nanowrimo 2008: day 5
where did day 4 go? do i fail at counting?
so, 5 days have past and i’ve knocked out 10k of words. for a bit of perspective, last time i crossed the 20% barrier on day 6. it feels like i’m much further ahead though. yesterday i was stuck, today i not only got un stuck but about 3 key scenes started playing in my head and lining up in ways that surprised even me a bit. the only reason i’m stopping writing right now is because i’m too tired to play the next one all the way through.
i’m having to leave a few holes in the novel. they’re in the form of notes to myself like “come back and describe this better if you have time” or “add later: domestic discussion. ‘How dangerous is this business venture of yours?’” they aren’t bits that are vital to the primary thread (his appearance made it obvious that he was up to something dangerous which is enough for now anyway) but they’re good stuff. it’s sort of like i’m editing out the director’s cut as i go. since i’ve seen it my head already, though, its part of the foundation for what i will get a chance to write. like the last one i did, i think the nanowrimo version of the story will likely be less than 60% of the true first draft. like the last one, it’ll probably stay in that form forever, though ;)
excerpt?
They were still sitting on the back porch an hour later, soaking up the wine and the atmosphere when they heard a loud crash come from inside the house. After exchanging a quick glance, the four women jumped to their feet, with Helen in the lead. Chad was standing in the doorway, staring at the stack of books he’d knocked over. He was hunched over clutching his left hand close to his chest like it was injured. His jeans were torn and his jacked looked like it had been dragged through a muddy field. His hair was in disarray and there was a small cut just under his left eye.
“What happened?” Helen asked him. He looked up as if surprised to see her and slowly scanned the room. He seemed half awake or possibly drugged as he blinked at both Violet and Stephanie before turning back to Helen.
“Shit, babe, I’m sorry. I thought you guys were going out tonight.” He moved through the living room and straight into the kitchen. Helen bit her lip as her friends exchanged a quick glance behind her.
“Babe, do we have any O.J.?”
Violet put her hand on Helen’s shoulder and she startled, snapped out of her thought process. She turned and smiled with tight eyes.
“We’re going to go,” Violet said.
and yes, soon after that, the camera chooses not to follow them into the kitchen for now.
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