Last night is when I first noticed the signs. A pea sized seed of NaNo WriMo doubt lodged into my skull. When I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror, there was this giant brain-sucking amoeba perched upon my head. It looks a lot like I just got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my head with a few whisps of hair peeking out. Nope! It's not a towel. It's a giant amoeba and it draining me dry of NaNo power.
I KNOW it's OK if . . . .
-some scenes are boring. They can be fixed later.
-there are some holes. They can be fixed later.
-the dialogue is a little cheesy and needs some work. It can be fixed later.
I started out knowing all of this, but this !@#$ (pardon my symbols) amoeba is stealing this knowledge and replacing it with:
-this stinks!
-you'll never be able to fix this story right. why bother finishing
-even if you fix it, the character is so lame that NO teenager will relate to her and they'll hate the book.
How do I get rid of a brain-sucking amoeba? It's stuck. I mean it's really really stuck. LIke the way my hand is attached to my wrist kind-of-stuck.
I've made such good progress, I can't let this amoeba win.
Help me fight this amoeba (via the the comment section) and I'll put you're name in the drawing for the 16,600 word mark. I'll draw a name this Sunday. I should be there by then, because a brain-sucking amoeba, not even a giant one, can stop Indiana Christy. I think.
H E L P !
23 comments:
christy-
the best way i know to rid those darn amoebas is to take a break - one that may include a cocktail, or two.
brain sucking amoebas have an aversion to alcohol, in particular martinis.
don't drink?
well, a good workout might be in order. get those endorphins up and that amoeba will just fall off, withering away until it dies.
the good thing about your NaNo is that you're right on target!
get off your computer, Christy. (risky business, yes?) people watch, see a movie, read something, ...you'll soon find yourself inspired again.
Stick your head in the toilet and flush (give yourself a swirly!) Amoeba be gone!
But seriously, perhaps a break is what you need like said above! Good luck, Christy!
Sl, I wanted to go to the gym today but I don't have a place to drop off the kiddo's. :0( Maybe I'll turn up the music and I'll dance around the house with them instead. Hey! I might do that. It'll get those endorphins going, and we'll have fun on top of it all. :0)
Susan, I don't think it's odd to pray the thoughts away at all. Sounds like a good plan to me! :0)
kelly, Would you like to to video tape this method and post it on you tube? Very clever. :0)
This won't be as good for you as going to the gym but. . . shhh...it's a secret: chocolate kills brain sucking amoebas. They are deathly allergic to the endorphine releasing chemicals found in dark chocolate.
Enjoy!!!
I would never even try something like NaNoWriMo, so you're miles ahead of me. Mark me down in the "pray it away" column.
Thanks for commenting on my blog! It was a fun event.
Kim, this is good news indeed! I knew there was a reason why I love chocolate. :00
Thanks for stopping by Stephanie! I really enjoyed your pictures!
Christy
There's only one cure for a brain sucking amoeba: salt. They dry up like slugs.
No, really, it's the ol' butt-in-chair cure. Just keep doing it. You'll fall into the groove again, as easily as you fell out, as long as you keep the butt in the chair.
Nice advice from everyone but... what a load of crap. The truth is Christy is trying to steal my thunder. Listen Christy, I'm the whiner. Why don't you get your own schtick?
Indiana Christy,
Your Tribe-mate informed me about your spot and how I might access it from my own glowing box...nearly 3 weeks have passed since then and finally, locked in my room recovering from Strep, I stumbled upon his message again.
I had no idea you were a spinner of creative tales and I look forward to the completion of this current project.
My suggestions for dislodging said amoeba are:
chocolate (personal favorite)
latte w/ a dash of cinnamon
take a walk...it's a beautiful 75 degrees in November!!
Russell H.
I'm rooting for ya to overcome that amoeba!
I haven't tackled anything like NaNo, but sometimes a good long walk works to recharge...
The best cure is to type type type. Seriously. Look at it this way -- when you're training for a marathon, you don't worry how you perform on your training runs. Even if the book comes out totally not worth a drop, you've still got a whole novel worth of practice under your belt.
Beth, that is true, I just have to add one thing to that: Butt in chair and no internet surfing. ;0)
Ian, you just make whining look so fun, I thought I'd have to try it for myself. I'm not as good as it as you are. :0P
Russl!!!! I'm so glad you found me. I'm in such a remote area, I'm glad your glowing box was able to locate me! ;0) a lattee is definatly in order, and the day is over, but I may still take the dogs for a walk tonight. It's still gorgeous out!
Hey Jacqui! I think I'm going to start typing soon. I took a break for most of the day, but I want to try to get out at least a few hundred words before I hit the hay. Thanks. :0)
Adrienne, Thanks! I'm thinking really hard about that walk. :0)
christy
Beer? Wine? Chocolate?
Definitely time for a rest. Yes, chocolate's great, or some nice peaceful music (you know what my choice would be, but then I'm obsessed), read a book that is not remotely like the one you're writing, go for a long walk or take a long relaxing bubble bath. Pamper yourself.
And then...get on with it!
PJ, I'm starting to notice a pattern. I think chocolate may be at the top of the list. :0)
Hi Kate! ohhhhh! I forgot about a bubble bath. I may try that one after the kiddo's go to bed tonight! :0)
You're doing great! Go check out some of the other tickers with 0-words. That should make you feel great!
Everytime I come here and see your word count go up, I slap myself in the head. Kelly's toilet idea is sounding better to me all the time. Not for my head, but my laptop!
Keep up the good work, Christy and those brain suckers will be gone!
Run a hot bubble bath, put on some soothing music, drink some, well, whatever you choose to drink...eat some chocolate and relax...
Now, keep a tape recorder close by...once that amoeba jumps off and runs for the hills, the ideas will pour out and you won't have time to dry your hands and write them down...
Good luck...you are still doing a wonderful job!!! Hugs...
If you hear a voice within say, "You are not a painter," then by all means paint...and that voice will be silenced. - Vincent Van Gogh
And think of all the voices he had in HIS head, not to mention brain-sucking amoebas.
Giant brain-sucking amoebas are deadly allergic to success. At 16,000 words in 8 days you are ahead of the game. Raise a glass of your favorite drink and yell loudly, "I am a SUCCESS you giant brain-sucking amoeba. Not only that when I drink this you will melt away just like the Wicked Witch of West!"
Take three drinks and call me in the morning.
REna, LOL! the part about slapping yourself on the head made me giggle! Thanks! :0)
Brenda, LOL! that tape recorder is a good idea! That amoeba won't know what hit it! :0)
Bish, LOL! You cracked me up big time! Great quote too! :0)
Java chip ice cream with hot fudge and a cherry goes a long way to making me feel better. Not necessarily more creative, just feeling better. It's the looonnnnggg walk I take afterwards that gets my brain in gear again.
Oh, and check out my word count. You'll feel MUCH better!
I usually scrub the baseboards and doors when this happens.
It sounds like you got over it, based on your new super powers, but just in case, if it ever happens again, I suggest conjuring up a zombie or some other supernatural creature to wipe out the brain-sucking amoeba.
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