could draw well, but I can't. I try really hard but everything I do comes out looking like a 3 year old did it (even if I spend hours trying).
So happy to have stumbled across your page. I intend on visiting again.
(Wanna see bad art? Come see me at www.abouthalfabubbleoff.blogspot.com)
I think I'm gonna do a lot of stuff too....just as soon as I get caught up on my nappin'. Of course at my age you don't make long term plans...like watchin' a continued TV show.
Good luck with all your adventures. Just remember to enjoy the ride becuase it can be more fun than the destination.
Elizabeth: I'll check it out. I love finding new blogs. And thank you!
Bo Lumpkin: Napping is a good time, too, you know. Maybe you can do a "nap challenge" or "TV marathon" or something like that. :)
Can't wait to see some November artwork and read what you've written, if you'll let me. Sounds like an awesome setting!
Youngman: The drawing thing has fallen way, way behind, but I am WAY ahead with the writing. Book will be done come December, and a but bigger than 50,000 words.
I will let you read if I can hire you as a (free) cheap editor. I will give you a free red pen and a print of arts.
And you would have to promise to still respect me after reading an unedited rough draft that will have a lot of problems.
Either that, or you can wait until I am DONE editing the thing, because I intend to put it up for free on the internets as well as e-book and paper copies. But that might be a few months. :)
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