Day 30.

Today is the day. After last night's burst of creativity, I woke up a bit late and went to class. Once there, the muse hit me over the head again, and I started banging out words. I came home and almost immediately went to it, writing down as much as I could, and as of approximately five minutes ago, I've got a novel on my hands.

That's right, my word count is 50045 and the novel is finished. I'm so excited and I don't know what to do with myself. I know I'll reward myself somehow, but I just don't know how. Ahh!

As for this blog, I'll be keeping it around. I've got to check on my production somehow, eh? I'll continue to adapt the format as I see fit until I can settle into a rhythm of production and cool advice or quotes.

But for the present, I'm going to be taking a break from writing. I've got 50,000 words to edit soon, but I feel like I've got to take at least a week to cool down from the marathon that was NaNoWriMo.

Day 29.

I know that it's technically day 30 by the time I write this, but it's been a long day 29, so don't blame me for the tardiness. I didn't write anything until about five hours ago when I wrote about five hundred words. Then about an hour and a half ago I decided to go as far as I liked tonight. I wrote my first romantic/erotic scene, and ended up exactly where I had planned tonight. My word count is a crisp 47,292 at the moment.

There's only one more day left, and I'm terribly thrilled. I've never finished a NaNoWriMo before or a novel. I don't know what in the hell I'm going to do, but it's going to be rest for sure. I'll think about that when I get to it, though. It's important that I finish tomorrow's word count, otherwise I won't have any reason to celebrate.

Day 28.

This novel truly is an albatross. I've been back and forth this past week. My wrists are a bit sore, but it is probably just paranoia.

My word count is 44,605.

Oy. I've got a couple more days, then I'm done. Eep.

Day 27.

I'm astounded. Today, I hit the tipping point. It's that mystical point where the rest of the novel fits into place, when the rest of the world gives you inspiration to finish, and when you know your excitement will now throw you downhill for the rest of the noveling experience.

I'm terribly excited about being done with this novel, and having my first one under my belt. Thank goodness. Today's word count: 41,791. Intense, huh?

Day 26.

At the beginning of the day, I discovered that I had to write 13,694 words before I would reach my 50,000-word quota. Dividing that into five days, I found that I'll have to write 2,739 words per day. Oy.

It's a bit more difficult than the regular word count, but I find that I work better with a quota than a binge on the weekend. I reached 39,073 words today, and I feel comfortable with sailing on into the night. The tipping point has been reached, and I think I see the closing of my novel coming soon. Thank goodness for boring classes in which I can plot my novel.

Write on!

Break.

For the last few days, I've been traveling to and from Dallas. Thanksgiving was wonderful down in Texas with my uncles, my grandmother, and my boyfriend. They all got along very nicely, which I'm very happy about. After a bunch of art museums, a heft few meals, and a there-and-back train ride, I'm ready to resume noveling.

I simply couldn't write while I was on vacation. I don't know what it was, but the drive wasn't there. Perhaps it was because both of my typical writing environments were gone. The first being the idyllic quiet peace and the second being the wonderful cacophony of my nights with television and roommate sounds. I didn't think missing the latter would really affect me, but it did. Harumph.

At this moment, my word count stands at 34,684. My regular word count has derailed. I'm supposed to be at 41,667 by the end of today. At this point I plan on just writing in it until Tuesday. I have a huge break on Tuesday that hopefully will lend itself to writing. Go team.

Day 20.

I've reached 33,336 words. I'm a bit worried about the next few days as Pete and I leave tomorrow morning to Dallas for Thanksgiving. Oh dear.

I've got MMORPGamer to write tomorrow and post Thursday on top of the word counts to achieve.

Day 19.

It is the second to last Monday of this month, and I can not believe it. It has truly been an intense month. I feel like I'm very close to the tipping point - that wonderful point where your novel begins to gain momentum down the hill and speed up until it careens through the finish line. Today was a day of writing of hard choices and cliffhangers. Ah, noveling...

I'm feeling great about the writing experience and learning more about myself through it as I figure out what I'm going to do for ends meat. I think I'm going to get a master's degree and then teach and write on the side until I can write full time.

Today's word count stands at 31,671. Intense, huh?

Day 18.

Day 18 is officially over and I can't help but wipe the sweat from my brow. I'm delirious in terms of typing and can't wait to get this blog entry done and wander away from my computer aimlessly and hopelessly. Can you tell that NaNoWriMo has added an overabundance of adverbs to my vocabulary?

My word count is 30,020. I'm 3/5 of the way through. Damn.

Day 17.

This Saturday finds me at an odd place in the novel. One of the main characters has fallen out of the picture, but I'm hoping to use that to build up some suspense for whenever I become entranced with her again. It's just a matter of time. I have full confidence that I'll be able to flesh this book out to a submit-able 80,000 words. But for right now, I'm at a healthy 28,377 words. I could not be happier with that. Now to do laundry.

Day 16.

I've begun to write earlier these last few days. Dvorak is getting worlds better. I'm writing this post in it and I haven't gotten frustrated yet. And that's a feat when it comes to Dvorak.

I'm just past halfway, and I can't believe it. I feel as if the story is crap and falling down around me, but that's NaNo, right?

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that my word count is 26,699.

Day 15.

Finally, I've hit the halfway point in my novel. Everybody's cruising down the road to the final confrontation as promised, and I think I can actually make my last words "the" and "end". My word count stands at an awesome 25,003 and I could not be happier. I'm off to learn french cuisine later on tonight now that I have all of my daily requirements done.

By the way, cruise on down to RPGamer to check out my most recent MMORPGamer and enjoy.

Don't forget to send in feedback for the column.

Cheers. J'aime manger!

Day 14.

My count for today is 23,372. It was a horrible set of words, too.

