Adequacy/Inadequacy

I was feeling a little inadequate, in some regards, because I'm taking a creative writing class, which I love, but which is focused solely on literary fiction.

Don't get me wrong. I like literary fiction. Reading it. Not so much writing it.

I'm more of a genre gal.

But I was getting the impression that writing genre fiction, especially the genre I mostly write (which is chick-lit), is not respectable.

I don't really know how this can be so, however, when one of my favorite authors - Meg Cabot, in case you haven't been paying attention. And if you haven't, well, come on. Get with the program here - is so great at it and her books are bestsellers and people love her.

(Plus she just won a Distinguished Alumni Award from her Alma Mater, Indiana University.)

But I no longer feel inadequate. I know that I am a good writer (sure I could always use some polishing), and I have a niche. And different people have different tastes, so it's perfectly fine that I want to write light bubbly fiction geared mostly towards women. Because that's what I like to read. Because it cheers my most stressful and depressing days. And if I can do that for someone else that I think that is pretty respectable.

The only place I'm still feeling slightly inadequate, however, is the amount of time I'm able to put into my novel.

As you can see, my NaNoWriMo count is only at 4,786 words. And the month is half over. I've come to terms with the fact that I am not going to finish by the end of the month.

(But, I finished chapter four last night. And I'm feeling pretty good about it. Especially since one of my best friends is sitting next to me reading parts of it and I can hear her giggling at the funny parts. It brings me joy.)

Anyway, I asked Meg Cabot - on her message board, not really expecting a response from her but maybe from one of the moderators - about how many words/pages she writes a day. And SHE responded personally! But the amount she told me is like TEN TIMES the amount I write a day. And some days I don't write anything, because I'm too busy studying for an Acts exam.

So I feel inadequate. And it's only slightly helped by the knowledge that I'm trying to write a novel at the same time I'm trying to finish my senior year of college and bring up my GPA so that I can graduate Summa Cum Laude (which suffice it to say is NOT going to happen after this semester's results from Acts).

Okay. I'll just keep taking it one day at a time.

Thanks Meg Cabot for responding personally to me. And congratulations on your discipline. I admire it greatly.

By the way, readers, if you are at all interested in Meg Cabot (as you should be) you should read her blog/check out her website.

Too hot.

Ok.

It's the 14th of November.

One month and eleven days until Christmas.

In some places, it snowed today. In others, there has been snow for a while.

Here, in Southern California, the temperature reached 92 degrees.

This is too hot. Too hot for November. I don't like being hot. I don't really like snow either. But I at least like the option of wearing a light jacket.

My Weekend Thus Far

So, I finished ANOTHER Meg Cabot book last night.  I kind of want to cry.  Because it was the last one until she publishes more - for adults anyway. I could go read her YA and probably be equally as happy.

I'm at my aunt's house playing with the dogs.  Working on my novel.  And taking pictures.

I've an additional 900 words so far, and I'm planning on doing some more tonight. I've breaked only to take some pictures and watch last week's episode of Bones.  Oh, and now I'm watching When Harry Met Sally while I make dinner. I didn't like it last time I saw it. But I LOVE it now.

I think I'll show you some pictures...you know...just to be nice.



This is Mr. Lou looking pretty.






Mr. Lou again. I can't help it, he's just such a good model.


















The pretty koi.













This is my grandpa. I think I look like him.



















Gillie.







Charlie Blue. Don't you think he looks, well, blue?




Buford.

News of the Day

In the world: It’s Guy Fawkes Day! I know, it means pretty much nothing here. But whatever. I think it’s significant, and I wish I could be there sharing in the festivities. I love celebrations and it looks like fun. I posted signs around my workplace saying “Remember, remember the 5th of November…” I think people appreciated it...really, they did. This just goes to show how much I wish I lived in England...I really do.

In the Nation: We have a new president; the first African American president. Regardless of what you think of him, this is an historical moment.

And sadly, author Michael Crichton died today at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer. His death was unexpected and my heart goes out to his family and friends. I will always love him, because he brought me Jurassic Park, and opened my eyes to the wonders of dinosaurs at a very young age. Also Jeff Goldblum (Independence Day anyone?). Thank you Michael.

On the home front:  My NANOWRIMO word count is still at last night’s 1,020 because I haven’t had time to work on it yet today. (Stinkin’ homework). But,

“Big Boned” came in for me at the library today so I can look forward to reading it, more like devouring it, over the weekend.

I will be spending the weekend at my aunt’s house in San Diego to babysit “the boys” while the family attends a wedding up north. I am looking forward to taking some time away from campus to spend by myself doing whatever I want (i.e. writing my novel, reading Meg Cabot, and watching movies until my eyes hurt). Not to mention that I get to hang out with three of the coolest dogs EVER.

(Especially Louie, my good friend).

NANOWRIMO

So, I've taken the NANOWRIMO challenge.

If you don't know what that is, NANOWRIMO is the National Novel Writing Month, where you are supposed to write a whole novel during the month of November.

Today, I finished the first chapter. It's a bit short, though, only 651 words. I might have to go in a change that later.

Anyway, I'm going to try and update on my progress so a) you can know how I'm doing and b) so I have incentive to keep working at it that way I dont have to come back here at the end of the month and feel like a tool because I didn't finish something I committed to.

So...there's that. I'm going to try and get a widget or something. Or I'll just post my word count at the end of each post.

Maybe when I finish it I can publish it. And you can buy it. And read it. And love it. Maybe.

It's a fetus!

My sister is having a baby girl.  She plans to name her Enid.  I think it goes without saying, but I'm excited.  And since I think she has gone public with the news, I feel compelled to show you all what my little neice looks like.  She has the same nose as my sister and I.  I'm already attached.

Look at her little eyes, she's face the camera er whatever it's called.




Sucking her little thumb with her little legs up in the air. So sweet.




Same as above. See the little button nose? Thats MY nose. Except not really but whatevs, you get the point.

I'm not getting old yet.

I felt like a little kid today.

My friend and I got two free tickets to Knott's Berry Farm, so we went.  And I got so excited about everything.  She said I was so distracted by everything, just like a little kid.

Then we went to the Sprint store and I got my phone switched, so now I can receive texts from outside sources like Google and email addresses and such, yay!

(This means I can use Bluetooth to make new ringtones)!

When I came out of the Sprint store it started raining.  Please note: I ABSOLUTELY LOVE rain, and I've missed it so much since moving to California.

Anyways, I went into Baskin Robbins and got some Mint Chip (my favorite) ice cream and the lady put frosting on it for me (remember those clowns?).  I was so excited.  So I sat under an umbrella outside in the rain and ate my ice cream.  It was spectacular.