Today is the first day of National Novel Writing Month, and, my birthday. To celebrate my lucky birth (it was a touch questionable), I’ve decided to take up this daunting challenge.
What kind of present is that?
Some years I didn’t bother; other years I’d treat myself to something special I wouldn’t or couldn’t afford at any other time. This is the first time I’ve gone on a limb. Buying a new television or a piece of furniture is worlds apart from this crazy idea, I admit.
I’ve managed to put 1722 words on the page, but it’s only my first day. Now I’m going to start sweating—yes—sweating and it ain’t going to be lady-like, but I don’t care. I’m going to stick it out as long as my fingers can suck the words out of my brain.
I’ll be around now and again, but most likely in an hap-hazard fashion. I could use some positive energy to keep this party going.
See you all, when I see you. I’ll be back and forth when I can. I’m green and new, but here goes nothing.
Tess
How the Cookie Crumbles 
November 1, 2012 at 1:43 pm
Good luck Tess!!!
And a very Happy B day 😉
Mine is at the end of this month, and I think I’ll celebrate it with a solitary supper – much less hard work than writing a novel!!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:37 am
Thank you, Ghia. Mine wasn’t so great but I was gracious. A solitary supper isn’t so bad, at least you can have exactly what you wish for without worrying what it’s costing someone else (my daughter).
At Day 5, I managed 9256 words. Only 40,744 more to go. I’m running out of words….can you lend me a vowel…?
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November 6, 2012 at 1:39 am
I can lend you 5 if you want 😉
Wishing you well Tess – hope it goes according to plan!
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November 6, 2012 at 9:59 am
Me too. I feel I’m losing steam…thanks, Ghia.
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November 1, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Way to go, Tess! Best wishes to you in your challenge…do keep in touch if you can. At least we’re good for a laugh if things get tough!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:35 am
Hey, nothing in my whole life has ever been EASY—what’s the fun in that? Thank you, Laurie, I shall either continue standing or not. No matter, I have accepted the challenge and on Day 5 I’m still in the game. No-one is as surprised as me. 40,744 words to go and 25 days…Ahhhhhh. Fingers crossed. I’m thinking I’m running OUT of words…Can someone give me a B, or maybe a G?
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November 1, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Go, Tess! And happy birthday!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:31 am
Thank YOU, Len. I appreciate it.
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November 1, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Happy Birthday Tess and all the best for the NaNoWriMo!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:31 am
Thank you, Marianne. I’m still kicking. I have 25 more days to look good. I hope I can hang in there…
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November 1, 2012 at 3:55 pm
You may be green – I don’t know but the talent’s there, here’s to tenacity! Good luck 🙂
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November 6, 2012 at 1:30 am
You are EXACTLY what I need in my peanut gallery. Thank you Gilly. Day five (after midnight of real day six I’m wirint this) and I’m still in. My eyes are wide in wonder. Thank you for coming by just exactly NOW.
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November 6, 2012 at 2:42 am
I don’t know what peanut gallery is but I’m happy to be in one!
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November 6, 2012 at 9:55 am
Peanut gallery would be everyone, everywhere but not those who can afford private seats (more like regular people). Thanks Gilly, I appreciate the positive energy.
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November 1, 2012 at 4:16 pm
Hi Tess–I joined the NaNoWriMo for the first time this year, too. And you’re ahead of me already–I haven’t written anything for it yet today, so I guess I know what I’m doing this evening.
Maybe we can encourage each other throughout the month–be each other’s cheering section!
“Rah, rah, Tess–Go, Tess, Go.”
“Tess can do it, she’s our girl, And if Tess can do it, I’ll give it a whirl!”
Oh, and Happy B-Day, too…you don’t look a day older than you did yesterday. 🙂
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November 6, 2012 at 1:28 am
Thanks for the birthday greeting. Sometimes I think they are what keep me going from one birthday to the next.
Sylvia, I’m late responding here to your ocmment but you HAVE heard from me before this, right? The idea is to write. Go, Sylvia, Go!
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November 1, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Happy Birthday, Tess, and good luck with your challenge!
I contemplated participating briefly, and then decided my time isn’t right. Maybe next year.
But go you… here – have some positive energy!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:24 am
Tom, Tom, Tom, I believe you are a prime candiate. OK, if you MUST wait until next year, start planning now.
