When I started this blog, I dropped phrases like "boot camp" and "write often". That hasn't worked out well, so far; the discipline implied by "boot camp" has been noticeably lacking, and the integrity of the word "often" would be dangerously stressed should I attempt to apply it to the frequency of my entries.
Then, today, I picked up a book by Chris Baty titled
No Plot? No Problem! Baty, for those unfamiliar with his work, founded
National Novel Writing Month. "NaNoWriMo", in essense, challenges any willing participant to start writing on November 1st, and have 50,000 words of prose completed by November 31st. It's suicidial, clearly insane, and most (in excess of 3/4 of all participants) fail. Yet that didn't stop 79,000 people from flinging themselves headlong into the hopeful void last year.
Yeah, I'm gonna do it.
The finished work will probably be crap (Baty assures his readers that it will be), but it'll be a completed work of fiction. Should I fail to reach the 50k plateau, please mock me in the most creative and belittling terms possible. Chances are, if you're reading this, I actually give a crap about your opinion, so avoiding your scorn is a potent motivator.
Below, for all to witness, is the official NaNoWriMo contract, signed and dated by yours truly:
I'll try to post excerpts from time to time. Wish me luck.
--Ray
P.S. I know there at least a couple of creative types reading this. If anybody else wants to sign on for this kamikazee mission, I could use the company.
SELF-PROMOTION: Tease the electees with tees from Electease!