Word Count: 32K – but who cares, really?
Okay, so have passed the halfway mark.
It’s supposed to get easier this week. And seeing as have 18K to go as opposed to 30K, guess in a way it is.
But now the excitement of story and character and fact that am attempting to write novel has settled, other questions perturb me.
So What? Who Cares? And What Is The Bloody Point?
At least when I post, somebody reads it and some wonderful souls leave comments.
But here I am, slogging away at some novel that have as many chances of seeing light of day as I have of running for Prime Minister of Australia.
Not to mention fact that am talentless, can’t write and well, can’t write.
So I finish Stupid Novel – which as we speak remains title-less – and prove to self can finish Stupid Novel. Big deal.
Will it stop domestic violence and violence in general amongst women?
Will it stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, the H1N1 virus, cure cancer?
Will it help reduce greenhouse emissions?
Will it bring an end to world poverty?
Will it do anything but satisfy my ego?
At least if I had become an accountant, I could have helped innocent tax payers save money and not-so-innocent dodge the tax system.
If I had become a doctor, I could have saved lives or at least write prescriptions for the common cold.
Even if I had become a divorce lawyer, I would have done more helping one person retrieve what’s theirs from the person they believed was the love of their life but turned out to be scum, than I would within the isolation of four walls, crouched over keyboard, banging out words that have no meaning and chances are, will make no difference to immediate environment or people or world in general.
So who cares and what is the goddamn point?
what’s the point of curing a virus when mother nature will simply supply a new one or mutate an existing one? what is the point of writing, beyond writing? {to question + to express, imho}
keep going.
Good point. Thank you.
Oh god, who cares–even more meta than this sucks. Get yer blinders back on, girl, and keep typing (advice I will figure out how to take any minute myself).
Humor! Yes, that’s what I need. Blinders? Think i threw them out with expired milk. Thanks Ann Marie, you keep going too & yeah, heed your own advice, lol.
32,000. Thirty. Two. Thousand. Holy moly, Karen. If we write that many words this year, we just might take next year off.
Take a deep breath, relax, and celebrate what got you started on this journey as well as the impressive milestone you’ve reached. Then survey the landscape, and pick your path forward. We believe in you.
Holy moly, you gals are incredible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Still no idea what I’ve done to deserve your awesome support but… Celebrate – yes. Stop feeling sorry for self – yes. Jessica & Julie believe in me? HOORAH! Getting back to it right now! xoxo
The point of writing Stupid Novel? To challenge and to win victoriously. To hone a craft and to revel in its process. To grow as a writer and even more as a person. To question humanity and to question yourself.
At the very least, Stupid Novel could bring a smile to a sad child, a resilience to a downtrodden woman, a hope to the ill, an escape to those who’ve not found one. A Story is a window to a world where one character must face hardship and inevitably triumph over them, a lesson we all must learn again and again.
Here is the part in your Story where you must face defeat or conquer it mightily. There have been many in your past and far more in your future, some molehills and some mountains.
Keep writing. Your journey is not yet over.
Wow, what do I say to this and to you, the incredibly dedicated writer who has finished her allocated 50K and deserves more than a medal? If there was a NaNo walk of fame, yours would surely be the biggest, brightest star. Thank you, Brittany. Wise words.
Brittany, I’ve already had someone ask me to read it: especially impressive in the context of my “I’m down here pulling teeth” description of the project. I don’t have so much trouble with spending my time honing my skills as a storyteller–it’s other issues (which NaNo is helping me with).
That’s great Ann Marie, that someone has asked to read it. Daunting too but how wonderful. Best of luck!
A doctor, a lawyer, and an accountant were standing around in a singles bar. Suddenly, an angel walked in the door, walked up to the doctor and said “I’m an angel. If you believe in me enough to give me twenty dollars, I can promise you life everlasting.”
The doctor sneered and replied “Sorry, pal, I’m an atheist. I don’t believe in angels. Go peddle it elsewhere.”
Next, the angel approached the accountant, who hesitated a moment and then reached for his wallet. Handing the angel a twenty he replied “To tell you the truth, I’m an agnostic. I don’t know if God exists or angels exist, but for twenty bucks, why not take a chance?”
