So, can someone tell me, please, how one goes about writing anything, especially something silly and crazy for NaNo when the entire area around you is on lockdown from a nasty shooting spree? When sirens and alarms are going off every 10-20 minutes telling you to seek shelter and stay away from all windows? When you're afraid because the police only have one suspect in custody of at least a two man operation? When you thought that living on base was a great idea because you could have a much larger home than if you lived off base?

Right now, my mind is spinning. My son's school today got tossed right out the window. We were off to a rocky start this morning and it has just continued to get worse. My husband calling to tell me that he was on 24 hour shifts, starting today, and that it appears he'll have to work on Thanksgiving. So he comes to give us the car and we take him back to work. Then, shortly after he gets back to work, he calls again to let us know about this horrible shooting on base, but that he at least was okay. For that, don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful. He works in a completely different area. We used to joke about how far off the beaten path he was, but I couldn't be happier now.

I'm just sitting here, listening to the warnings as they're broadcast all over the base. It's not the most conducive sound to writing. Needless to say, the school day is OVER. There's no way we can get anything done today. Mom is too stressed out. Too much has happened too fast.

I'm hoping that this will calm down and that they'll get all the suspects into custody. Right now, I'm not sure what to do. I find myself wanting to write, if for no other reason than just to go into hiding from what's going on around me. However, I'm positive that whatever I write at this moment will affect my story in a negative manner. I don't know. I'm just confused right now. I think I'll meander off now and listen to the warnings and sirens for awhile longer.

I pray that everyone else is having a better day than I am and that all of your loved ones are safe.
 

Oh, dear. It's starting to happen and I don't know why. It's not supposed to happen until later on in the month I thought. EVIL! Those mean and evil words are sneaking into my head saying, "Why are you writing this? It's a complete waste of time and it's not even any good." Oh, dear. Make it stop.

I think the problem is that I have now approached the line. With a measly 500 words, I will have done it. I will make "Whispers of the Past" the longest thing I've ever written. Maybe that's it. Perhaps my mind is digging in and making me want to stop. "Don't cross that line," it's telling me. It must be scared. But you know what? This is the exact reason why I decided to do NaNo in the first place! So, it's just going to have to get over it. That finish line is "only" 40,000 words away. I'm 20% of the way there and I'm not stopping now! It really is a great idea, and with my new so-called "filler," which I have since come to realize is an absolute necessity for the book or it really doesn't make any sense, I will pass it. I will make it. At the end of November, or possibly slightly before, I will do a serious happy dance when I win. I WILL do it!!

So, mean, evil little voice in my head, "Bugger off! Of course it's not all that good right now. It's called a rough draft for a reason! It's rough! But that's what editing is for."

Editing is to a book what the polishing and cutting is to a gem. hehehe Great, huh? Anyway, got weird there for a second. Maybe I am getting tired. Or maybe it's because I want to sit back and relax for a bit. Eat some Doritos and have a cup of coffee. Yeah, that sounds good.

Later!
 

Okay, this might be silly of me to worry about yet, but it entered into my mind and well, I just thought I'd type it on out. I take that back, it is VERY silly for me to worry about this yet, but maybe, with a few good words, someone could help me out.

I just finished writing and printing chapter 3 this evening. Looking at the 4 measly pages that it printed out, I started wondering how many words per chapter I was currently averaging. After figuring it out, it comes out at about 3400 words a chapter. Right. Short chapters, huh? Mind you, I can look back at them already (in my mind, not in real life, I promise), and see where a ton more stuff can be added. All the little nitpicky details that I'm just slapping a huge brush over right now. You know, sort of like Bob Ross before he goes back and adds his "happy little trees." LOL

Anyway, my book is planned out to about 11-12 chapters. Wow, those chapters had seriously grow in the editing process or this thing isn't going anywhere! Skipping on.... If my chapter word count continues as it is right now, I'm in BIG trouble. In other words, I'm going to be short almost 10K words!

Maybe... my character should go to the local library, where nothing is on computer, of course, and try to do some research. Maybe go to the local land office and look up those records too. You know what? That's a great idea!! It will fit right in and make perfect sense. Let me scribble that down real quick.

Tee-hee! I'm excited again. Don't mind me. Some how, some way, I'm going to pull this off. I want that rush to know that I wrote at least 50,000 words in a single, insane month. I want that CreateSpace.com code so I can have it in real book form. I want the "right" to buy, and wear, one of the 2009 NaNoWriMo winner t-shirts. All 'small' things, but the satisfaction. Oh, yeah! This will be something to look back on for the rest of my life and grin about. It will all be worth it in the end.

Speaking of which, I'm sitting at 10,345 words right now. Oh, yeah. I'm smiling.