National Novel Writing Month

[mikehardware]

Thank you, writers of the bored, for your example and inspiration. I may have found a fun new hobby, and just possibly more than that.

I tried the National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo) this year, and had more fun than I ever imagined while cranking out 50,000 words in November.

I settled on an attempt to turn my Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest detective category winning sentence into a novel. (I figured that if it turned out awful, then it’s just because I couldn’t overcome the awful start. No reflection on me, right?) The draft still needs huge amounts of editing, but for my first attempt at writing something long other than computer test procedures, I’m pleased.

Then last night, I took the first chapter to the public library where nanowrimo had a write-in, and one of the leaders of the local group was kind enough to read and critique it. She thought it was promising and wants me to join a local mystery writing group, with real published writers! I’m feeling overwhelmed, since I was hoping for “it doesn’t stink too bad” at best.

So now I’ll get busy with fixing all the problems, and planning out the next Mike Hardware, P.I. stories. This is going to be fun, with lots to learn and enjoy.

[Vandal]

Congratulations! I admire anyone who follows through with a writing commitment.

Now the real fun begins!