Last year I missed out. This year I decided to jump in. I’m amazed I’ve last five days…Thanks for your support. I need all I can get.
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November 1, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Happy birthday Tess and good luck with NaNoWriMo. Turn off the self edit and just keep on writing!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:22 am
I have, raising the curtain, and find a new freedom from worry. Yes, the old editor keeps hounding me but it’s nice to know I can (and should) ignore him. It’s been an interesting process in these first 5 days. Maybe next year you will consider trying….?
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November 6, 2012 at 4:01 pm
I think 50,000 words is a bit beyond my reach at the moment. That would involve a plot, charcater development and a whole lot of planning! But you never know a lot can happen in a year. I hope that by saying it is interesting you are enjoying the process.
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November 9, 2012 at 10:40 pm
It’s day nine. I’m still at it. Personally, I’m not only surprised but with all the positive energy and support–PLUS blabbing to the world–well, I hate falling on my face. I can’t do it. I MUST keep going. I’ve only 31,596 words to go. I remember on the first day it was 48,278. You know this is my first time, right. Tenacity is my driving force.
Curtain Raiser, You CAN do it. Try. You don’t HAVE to advertise but the challenge validates something and YOU DO have the ability. We can be NaNo writing buddies next year. I can’t believe I’m already looking forward to it…I always knew I was a little nuts but now….
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November 1, 2012 at 4:49 pm
Happy birthday Tess and good luck with NaNoWriMo. Turn off the self edit and just keep on writing!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:19 am
You are a Sweetheart. Thank you. I’m turning myself inside out and it’s only the end of day FIVE. I had plans but I had no idea how overwhelming this project would be…
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November 1, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Happy Birthday,Tess. It is Teddy’s birthday too. If I had know you could have come for tuna and chips with us.
What a challenge! If anyone can do it you will. Hope you keep us posted now and then. Cheers!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:17 am
I read your post regarding Teddy’s birthday but didn’t want to spoil his day. I thank you for calling me on mine.
On Day 5, my brain is half-fried. I’ve never taken on such a HUGE job. I like and prefer the short story scenario. Only 25 more days to to and 40,744 words. . .
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November 6, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Maybe think of the chapters as short stories that are woven together into a whole…
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November 9, 2012 at 10:31 pm
At first, I was overwhelmed. I knew what I wanted to do but I DID have a backup plan for short stories which would be woven together into a whole. I love that you thought to make this suggestion. I will try really hard, no matter which way I go, to do Plan B if I must. Next year, sometime, I hope to follow-up on this IF I first complete 50,000. I cnanot believe I’m 18,404 words in on Day 9 and not finished for today yet (except for an e-mail break to keep my sanity). Required word count todate is 15,003.
So NICE to hear from you Patricia. Positive input is keeping me going. Thank YOU>
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November 9, 2012 at 11:00 pm
I think this is very exciting!
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November 13, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Thank you, Patricia. It’s more scarey than anything. That I have last 12-1/2 days makes me feel almost air-borne. Yes, I’ve come up with a bunch of words and carved them into a ‘story’, still I hope the story makes some sort of sense real people might be interested in. Something I hadn’t guessed was how my engaging Lagy Gaga plays a part–truly I hadn’t planned it–she wasn’t in the outline but she became a comfort base. Fuuny about the central parts our “pals” play. Thank you for coming by, especially at this time…
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November 2, 2012 at 3:57 am
Happy birthday for yesterday Tess! I’m doing NaNo too, for the first time this year, quite a challenge fitting it in around my full-time job and the kids and everything, but I’m really excited about being part of it. I’m NessaJane on there if you want to buddy me…
Good luck with yours!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:13 am
Hey Buddy. What a challenge. What was I thinking? Never mind. WE can DO this, RIGHT? Go, team, GO. Thanks for the buddy-up Vanessa. I appreciate it.
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November 2, 2012 at 7:38 am
Happy Birthday Tess! And lots of good energy for your writing present!!!!! Lots of love too! 🙂 Gigi xoxo
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November 6, 2012 at 1:11 am
OMG, Gigi. I’m losing steam but I’ll not give up until the fat lady sings (that could be ME). Anyway, I’ve only 40744 wods to do–and 25 days–never mind I’m writing this in the night of the 6th day.Thank you for your support. This is really a fun challenge—maybe not so fun after Day 3…
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November 6, 2012 at 6:38 am
hahaha!!! 🙂 I hope you have lots of fun! 🙂
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November 6, 2012 at 9:53 am
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. (Pulling hair time). I hope I survive this.
