Everything Old Is New Again

It's time to NaNo again. National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo as we crazy NaNo people call it) comes around once every November to suck me in. 30 days after I begin, I'll have a shiny new novel (50 thousand words or more) and a sense of accomplishment...not to mention a nice little Pdf printout saying what a "Winner!" I am.

Usually about this time (just under two weeks away from the writing frenzy) I usually have a bunch of ideas running through my head, along with some strong contenders for main characters. Things don't start getting hairy for me until week 2 of NaNo.

Last year, I wasn't able to complete my novel. I was a new-ish mom with a son in the hospital for a few days. (gotta love RSV season) This year, I'm more determined than ever. I must win. I must complete my novel. Or at the bare minimum, I must hit 50k.

So tonight I've been searching through the NaNo site, trying to find inspiration. I usually end up looking through the Adopt-A-Plot section and finding ideas that sound good, but not quite my speed. Usually something sparks an idea, though. Tonight, it sparked weirdness. Screw the idea of a plot or story-line. What I need is a group of characters. So I'm holding interviews. That's right, I'm holding interviews for people who don't exist. (now you see why the blog is titled the way it is)

I'm going to interview, by way of Word documents and eLouai dolls, several candidates for main characters and choose my players. Once I've 'hired' them on, we'll start to discuss what type of story they'd like to participate in. (oooh what kind of writer am I? Ending in a preposition like that...)

Along with that, I have my usual rituals. I'll be watching Buffy, starting with season 1, skipping the craptacular episodes and getting to Band Candy (my favorite episode) around the time that week 2 approaches. That's the time when I need it most. I need to be able to play that episode on repeat a few thousand times, get out of the second week rut, and move forward into week 3.

I'll support my caffeine habit whenever the mood strikes, preferably with Obsidian coffee from Caribou Cafe. I'll indulge in some Asian candies and treats, along with the typical writing fare. (yanno...veggies and dip, Chex mix, the occasional Little Debbie Snack Cake...) Lots of ice water to keep hydrated, and lots of distractions such as web sites, forums, and video games. These are the things that keep me writing.

Smoking used to be a writing staple. Now, I guess I'll just fill that void with long walks outside. Not quite the same, but better for me, for sure.

I'll enter into my NaNo month full of self-doubt, frustration, and a sliver of hope. I'll come out of NaNo with over 50 thousand words, a partial novel, a shiny new Pdf saying I 'won', and a feeling of slight accomplishment.

Now I have to go. There are characters to interview and the first one is getting bitchy.