Does that number mean anything to you? It wouldn't to me either under normal circumstances. But as of right now, that's how many words there are in my book. Ha, my book. I feel lame saying that. And let me repeat: I fully expect nothing to come of this. But at the same time, absolutely nothing will ever happen if I don't ever try. And for some reason, some people believe in me (mom, sis, Miss K) so that makes me at least believe a little bit in myself so why not try?
So that being said, I have written 92 (double spaced) pages in Microsoft word. It's funny because I mainly work on it at Starbucks or Panera (I get too distract if I work on it in my house) and I'm drinking coffee and I'm there for a couple of hours so inevitably, I have to go to the restroom at some point. I usually ask a respectable looking person (usually one who is typing away on their own computer) to watch mine while I'm gone (for all of two minutes). But as the document gets longer and longer, I really contemplate taking my flash drive with me in the event that someone does steal it or if it gets knocked off the table by some hyperactive child. And fears about my laptop completely crashing have become more frequent. It is pretty old. Please hold on, Mac. I did just buy you a new battery and hard drive last summer. You can do it!
(Sidenote: I shouldn't write this cause my mom will kill me, but really, it's four years later, it never happened so it's okay. Much like writing this book, I wrote papers or studied at Starbucks/ JJs/ the SLC when I was still at UGA. I would be there for hours so yes, I would have to go to the restroom. Sometimes I would ask someone to watch my computer, sometimes I didn't. But I would always take my iPhone with me to the bathroom. I'd leave my computer (cause it would look silly dragging it along) and my iPod but never my cell phone. And then I noticed everyone does this. Even people who had non-smart phones (not to sound like a snob, just saying, they are not as expensive) will take theirs with them. That just shows how much we have come to depend on cell phones. Your laptop is a couple hundred bucks, nearing the thousand dollar mark, and has all of your music, photos, and documents on it and you take your phone. Just sort of funny. Sidenote to the sidenote: Do you ever worry that the very person you ask to watch your computer will be the very one to steal it? It really is the perfect crime. You sit in Starbucks or Panera and look like a nice, friendly, respectable human being, and wait for someone to ask you and once they are out of sight, you swipe it and sell it on eBay. Not saying I will ever resort to this or anything. Just makes me rush in the bathroom that much faster.)
Wow, I diverted so much that I just had to make that sidenote its own paragraph. Sorry! See I ramble. This is one of my main concerns when it comes to writing. I am trying not to ramble which almost makes me skip over and skim stuff even more. This just might get interesting is all I'm saying.
Oh yeah, I still won't tell anyone the plot of the book. I almost broke down and told my sister LA on the beach trip but alas she never asked so I never confessed (Way not to be pushy LA, especially if you purposely were trying not to be. But maybe you were just distracted by the fun and the sun. So close, yet so far). It's funny cause I really could care less about what people I don't know think about my idea. But my family, my friends, knowing, that kinda scares me. This book is my little creation, what if the people I love absolutely hate it? I know I am going to have to get over that but no one can read it until it's done.
That is what everyone asks (all ten people that know about it). "Can I read it?" My answer: "Well, um, uhhh, maybe. When it's done. Maybe. Don't hold me to it though!" I'll tell you this much: I essentially think of the book as being two acts. The second act is the part that I came up with six years ago. And while I am itching to start writing that part, I cannot write out of order. I can move stuff around somewhat once I write it (meaning switch a paragraph up or down a few spots so it makes more sense), but I have to go in order for the most part. So right now, I'm writing act one which is, in my opinion, the foundation and background for act two. I sort of feel like I am wasting my time since act two is completely etched in my brain but at the same time, since I have known the second act for so long, I am unintentionally and subconsciously dropping hints in the first act. So that's sort of awesome. Good job brain, didn't know you could do that. Granted they could be hints that only I get but maybe other people will too. Let's hope. But I'm about 3/4 of the way done with the first act. I think the second act will go faster but I am so particular about it, it might take even longer. So, who knows?
