Comments for Novel, Day 19

Novel, Day 19

2003-11-20T07:28:47Z

36,119 words. Here's the latest (ch.42 onwards).

I'd be interested to know if anyone is reading this and if so, what are your thoughts. I don't have much time to respond to your comments, but I do appreciate them.

Comment from Janet Tokerud on 2003-11-19

2003-11-20T05:45:55Z

Hi- Just checking in as requested. I've been enjoying your novel in the making. I got a little put off by the port holes portion not quite getting it but after a brief hiatus, finished chapter 41 and then the rest tonight. I am really curious what's going on in this novel. I like the part where Florrie is upset and trying to figure out what's going on. This is definitely fun.

Comment from Richard MacManus on 2003-11-20

2003-11-20T19:03:36Z

Thanks for your comments. I think the dream sequences (the port-holes) will need some re-writing. It was a stream of conciousness thing, more experimenting with the novel form. But William Burroughs I ain't (which is probably a good thing!). I'm at the stage now where I need to start bringing the bits and pieces together so it runs up to a suitable finish. This is a challenge, especially when there's an alien character involved :-) I'm pleased to hear you are enjoying ths story. One thing I've learned with Nanowrimo is that because of the very tight timeframe, it's the storyline that becomes important rather than fretting over the quality of the words...which was probably the thing that prevented me from attempting a novel before. Nanowrimo really pushes you to keep moving the story forward.

Comment from Janet Tokerud on 2003-11-20

2003-11-20T23:58:39Z

Well, from the beginning you've been talking about the ideas that are important. So, I think the storyline, the experimentation with ideas is very valuable and doesn't have much to do with the refinement of the wording. You Go! I really liked your last installment, so can't wait for the next post!

Comment from Pedro Vera on 2003-11-21

2003-11-21T14:39:03Z

I have been reading the site daily but I have not started reading your novel yet.

Comment from Janet Tokerud on 2003-11-21

2003-11-21T15:49:58Z

One more thing about the writing. I've felt like it has been awfully good for a rush job that the Nanowrimo 30-day limit puts you in. It's clear that you are taking this seriously as a chance to write a novel, knowing that you'll want to refine it later, but still trying to have it be the best first 30-day novel you can write within the tough circumstances you outlined at the beginning of this venture. You have done a magnificent job within the context of this. And, once again, I want to remind you to let the inner critique take breather and just write. A big part of this has to be turning it over and letting it rip. Thanks for being so courageous as to take this on.

Comment from Erik Benson on 2003-11-21

2003-11-21T18:35:40Z

I too have been reading, but have fallen behind. I plan on catching up after this weekend though, as I'll hopefully be done with my silly novel by then. I'm glad to see that you're going to make it, though... of the four or five people I started watching at the beginning, you're the only one that's still around. :)

Comment from Richard MacManus on 2003-11-21

2003-11-21T20:09:14Z

Thanks everyone for your comments, it's amazing how much encouragement I get from getting feedback. The wonders of the Two-Way Web eh ;-) You're absolutely right Janet, I have to ensure my inner critic is kept in check until the 30 days is up!

Erik, I too have been trying to read your novel but I've fallen behind. I certainly will read through it once I've gotten my own novel finished. I look forward to reading some other Nanowrimo novels too. I've noticed that of the 15 or so Wellington people who started Nanowrimo, only two of us seem to have made it this far. So goes to show how tough this is.

ps I'm nearly at 40k words now. I'll post an update later on today or early tomorrow. I want to get through some work this weekend (it's Sat morn as I write this).