I’m attempting NaNoWriMo this year.
Even though I am exhausted.
Even though my anxiety is clearly still an issue – I spent all night having nightmares about being late for work (because we had a home visit euthanasia scheduled first thing in the morning) and then woke to Owl going “eight! Eight there, Mommy!” and exploding out of bed in a panic because it was 8:15 and I had to be at work in 30 minutes (by some miracle, Owl was highly cooperative and I actually made it).
Even though I may be picking up two new dog training clients this weekend and am experiencing so much anxiety about it that it makes me wonder why I do it.
Even though Owl’s sleep has fallen apart again and we’re having to make a formal sleep training plan again.
Even though we’re planning on potty training him soon.
Because I have had this story idea for almost a year, and I need something like NaNoWriMo to push me into actually writing it.
I’m hoping you guys like the idea – it’s a parody of Twilight, only featuring a heavy-set, intelligent, self-condident girl who moves to the big city of Vancouver and ends up in a relationship with a devoted undead servant, who considers her wish to be his command.
Basically, it’s Twilight the way I think it should have been written.
With zombies.
Here’s an excerpt from what I wrote yesterday. It’s the opening preface:
Healthy young people don’t expect to die young, and I am not any different in that respect. When we do fear death, though, it tends to come in nightmarish forms – the monsters under your bed, the thing in the closet. Now here I stood, fearing death from the kind of terrifying, ravening monsters that haunt people in nightmares. Except that I was awake, and this was real, and I could very well be killed in a disgustingly gory way.
Maybe I should have gained some comfort from the fact that I was loved. Beloved. Adored. Worshipped, even. When you are in love, you are supposed to hold hands, and face death with serene acceptance. Maybe we could share a dramatic kiss as we died in the tradition of star crossed lovers everywhere.
“Fuck that shit,” I said as my chainsaw sputtered and then began to roar. “Let’s slice off some heads.”
—
What do you think?
If By Yes 
LOVE. I like that the language has a little bit of a Victorian lilt to it, so that the last part is fun surprise.
I’m going to try it too, although I’m sort of “cheating.” Last year I “won”, but I didn’t like the whole second half of my story, so I’m going to scrap that portion and start over mid-way through. I actually don’t know if it has 50,000 words in it, but I’m so busy that it will be great motivation.
My story is for middle school aged children, and it’s kind of a steampunk science fantasy about bubble universes. I’m tired of so many fantasy novels for older children being sort of twee and Britishy and about magic (which I actually love, but c’mon – is that all there is?), so I wanted to write something that’s based in real scientific ideas. Also involves the influenza epidemic of 1918 and relativity. So, you know, something super marketable 🙂
Personally, I find that when I write every day, it actually helps my anxiety.
Ooh, sounds awesome!
I’d but that book just off what you’ve written thus far. Sounds fab. You write with great fluidity. I haven’t gotten very far with my NaNoWriMo Novel, but I finally started the blog (I mentioned on the DoCo) that I’ve been putting off! But ugh, the first post is so pathetic, I’ve half a mind to delete it!
First posts suck. Did you see my first post? What’s your blog address?
Oops, I was focusing too much on getting my address right (that’s a big of a worry) that I forgot to say that I’d be interested to hear what you think if you do get a chance to check it out
Sounds like an awesome idea! This is my first year in a long time not doing NaNo. I’m kind of sad, but mostly I know I need a break. I don’t have an awesome idea and my last two years were kind of blah for NaNo so I think I need some time off. I hope that you find your writing cathartic 🙂
Awesome! I’m really looking forward to reading it! I hope the universe cuts you some slack in the meantime.
I want to read more! 😀
Watch out, I may hold you to that if I try to publish it later :p
I’d be honoured and delighted! 😀
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