NaNo Status Update, Day 11

Hit 19k words tonight. I think I've lost my plot. Has anyone seen it? It's about yea high, not particularly bright, a bit clumsy, with a few half-hearted twists.

If seen, please call the number on its collar (1-800-MYPLOTSUX). I'd offer a reward, but...eh.

Seriously, though, I'm at that point. YOU know. That point. Where you kinda maybe sorta know what's happening next, but it's all vague and nebulous in your mind? And you think that maybe it's stupid? And you wonder why you're even doing it? Oh yes, and you start thinking that your narrator's voice is a little (read: a lot) uneven? And you kind of wish she'd just stop complaining? Yes, yes. You know. Well, I'm there, baby.

But the beauty of NaNo is that, instead of letting your Avoidance Troll guide you, you just have to step right on him (squish) and take the lead. No, no--don't listen to his muffled pleas as he squirms under your boot--he has no control over you. We are not operating under normal circumstances here, people. We've gone...NaNo.

I've also reached another milestone in this (insane, inane, ill-advised) endeavor. I dreamed about my book. Never done that before, until last night. That's right, after no less than four novels, one of them invaded my subconscious and made things very interesting while I slept. Probably, I assume, because I spend so much time thinking about it during the daylight hours. So now I don't even get a break when I'm sleeping. Dammit.

And this was one of those dreams that woke me up in a cold sweat. My character--I have new sympathy for her. I haven't really been very nice to her, but it's for her own good. And as I promised on twitter last night, I will bake cookies for her when this is all over.

Oh, speaking of cookies...I can't stop eating. Pretty much ever since NaNo started. If I see it, I eat it. So, even if I don't finish my book, I'll have twenty new pounds to show off, come December 1. Um...yay?

Speaking of which, I think I have some Doritos upstairs...better get on that.

Keep writing, everybody!

P.S. Came up with a nice idea for a post-NaNo celebration post today, which I will be working on throughout the month. Keep an eye on this space come early December.

From the "WTF?" Files

I just remembered--I had a dream last night that my dream agent called me up and offered representation...on the condition that I both lengthen my novel, and remove exactly 1300 instances of the word "the."

Of course I said yes.

Wha--?

Okay, I had one of the weirdest dreams I've ever had last night. And I've had some doozies.

My window was open, and a white horse was outside it. The horse kept rearing up, like it was upset or scared or something. And it was freaking me out pretty good, too. Then...okay, here comes the weird part...

It stole our cat. Took him right in his mouth. I don't remember anything after that.

I don't believe in this stuff too much, but just for kicks I looked at some dream dictionaries online. From this one:

To see a horse in your dream, represents a strong, physical energy. You need to tame the wild forces... If the horse is white, then it signifies purity, prosperity and good fortunes.

Okay, not bad. I'll take some good fortunes.

Now, about the cat:

...for the cat lover, cats signify an independent spirit, feminine sexuality, creativity, and power.

And about the stealing:

If someone steals something from you in your dream, you are feeling a lack of emotional understanding or appreciation in your life.

Okay, so let me get this straight. My purity, prosperity, and good fortune don't sufficiently appreciate my independent spirit, feminine sexuality, etc. Or something.

Never mind.

These dream dictionaries, generally, are a lot like horoscopes. They throw a lot of vague, general ideas at you, in the hope that one might fit. For instance, let's check out my horoscope:

You are quite determined today to fulfill your heart's desire, but you may be thwarted every time you make a move toward your goal. Fortunately you are not willing to give in to discouragement. Pick yourself up as often as necessary and start all over again. Although you aren't usually so persistent, today it will play out in your favor.

Now, of course I'm determined to fulfill my heart's desire. I mean, everybody wants something, every day...it's part of the human condition. We are never truly satisfied with what we have--at least, not for long.

And who doesn't feel thwarted, at some point during the day? Who goes through an entire day without experiencing at least one minute of frustration?

Of course, everyone wants to hear that they won't "give in to discouragement." I certainly don't mind being told that. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy about my potential accomplishments.

And I can certainly cite some times when I haven't been as persistent as I should. Everybody can. Everyone gives up at some point, and frequently it's sooner than they should.

So what did my dream mean? Well, it probably meant that I was sleeping on my arm, or the cat jumped on me in my sleep and made me dream about him, or whatever. Or it meant...nothing.

But it sure was weird.

-Kristin