NaNo WriMo: This Is Fun!

Before I go too far, I was looking for an image to depict juvenile aliens, and when I found the one I finally selected, I couldn't help but laugh. Every once in a while, the world needs a little PG-13 in an otherwise family-friendly site.

Anyway, back to my point: While I'm nowhere near the pace I need to reach my goal of 50,000 words, I'm enjoying the story I've created for my NaNo WriMo entry. It's a quasi-science fiction work. I won't go into too much detail here, but I'm writing about alien abductions (no, I've never experienced one, thank God) and college. And it's chock full of goofy stuff and oddball characters, which is as I like it. I generally write serious stuff in which some characters might have a good sense of humor, but I've been reading a lot of Christopher Moore the past year or so, and I'm really enjoying the funny, irreverent way he can tell a story. This is my homage to Christopher Moore.

Hopefully, some of my fellow writers will visit. Stop for a moment and sip from your coffee cup (or mine). Talk some trash, spin a yarn, or cast aspersions. I won't judge.

Hello NaNo WriMo

As you can see from the yum-yum yellow banner on the left-hand side, I've ventured into NaNo WriMo Land. They only require 50,000 words -- not 90,000 -- so it's not quite as rigorous as I'd feared. (I should have known better; my 282-page novel clocks in at around 95,000 words. I guess this novella would clock in around 120-125 pages.)

To any of the writers from the competition coming by to visit (and anyone else for that matter), welcome! I hope we can develop a little conversation and dialogue here. Think of the Bookshelf as a place to rest your pint glass that doesn't require coasters. Scotch drinkers welcome too. Sorry, no smoking.

JoinMe for NaNo WriMo?

I'm thinking about doing it this year, writing a novel in a month. Since my first has taken several years, the prospect of writing one in a month amuses me. If I do it (and I'll decide today), it would be a more breezy, possibly humorous piece. Ninety thousand words? That's a good goal for a novel. But I don't think it's possible to actually write anything other than a first draft in that time. Perhaps we'll see. Anyone care to join me?

Books I Haven't Read

I'm pleased to find that Slate is focusing on books this week. I've not had a chance to get too deep into their articles, but that's appropos, given the focus of the first article I clicked on: the best books you haven't read...

For me? Well, there are so many. Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon, Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce, most of the Harry Potter series.

I'll add another post later to expand on this, but I invite you all, dear readers, to indicate which "great" book you regret not having read -- or perhaps you don't regret it. Perhaps you're proud of it, the way some people swear off exercise or enjoy blowing cigar smoke in the face of others.

All are welcome.