Today was full of writing, including two papers, a poem, and the MMORPGamer column for tomorrow. That will hit early in the morning, so catch it on RPGamer or later on tomorrow for my daily post.

Oh, and the study of Dvorak is taking longer than expected.

Week two is over. Thank goodness.

Day 13.

The day is nearly over, and NaNo was not very nice to me today.

The eventful day featured a big change in my apartment, but I don't want to say anything just yet. Keep an eye on one of my favorite blogs for details.

Word count stands at 21,671. Go team. Week 2 is almost done!

Day 12.

Today's word count stands at 20,143.

I happily typed those words on the quad without even realizing I had hit my quota.

I'm typing these words completely using Dvorak, an impressive keyboard layout.

Edward Albee was here tonight and I've decided I want to be him when I grow up.

Day 11.

I thought of a catchy tune to go with this day, but the person who would be able to remember it for me is asleep.

Day 11 brings my word count to 18,022. I'm still about 300 words behind, but it's week two, so I'm not all that worried about my slacking.

It's most important to write. Do it. Do it now.

Days 9 and 10.

Last night was an adventure. I got swept up in it and forgot to post. Oops. Thankfully, though, I didn't miss writing my novel. My word count stayed up, and today my word count is...

16378!

I'm almost to the 20,000 mark, and I can't wait. I feel confident about this thing, I can't reiterate that enough.

I also got my AlphaSmart yesterday. That was another reason I was away from the computer. I love my 3000 so much, and I think I'm going to name it Qwerty, after Pete's suggestion, and it does fit it.

Day 8.

Word count: 13342.

I found out a couple hours ago that my AlphaSmart 3000 will be coming in tomorrow afternoon. I can't help but be excited for it. I'm beside myself.

Today I realized the benefit of completing your word count during times when you should be doing something else. I'm not telling you to write during class. You should always pay attention to lecturers. Always.

Oh, and don't forget to check out this week's MMORPGamer, in which I discuss MMOs, of course, and talk a little about NaNo.

Day 7.

11,672.

The word count above is mine. All mine, and I'm astounded.

Ever since I crossed the 10,000 mark I can't help but feel like my story is grander than I'd thought before. I really am unleashing the creative beast and letting it rip a novel from the ether and into being. I'm really excited. There's a ton more to go and I'm not under any delusion that I'm near done - but it's nice to feel more creative. I even wrote a satire and poetry for class.

I'd encourage you to throw something new into your novel. Something weird that you don't usually write. It counts toward your novel and you can edit it out later. In the meantime you give yourself new abilities and new life in the new medium. A ton of "new".

Note: I am of the school that quotation marks are stapled to their words, and that they don't let periods get in the way unless invited. It is a conscious decision. Thank you, and good night.

Day 6 Down, and 10,000 Barrier.

I broke it! The 10,000-word barrier, I mean. I couldn't feel happier about it. I haven't ever beaten it quite this late, but I'm confident with my slow and steady approach this year. Even though I'm not quite as excited as I remember being in former years, the situation boosts my confidence for the rest of the month.

I'm typing in gibberish. Anyway, my AlphaSmart 3000 should be in the mail by now, and I hope to crack it out in Week 2. Go team novelist!

Word Count: 10,064

Day 5!

I'm getting a bit bored and angry at my novel, but that hasn't stopped me from trudging through the beast. I'm beginning to think that something's wrong. Either I don't like the novel or I'm writing at the wrong time. Chris Baty, our almighty leader, has advised us all to look at our own character's answers to the question: "What do you want more than anything?" I will figure that out sometime tomorrow.

I've got a nice set of news stories and one wonderful letter this week for MMORPGamer. That should be a fun piece of work.

I'd like to send out a request. If you're waiting in a line, don't be verbally rude to those in front of you. They waited their turn just as you are doing now. That's all I have to say on the matter.

Word count: 8,372!

Day 4

It is officially day 5, but I promise I finished my word count on day 4 at a crisp 6,670 words. It was too difficult for me to write any more today. Why November? Oy.

I understand it has a great holiday and some awful weather, but I can't help but bear the problems there are with exams and such.

Well, good night everyone. Sleep tight and good luck on word counts.

Day 3 - I can feel it!

So day 3 is over, and I got another late 1,667 words in tonight with my babe. Sure enough, I struggled with it. But, after attempting to log my accomplishments into NaNoWriMo.org - an abysmal failure thanks to web site goblin's - I feel like I might be able to do this. Pete has given me an accountability like none other - don't tell anyone, but I think that I've done the same for him. Who knew?

Anyway, throw a tap-dancing bum into your novel if you find trouble. He doesn't have to tap or mention it in any way. Just the fact that you know he tap dances will suffice. Do it. Do it now!

Day 2

My word count is now 3,334. I finally found the advantage to word wars. I'd had a few of them before, but it's never been as fun or had such fun rewards. Pete and I had a race to see who could get halfway through the quota for today's word count. I won that first race, earning the first sip of Pepsi - dorky and cute, but we were both thirsty. The second was to finish out at 3,334 and the loser had to treat the winner to burritos. I definitely lost, but the experience was fun nonetheless.

So, have yourself a word war with someone. It's fun, I promise.

I totally forgot.

P.S. I totally forgot to mention my latest MMORPGamer column over at RPGamer. It's entitled "Hasty Sci-fi Trees" and can found here or on the link on the sidebar.

Day 1

We've hit ground zero. So far I've written 1,272 words into my 50,000-word novel for NaNoWriMo. I've learned:

Many narcoleptics also suffer from insomnia.

Writing in the morning is hard.

Cafés may not be the best place to write.

Yeah. That last point is too true for me right now. Blurb over. Go team.