The fun part about writing: It's my book so I can do whatever I want. That being said, I've almost started to bribe people about it (I figure it's the best way to get future readers/buyers if it is ever published). My family knows about it but very few of my friends do, minus those who read this blog which I am willing to bet is all of two of them (Hi, friends!). And since I am still unemployed, everyone keeps asking me how the job hunt is going. I kind of mumble an answer about how I'm still looking and the economy is terrible. But I have discovered that guys will really press the issue and want an explanation as to what exactly I have planned for my life (... like I even know). So after a lot of vague answers and persistent questioning, I have confessed to three guy friends that I am in fact working on a book. The reaction has been pretty consistent: Surprised with some variation of, "Wow. I didn't know you had that in you. But that's pretty cool. Can I read it?" One boy is one of my best friends so I had thought all along that there would be some sort of character based on him. There is. I told him. He was psyched and had a great reaction. Awesome. Boost of confidence? You bet!
So I've learned this is a good tactic. The other two boys, both messaged me within a few days of mentioning it, one (jokingly) offering to edit and the other asking if he could read it before it was released to the general public. As a result, I've decided when you show support, you get name dropped. Well one of two things: I'll use your name somewhere in the book. It might just be a "oh so and so's friend, [fill in the blank] was at the party too" or you might get a random line or two of dialog (this is the case with friend VM. For now. He might get tossed a few more lines cause he's been way supportive). Boy who asked to read it, TW, got a character named after him and is going to have a way bigger story line than I initially thought. See, when you show support, big things can happen! Or option two: You get a character that is highly based on you. Formerly mentioned best guy friend, RY, has a character based on him but with a different name. Oh and if you're super supportive you can name the character based on you. This honor has only been bestowed upon my mother (since she is financially supporting me at this point in time) and my sister LA (she also encouraged this blog. So if you don't like it, you can take it up with her). So maybe this can be a little incentive not to laugh in my face when I say I am working on a book.
In relation to naming characters, it can be tough so feel free to donate some names. I have discovered I have some, let's call them issues, with name association:
1) I don't want to play favorites with my friends' names too much. "Oh I named that character after my friend I met junior year. But what about the friend I've known since high school, he/she might get offended". I know that's dumb reasoning but it worries me.
2) I struggle with the names of people, hm, how do I say this, that I don't especially care for. Like I could never name a character [this girl's name] because she dated the guy I liked senior year. Immature, sure. But at the same time, it's just like hearing a particular name and a face immediately coming to mind. I just don't want to glorify or literally put someone's name in black and white that I don't really want to... commemorate? honor? That sort of thing. Or it's like not wanting to name a character Angelina because who popped up in your head? Angelina Jolie. I would never. (Team Aniston!) Besides, I don't want you to picture some "reformed" goth girl, with an army of kids trailing behind her in third world countries. There are even "bad" characters in the book but that doesn't automatically mean that they get the name of the girl/ guy I didn't like in high school/college. Like they'd even read the book, but I'm not giving them any smug satisfaction. I've really over analyzed this but names can really make or break a character. So now do you understand my somewhat scattered logic?
3) I no longer have names for my future children, that is if I ever have any. I have used up the entire name bank at this point. And if this book ever gets published and if I ever have children, and said child one day asks me how I picked his/her name, I'll have to mumble some nonsense involving "Well honey, it's the name of the character in Mommy's book". It'd kind of be like how Gwyneth Paltrow named her son Moses after the song that Chris Martin wrote about her. A little self indulgent maybe?
So please, offer up some names you like. I don't think I'll be adding too many more, but a stockpile never hurts!
So yep, book writing is still going on. I finished chapter nine on Friday. It gave me some problems but ending up being the longest one yet. I say it "gave me some problems" but granted I did start actually looking for a job so that's cutting in on my writing time. I just feel like it took me a week or so instead of a day or two cause I wasn't writing consistently.
That being said, I might try to increase the amount that I write on here. If nothing else, my mom and sisters will be more so informed about the book cause I sorta clam up about the details when verbally asked. So... win for them? And you? Maybe?
P.S. In relation to the post's title: I totally do not think that is going to happen. I am not writing anything revolutionary here. As my brother JP so aptly put it, it's a "summertime read for the beach-going crowd". It also adds to the irony that only guy friends really know about it so far because it's completely not their cup of tea. Hence my scheme of naming characters after them. :)
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