It’s surprising me.
Characters are doing unexpected things and I’ve got a new a character who insisted on joining in the fun. It’s a pre-adolescent and neither male nor female. It insists that it’s important to the story.
I decided to parallel NaNoWriMo which means that I’ve committed myself to 50,000 words before the month is up. I’m keeping pace so far and I’m grateful for that, too.
My husband is very supportive. When I told him I was writing a novel he responded with a fist pump and a hearty “About time!”
I thought 50,000 words was good in that it represents 1,000 words for every year of my life. I’m grateful to say this got me thinking about my memoir. My next project should be 1,000 words about every year of my life. Whether I do it or not it sounds like a great exercise. And I’m grateful to get the writing juices flowing again.
Meanwhile, novel writing has put almost everything else on hold including freelance work and the contemplation of deeper meanings.
This brings me to the question posed by today’s photo.
I’d be grateful for any insight you might have.
Why?
For the love of all that hops and purrs, why is this chicken crossing the road?
Why?
22 comments:
Im with the husband :)
and this post wholly reminds me why I adore writing fiction.
methinks there are a bunch of characters waiting out there for me this november too.
Mizfit, thanks for the support.
I'm sure there are many characters lurking about just waiting to pounce.
dfLeah - I've said it before and I'll say it again. Woohoo! Good for you for finally getting into the fiction with both feet.
And as to that chicken? "Ours is not to question why, ours is but to do or die....."
Thanks, dfBag Lady. I bet that's exactly what that chicken is thinking.
df Leah,
I am so excited for you. Writing fiction is so freeing.
And speaking of free: This chicken is crossing the road because he can. No traffic, no impediments just a clear road with plenty of time to amble. JUST LIKE WRITNG FICTION! (Oops! I shout when I get excited.)
Congrats on your wordage. I am lagging behind in Nano but hope to catch up.
Terrie
I started writing a novel once--life intervened but I did get about half-way through and then time caught up with me and the plot got irrelevant.
But the same thing happened! It's like characters are out there in the ether, and if you start dreaming fiction, they sense the opening and come flying in. Amazing. And they do things you never expected them to do, once they're in.
I'm glad you're doing this! I remember having so much fun writing that I would bounce out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to write some before work. Me, the morning slug.
Good luck with it, and let us know how it turns out.
dfTerrie - Thanks. Ah the chicken symbolizes my writing. Well, it is a wild chicken. And they are tasty. And this one was running free. All good. It's all good. I know you'll catch up on the words, df Terrie.
Most excellent luck headed your way on it.
Hello Melissa - and thanks for your support.
Life has that way about it. Kicks up a fuss at the dangdest times. I love the way you described the characters coming in. That's exactly it.
I have every intention of driving my blog buddies to distraction with my writing updates.
Good luck on the writing! And yay for the hubby's support...the chicken is on the way to encourage you, of course!!
Thanks, Missicat. So, I'm hearing an encouraging bird?
That's a great sign when the characters act on their own. Be sure you don't give them too much free rein or they'll run off every which-way and you won't have a plot. Just keep nudging them gently in the direction they need to go and write what happens.
Fiction writing is such a wonderful escape. You can be someone else, somewhere else, doing, thinking, and feeling things that just aren't easy to do in your ordinary life. Adventure without risk. Travel without danger. Luxury without bills. Love with only fictional heartaches and a happy ending always within your grasp.
Yeah, who wouldn't want that? And you're still home for dinner every night! :-)
Yes, Bunnygirl, my characters could off on on all kinds of tangents. I appreciate your advice. I need all I can get.
It really is excitement and adventure without having to worry about the consequences in the real world.
And best of all, if something isn't working it gets cut.
"So, I'm hearing an encouraging bird?"
This sounds you're also writing a song.. Home on the Free Range - where seldom is heard an encouraging bird..
Sorry. :)
Good for you for plunging in. I'm happy for you, Leah.
Thanks, Leah, I am feeling the good luck vibes heading my way. Terrie
Hilary, thanks. But I think the words should be "...alwasy is heard.."
Leah, that's marvelous you're writing a novel! Good luck with it. And yay for supportive hubbies! :)
I love when characters do unexpected things, and especially when a new character walks onto the scene only to have pieces fall magically in place around him or her. :) That happened in the novel I'm working on now. It's been the most challenging story I've written, and it continues to surprise me.
Hmmm, I think the chicken is crossing the road because it's feeling adventurous!
TL, thanks. Characters can be darned surprising. This one is quite a talker. I guess it is showing me that I can write dialogue or maybe I should learn how to.
Good for you! I've always suspected you had some wonderful fiction in you. Nice of you to let it out.
(no, I can't stay off the computer, but I am trying to limit myself)
Thanks, Reb. Fiction, yes. Wonderful? Remains to be seen.
The chicken is crossing the road because she can't WAIT to see what happens next in the book (the next chapter is on the other side)
Sounds like you're making fantastic progress!
TA x
LOL! TA thanks for the support. I shall do my best to not disappoint the chicken.
Hey Leah- Congrats on your personal NaNo! I also think your memoir idea is cool.
I'm fattening up my own word counts on cotton-candy clouds of your vicarious verbiage. (14 there already!)
The chicken is crossing the road to follow the herd of cats, I mean, your characters.
Hello Clare, thanks. If I have anything left in the tank in December I might try out my memoir idea.
The chicken is bringing up the rear. Good chicken.
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