The angel then walked up to the lawyer, who immediately said “Look, fella, I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. I don’t care whether you’re an angel or not. If you’ll show me that trick with the agnostic, I’ll give you fifty bucks!”
Note: there are thousands of tasteless jokes about doctors, lawyers & accountants.
Writers? Not many.
What does this mean? I have no idea. I just wanted to make you laugh.
LOL!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Sheri! You succeeded! Was waiting for twist at end – angel was fiction writer in character? But am taking self way to seriously now. Just need to pull thumb out of arse and write, goddammit. Stupid Me! Marvelous You!
Karen – I merely speak from my heart, and my own experiences. My star is not so bright to my eyes, for in them I only see you beginning to shine. Grow brighter, and blot out the sun with your brilliance.
Ann Marie – We all come to the words with different issues that hold us back. It is a sign of honor to be asked to read your project upon its completion, a recognition that despite what issues bear you down, you are rising above them. Continue to rise and all will marvel, as those who know you do.
I think I lost my NaNo sanity a week ago! I totally get what you’re saying.
I’m still at 10,760 words, and you’re at 32K? That is supremely awesome! You’ve already kicked my butt and put me to shame. You can do it. You’re almost there!
Thanks Sharla. You get what I’m saying? Yay! Thought I was going slightly insane. You are going to keep catching up though, aren’t you? Please do. You’ve got to. May I remind you who got me into this mess in the first place, lol!!
[...] This video is for Karen at ModernDayStoryTeller and anyone else who has the NaNo [...]
I care
*smooch* *hugs* Thank You!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Ann Marie Gamble, Jeanne V Bowerman. Jeanne V Bowerman said: my dear writer & friend @karenquah needs some #nano love… spread it like Britney the BOT http://bit.ly/3aTThR [...]
Glad to see all the support for you. Look at all the things you have done in your life Karen. This is not about your ego. You show us all that you have courage to take on a challenge.
Once you finish this stepping stone, it’s going to be one more feather in your cap, of a pretty impressive life. You watch and see if your power will lead you to bigger things. It will.
I believe in you.
Thank you for having my back from the very start, Carrie. Posted this morning feeling like crap and all this support is just blowing me away. Can’t give up now, can I? Thank you from the bottom of my heart. xo
I believe you’re in the perfect frame of mind for a pep talk from Neal Gaiman.
http://www.nanowrimo.org/node/1065561
Wow, how did I miss this? Or maybe received it but failed to notice it in my panic? Thanks. Glad to know am just like every other schmuck – heh.
You’re the champion of the world!
For what’s it’s worth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YTJoY3Q4yA
Thanks Tim! Ha – much appreciated!
You are one the best writers out there!!!
Keep going!!!
You rock!!!!
Thanks Jerry! Even though I know you’re just saying it to keep me from quitting – it worked! And YOU rock!
“So I finish Stupid Novel – which as we speak remains title-less – and prove to self can finish Stupid Novel. Big deal.”
CONGRATS! CONGRATULATIONS!!! And stop your whine you TURKEY
You’re doing your thang and I sure hope you keep going!
Enjoyed the blog and hear the sound in high and low pitch, on key, that you’re actually doing very well
HA! Thanks for making me laugh, funny chick. Yes, I know I’m whining and will stop being TURKEY right now! No wait… Okay… No, ready?
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by amgamble: Blues? Blues?? Try black, @karenquah. http://bit.ly/10Q0qS #NaNo…
There’s not much I can add – you have a lot of support here already. Maybe I’ll just suggest you stop whining and get back to it
Seriously, you’re at 32000 words with 11/12 days left – you can do this easily. So what if nobody reads it at the end? It’s a personal challenge, not an attempt at nobel prize winning literature. You’re doing great and we all know you are – keep it up, it’ll be over soon and then you can relax with your winner’s certificate
Oh no, just got told off by mentor for whining – hee hee. Yes sir, getting back into it as we speak. Promise. Really. 34K and still going. So there. Oh, and THANKS!
glad I could help – so many people giving kind words while I wasn’t here, I had nothing else to offer
You help as soon as you can as much as you can – couldn’t ask for anything more. Am truly blessed.