Halloween, Harry Potter and Hating NaNoWriMo

Halloween

Please forgive me for my gratuitous post of my Halloween, which has nothing to do with writing except to indulge in a little creativity. Basically, I got dressed up (as female Indiana Jones), hung out with some cool people (including two Russian gymnasts, a British Army guy, and Quailman), ate a bit of chocolate, and watched several amazing Halloween movies on ABC Family (of which I will only admit to Hocus Pocus).

I would post the slightly embarrassing "mugshots" that the Russian Gymnasts left on my computer after making London 2012 name badges... But I think they may kill me. Just know, ladies, I have them. ;) Also, I am still cleaning up glitter from your hair. 

Harry Potter

I am now nearing the end of the fourth Harry Potter book, for the umpteenth time. Admittedly, I am a nerd, but embracing is much more appealing than fighting it. The funny thing is, even after all this time and knowing what happens, I still get nervous for the characters. 

My goal: to be a writer that gets re-read. But my first, I need to make it to the "must-read" shelf (or any book shelf at all), which I will not be doing during NaNoWriMo. 

Hating NaNoWriMo

While I think the idea behind NaNoWriMo (or National Novel Writing Month, where a writer creates an entire novel in the month of November) is great, I abhor the actual task. Every year I start with good intentions, and every year I stop. This year holds no plans for participating; however, in the spirit of holding true to the festivities, I am making an effort to write more throughout the coming weeks. Maybe I will get lucky and finish something without meaning to. 

Here is a clip of last year's (which will probably never get finished because I have entirely forgotten where the storyline was heading): 

NaNoWriMo 2011 - Untitled

Scottish music danced in the night air. Fiona dance alongs with the other seventeen-year-old chorus girls.

“Fi, you must keep your knees bent. Rehearsal must be as good as you plan on performing,” claims the instructor, who happens to be their local bald priest.

Fi nods, but her focus is elsewhere. Ashley giggles at Fi’s ineptitude while keeping in perfect step with the music. Several other girls send mean looks toward Fi, but she does not take notice.

“All right ladies and gents, I think that’s enough for today. Candlemas is in two days, so we must be prepared to show off our skills. No new shoes for Candlemas. They will only serve to rip up your feet. God bless.” the priest announced to the room. His eyes scanned the crowd until he found Fiona. She ducked her eyes and began shoving her dance shoes into her bag. Parents started arriving for the young ones and the other teenager girls walked out gabbing about hair and getting burgers.

“Fi, my dear, what’s wrong?” the priest startled her.

She couldn’t meet his eyes. “Nothing, Father.”

“‘Tis a sin to lie, Fi.”

“Then I’ll repent later. How many Hail Mary’s for lying?”

Good luck to all my writer friends who are making the great attempt! May your novel take many unexpected, exciting turns.