National Novel Writing Month 2008

Yep, I’m starting a bit late.

I won it in 2006 with my novel Via De Luna, starting on time but taking the entirety of Week 2 off. I can still remember the loopy hilarity of the last days—living on party trays, Diablo merlot, and Starbucks Doubleshot coffee drinks (sometimes simultaneously).

I wrote the story on my aged Powerbook, working at an Ikea Jerker desk I’d bought while living in Richmond. I wore black fingerless gloves with purple and blue stars, that I think I bought at Hot Topic. Wordcount wars with other participants, writing sprints, and write-ins at a local bookstore were what pushed me over the top…with 50,219 words.

I kept sane with the NaNoIsms typo forum, and internet radio. Listening to techno at dawn, skating over plot holes, half-hungover and half-wired…what a way to spend a month.

Last year, illness and a breakup kept me from even registering.

That made this year’s NaNo so important. The election, and its aftermath, have stolen half my month already, though. But I work best when I’m coming from behind, anyway.

This year, I’m working at my beat-up old metal desk, writing on a Powerbook that’s soon to be replaced with a new Macbook. The Diablo’s the same, as is the internet radio; I hope to attend at least one local write-in this weekend, and I’m counting on wordcount sprints again.

The fingerless gloves are black fishnet.

I’m two years older, a bit slower and deeper. I’ve had my heart broken, again. I’ve strengthened my position in life, and come up with some cheeky plot twists. Let’s see if I can pull this off…

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