NaNoWriMo: I may have to kill someone

I'm up to 42,278 words. Only five more days to go.

Things in my story have become a bit placid, so I'm thinking it may be time for someone else to die. It has been a while since there's been any blood and/or gore, and it's a sure way to get things moving.

Hmm.

Of course, a kidnapping would work just as well, as would a love scene. I don't know, though. Blood and gore don't really faze me, but writing a love scene might cause problems. Did young people in the 1800s have sex? Well, obviously they did, or we wouldn't be here, right? What I mean is, did they really roll in the hay or was their world more like that of Twilight -- all deep, soulful glances and no action?

Maybe I'll just start writing and see what happens. I'm finding that what the NaNo founder said is absolutely true: Your writing will take you places you had no idea you'd go. I'm finding this whole process is much less onerous that I was afraid it would be. Turns out I can bang out 1,600+ words in less than an hour, easy.

I write at the super-awesome built-in desk my brother built for me. Sitting in my $25 wheelie chair from IKEA, I just lean forward, rest my forehead against the bottom of the first shelf, close my eyes, and put the pedal to the metal. (I'll say it again: Learning to touch type was the single most valuable skill I gained in high school. Bar none.) I just let the characters talk and it's almost like taking dictation. Naturally, I don't worry about spelling, punctuation, or any of that; that all waits for phase 2.

News you can use: If you ever want to stomp your muse flat, then try writing and editing at the same time. Trust me. You'll be blocked worse than if you ate a chunk of cheese as big as your head.

Time to go start making pumpkin pie. I also need to give that turkey a poke. I have a feeling that it's not thawing at all. Maybe I should have moved it from the freezer to the fridge last month.

Happy thanksgiving tomorrow to all, and happy birthday today to SpecialEd!