how nano ate my soul (day six)

Hey there,

My, how you've grown. You were only this tall *gestures randomly somewhere around my knees* last time I saw you.

Okay, so maybe it's only been a few days. But! But, my lovelies, it has been a whole twenty-two thousand, six hundred and three words since we last spoke. I will win NaNo and finish a novel this month, even if it kills me--and means I have to repeat tenth grade from beyond the grave.

22,603. Nearly halfway there.

My novel this month is feeling a little silly. It's about a girl named Cassie who reads tarot cards in her spare time; a boy named Jude who's parents are addicts; an evil organization (because every good novel needs one!) called the VI who capture people with magical energy and bind their souls into rings that give the wearer "unspeakable powers."

*Deep breath* aaaand I've barely even touched on the plot. So far, I have a lot of drawn out dialogue, and unnecessary descriptions. I never really understood what people meant by saying, "Oh, well, the story doesn't really get going till page thirty..."

NOW I GET IT.

NaNo this year has meant a whole lot of missed homework, sleep deprivation, and rambling conversations with my support group (AKA other kids at school crazy--I mean, determined--enough to attempt NaNoWriMo this year) about my unoriginal ideas.

I have a funny feeling that this is like, the calm before the storm. That, even if I do finish NaNo and (oh my gosh I hope so) finish a novel, I'll have strained myself to the point that I will suffer a complete and utter mental breakdown in the days leading up to Christmas.

Did I mention I'm playing trumpet in the pit band for our town's musical (On the Town) this year?

Did I mention our annual sale is coming up at "the bookstore" meaning mucho hours and little sleep?

DID I MENTION HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS (part one) IS COMING OUR NOVEMBER 19th?!

(is it just me, or does Harry look a bit sickly in this picture?)

'Nough said. No really, like, that is all.

Toodles, my friends. I shall see you again... in January?

OH MY GOD THE TIME JUST FLIES BY WHEN YOU'RE POUNDING YOUR FACE AGAINST THE KEYBOARD.

Love,

Erika