NanoWriMo Update: The Muddy Middle

Before our New Orleans trip last weekend, I was way ahead. Like finish by next week ahead. Now, I'm sitting here thinking I hate the whole thing--the names, the scenes I have outlined, the scenes I wrote already, the premise.  But I know that's just part of the muddy middle.

I took a good six weeks "off" after Elegant Freefall released and took the time to read over the fragments I had from last year's Nano attempt and start to outline new scenes and figure out a plan.  I started with a good 19 scenes that I feel are must haves. I made note cards and organized my Nano materials. I fired up the NEO 2 (which I love, by the way). And, even during a surprise weekend home for my mother's birthday the first week, I kept writing daily. 

And, I was in a good spot when we hit the road for New Orleans. I packed my NEO 2 with me again, thinking I would work while D. drove. 

I didn't. Instead, I soaked in every bit of a long weekend with no call to deal with and plenty of favorite things in New Orleans.  We had a late/early birthday dinner at Commander's, made it to Dong Phuong to pick up lunch on Saturday, ate some fine oysters at Bourbon House, visited Bevolo light company, and saw the steamboat houses and the renovated camelback shotgun from This Old House in Holy Cross. 

​Monday was a wash as the dogs were WOUND UP from being boarded all weekend. 

Tuesday, I saw a submission call for a personal essay and started writing that instead. I have a second draft of that, and I'm letting it marinate for a bit after revising it a little yesterday.  The deadline is in December, so I have time.

Right now, I hate everything about the current project.  The names of the four main characters (it is an ensemble piece) are too similar and will have to be changed.  I have no idea how it will end, but then again I kind of do (and I don't like it). And I'm behind on my word count. 

All of this is fixable. Once I get this entry done, I'll be working on word counts. Project Replace will take care of the name issue later, and if this is anything like Elegant Freefall revision and editing will lead to major changes.  And that's ok. That's how it's supposed to be.