Autumn has finally hit Seoul with rain, and the posters for the Hallowe’en parties have been up for a week or so now. We’re getting closer to Nano!

One of my other SeoulWrimos is taking the plunge with me. Together we are heading to the 100,000 word mark. In the initial excitement, I was thinking ‘this is a great idea!’ Now I’ve made my decision, I’m totally freaking out and wondering what I’ve got myself into. 50,000 is difficult enough.

The good thing about doing the double is that if I don’t hit the target, I’m at least going to get to 50,000 on one of them.

Yesterday we had the first Nanowrimo meet up with local Wrimos in the area. We actually didn’t talk much about nano, but I was talking with an old friend from last year, and started to wonder whether I should do two novels this year. I was inspired by an interview on the main nano page.

Reasons for:

1. I have time. My job is practically part time, I don’t have kids to look after, my boyfriend is ridiculously tolerant about my writing, the weather will be cold. If I don’t attempt it now, when will I?

2. I have two ideas. I had planned to do a fantasy project, just for fun this year. I was then inspired along a literary fiction kind of line. I don’t want to abandon either idea.

3. I want to. I love the idea of doing 100,000 words in a month.

Reasons against:

1. It’s crazy.

2. I’d be more inclined to cheat on one of them. If I don’t reach the end will I just copy and paste the one into the other?

3. I’m an ML, so I have other responsibilities this month.

4. I have the Anthology to worry about as well.

I am very happy right now for two reasons. First of all Chris and I have finally decided on a title for the Seoul Writers Workshop anthology: Every Second Sunday. This after hours of thinking, discussion with each other and other people. It was one of many suggestions thrown out during Chris’ birthday drinks last night. When he suggested it it definitely clicked with both of us – which was what we had been waiting for.

Secondly, I have also finally finished my short story for the anthology. All I need is a title (uh-oh!) It was gratifying to make the ending work, and it actually helped me realize one of the themes of the story as well.

Later today I’m meeting with some of the Seoul based Wrimos to get to know each other before November. We are having coffee and then going to the second hand book store.

I am generally of the opinion that Nanowrimo is a great thing for the amateur/aspiring writer. One of the biggest problems for a/a writers is that they have no real motivation to finish beyond self. Even if said writer manages to finish something, getting a foot in the door of the publishing industry is next to impossible.

Nanowrimo sets a target and a time limit. The lead-up is great fun and before long the a/a writer is full of anticipation, running through ideas in their head, plotting and character building. I had my own wave of inspiration earlier this week. I am ready to write… with more than ten days to go!

The rules of Nano state that would be authors don’t start their projects until November 1st. Now, there is no system to enforce this rule, but I like to play by the rules. Also, as I am a Municipal Liaison (support staff for participants) this year I really shouldn’t be rule-breaking.

The ten days that are left are really irritating me, because I know how my mind works. By November the first I will have decided that my idea is lame and I won’t be able to use it.

Roll on November!

Yesterday I was reading a short story written by a writer I know and I was hit with inspiration for my Nanowrimo novel for November. I was very pleased about this, seeing myself finishing the novel, getting it published, and then being interviewed by one of the big weekend papers (no real preference, but The Guardian or The Times.)

This is the same reaction I have whenever I get a new idea. I immediately think it is the best idea anyone has ever had, and what a wonderful novel it is going to create.

One of these days it’s going to be true!

I have been blog-free for a long time – until yesterday when I was discussing the advantages of blogging with one of my students and I spent a long time trying to convince her that blogging is a more interesting presentation topic than different kinds of coffee. Not different kinds of coffee as in different beans, different kinds of coffee as in expresso, americano, caffe latte etc. Hmmm. This being better than ‘the health benefits of clapping,’ which one particularly empty headed-looking girl wanted to do. This from students at a top-five Korean university.

I am really getting annoyed of work. It’s not boring really, it’s certainly not stressful or difficult. It’s just not intellectually challenging for me. My outside-of-work projects are just so much more interesting. 

Things are ticking over with the anthology – the deadline is tomorrow, and Chris and are are currently discussing the title. The problem is the need to include something about Korea in the title, without using the word ‘kimchi.’ However kimchi is one of the only recognizable Korean things. In good news we have an awesome looking cover mocked-up.

Personally, I still have to finish my short story for it. I have two hours on English help desk today, so I’m hoping I can get something done then.

It’s Tuesday, a day on which I don’t need to be at work until 3pm. This would be a perfect time to get some writing done. Instead I am playing Scramble on Facebook and blogging. This procrastination is really bugging me…

I used to really enjoy writing. I’m sure i did. I’m not sure when this was but I really did used to enjoy it. Now I put it off and don’t do it even when I have the time.

I slept much better last night, so was able to get up at 7.30 when bf was getting up for work. I now feel invigorated and ready to accomplish the various things I have to do – like go to Costco. Except Costco doesn’t open until 10. Or I could go and get the new shoes I need for my summer wardrobe, but the store doesn’t open until 11.30.

I actually did some research for my novel last night. I’m reading They Fought in the Fields a history of the land girls in WW1 and 2. I’m a little surprised at some of the things in it, but I think I can work some of those things into my novel – with a few changes. However as long as something is even within the remote realms of possibility its possible in fiction.

If I leave at 9, I will get to Costco in time for opening before the ajies arrive and start smashing me in the ankles with trolleys.

I am a novelist. I am a novelist. I am a novelist. I am. I am.

Repeat this every hour of every day, and eventually you will believe it. If you believe you are a novelist, your novel will follow.

I am watching Grey’s Anatomy too much. I am not sleeping well. I am making a powerpoint presentation on how to use the indefinite and definite articles a and the. I am considering taking a shower. I am wondering why I drank a ‘midorita’ last night (a Midori based margarita, if you were wondering).

I am not writing my novel, in case you hadn’t already guessed.

So that’s what this is. This is my space for wordy procrastination. Because it’s important to write every day. You have to wring those words out, even if all you are saying is how worthless your writing is. Here is where I will be blathering on about the random stuff going on around me, and also rambling about the progress of the novel I’m ostensibly writing.

This is then, I suppose, my writing journal. Why put it online? What kind of self-important, delusional writer believes people have any interest in their inner monologue? The answer is that I need something out in the world, even if it’s not my novel.