A NOVEL Idea

It’s almost embarrassing to admit this, but I’ve been slowly working on my first novel for far too long. This morning as I sat in my burgundy recliner with my feet being warmed by the heat of the wood stove, an idea popped into my head - I wonder what motivation I could create for myself IF I added a section to the blog about the solitary adventure of writing something consisting of more than 1,000 words.

The ego, sitting on my right shoulder says, “Huh, like anyone’s going to read it. They’ll just laugh at ya ‘cause this crazy book dream has been in the works for over three years. Who gives a crap? Besides, shouldn’t you be doing the dishes? What about the dirty laundry? Ya know, I think it would be time better spent if you were to reorganize something; say your pantry for instance. Hey, isn’t there something good to watch on television? You could be missing an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s ‘No Reservations’ you haven’t seen yet.”

The instant the badgering ego pauses to take in a breath, angelic chimes ring softly from my left shoulder and it’s Amanda, my higher self. The one who knows what’s best for me; the voice I trust the most; the inspiration when creativity ‘has left the building’. Softly, and without hesitation, Amanda whispers, “I love you, and you can do this. There are others going through the same process and it’ll help them to witness someone enduring the same struggle succeed. You’ll build a following of supporters that’ll encourage you to keep going in the blank-page-syndrome times and, most likely, buy your novel when it hits the store bookshelves. I say, put it out there if you believe it will motivate you and help establish a novel-writing-routine.”

“Break it down,” a friend said to me. “Don’t stare at the finish line and overwhelm yourself with the amount of work before you. When you make bite-size goals, you can accomplish anything your heart desires.”

It is true, there are other writers out there seeking inspiration and ways to stay motivated. Heck, I’m one of them. So far, I have written the prologue and thirty-seven chapters plus one written too early for where I am in the story line (it’s currently titled ‘thirty-something). I know the direction of the story, meaning I know the ending and the twists and turns to get me there, but it’s committing to the time of putting it on paper that’s been the challenge. It seems like there are other things that need to be done first before I sit down to the computer and not-waste an hour or two or three.

Armed with intent, my goal is to report to you the progress of the novel. I want to see this book to the last period ending the final sentence. It is my dream, and I’m not embarrassed to admit it.

Word count as of 8:44am October 12, 2009: 56,564 words