Thanks Gigi.
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November 2, 2012 at 8:50 am
Good luck! Looking forward to seeing your sweat-wrenched work when it’s done =)
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November 6, 2012 at 1:08 am
Thank you. The end is the telling. I only have 25 days to go and 40,744 words. My brains feel scrambled. Too big of a project for a greenhorn like me. BUT, I’m in it for the MONEY…Clap your hands now….
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November 6, 2012 at 8:00 am
*clap*clap*clap!*
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November 6, 2012 at 8:00 am
*clap*clap*clap!*
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November 6, 2012 at 9:52 am
Thank YOU.
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November 2, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Many happy returns!
And best of luck with the novel. From 54 to the 50000 – way to go!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:06 am
OMG, thank you. I need all the support I can get. Day 5, and only 40,744 more words to go. If you don’t think that’s ominus, you should try this next year if you’re not into it this year. I feel so good, I’m hitching up my bra….ahhh, too high.
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November 2, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Hey, itsa my birthday too! Happy Birthday to you. Great luck with your challenge.
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November 6, 2012 at 1:03 am
I noticed you mentioned something about it and I thought I’d *wait and see*. Happy belated birthday from one birthday girl to another!!
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November 6, 2012 at 1:04 am
Sto Lat!
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November 3, 2012 at 12:02 pm
First Happy Birthday!!! Second, congrats on a great start to NaNo. You will pull it off…no sweat ❤
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November 6, 2012 at 1:02 am
Thank YOU, Red. I feel that shove in the butt. I shall need several more (cattle) prods (maybe). On day five I’ve surprised myself with 9256 words. Yay. I’ve never taken on anything of this magnitude. The uphill heave is leaving me breathless. H-h-h-h and is becoming more difficult every day. Only 40,744 words to go….Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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November 6, 2012 at 1:19 am
Stay true to form, and it will come. You will find the story will take off with you. I did that today. I wrote a bit over 5K today. One of these years I will write a book in November. I am better in the spring 😉
I scared someone today who saw the M3 Million words meter and thought it was my NaNo. Bwahahaha! 580K in 6 days.
xxx
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November 3, 2012 at 7:43 pm
Happy belated birthday my friend
and good luck with your challenge 🙂
Andro
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November 6, 2012 at 12:56 am
Thank YOU, Androgoth. on Day 5, I’m up to 9256 words. Only 40,744 to go–snd 25 more days. What was I thinking. This is the hardest thing I have ever done! Fingers crossed…I shall plod on…maybe the only registrant mumbling to myself, “Only one more word. I know I can do it! LOL.
Thank you for the birthday greetings. At my age, I appreciate all the kidos I can squeeze out of life. Ha ha.
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November 9, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Being lady-like never got anywhere important, did it? Go for it.
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November 9, 2012 at 10:08 pm
You are such a sweetheart but totally correct. No more Fu-Fu and organza. I’m in it to get to the finish line. I’m not finished writing for today. I am up to 18,404 words and still have a word or two to add. If I were going by the rules, I should have 15,003. Hurray. I can’t believe I’m still in the GAME!
Thank you WritingWaters for acknowledging, you sometimes MUST roll up your sleeves and sweat for all you’re worth!
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November 10, 2012 at 6:38 pm
Go Tess! It’s not that hard once you start!
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November 13, 2012 at 9:04 pm
The thing is, Rose, the beginning was kind of “of course I can do it all” and then you slow down and worry, and hope someone will give your a kick in the a**. I am a person of few words. That I have lasted half-way, MEANS I’M DESPERATE.
I still have fingers crossed…I thank YOU.
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November 27, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Sounds fun! Too bad I missed it
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November 27, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Sorry you did, ncykelly. Didn’t I hear something about safety in number??? I could have use some more ….
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November 27, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Haha! Well count me in for next year!
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December 5, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Yay. The way I fell now–vacumned out–I cant think past next Wednesday. Do join NaNo2013!
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December 21, 2012 at 1:22 am
Hi Tess, good for you! I need to keep reading to find out how you did!
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December 22, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Glad you’re the least bit interested. Thank you for being curious.
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