Wednesday, November 5, 2014

IWSG: My Little Monster


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

For the last two IWSG posts, I bemoaned my poor horror novella, the one that refuses to come out from the dark, dusty corner where it's been hiding. I managed to coax it out in time for NaNoWriMo . . . only to find that what I thought was a pretty good story was really a giant clump of grisly ideas, cracked characters and mucous-y dialogue strands that have since formed a vile puddle beneath my feet. And did I mention the various eyeballs? Some look at me with total trust, others with desperation, and still others with snide contempt.

As ugly as the little monster is, though, it is still mine. And this November, we're a team. I'm handcuffing myself to one of its many wildly gesticulating hairy arms and dragging it through NaNoWriMo-Land.

What will happen at the end of the month? Will I come back with a sweet little novella or a shiny novel holding my hand as we cross Success Street? Or will the Monster make quick work of whatever sanity I've got left and leave me behind like roadkill?

Hmm . . . maybe I'd better appoint someone to wipe up all the Monster drool. Just in case. The tortoises do like a clean blog . . . .

74 comments:

  1. "...mucous-y dialogue strands that have since formed a vile puddle beneath my feet."

    Lol. Sounds perfect for a horror story :-) Good luck with NaNo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The best of luck with it! Hope you get back safe...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hah! I'm loving the sound of that monster...puddle, thing on the floor. You're totally going to rock it with NaNo, and then you'll come back, chest puffed out and proudly declare, "I was never worried." ;)

    Unleashing the Dreamworld

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I'm not sure I will ever say the words "I was never worried" but thank you for thinking I could. :)

      Delete
  4. Ewww, mucous-y lol! Good luck! You can do it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good luck! Lose an eyeball. Sounds like you have enough to spare.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Haha your monster of a story sounds.. gross! Good luck with the wrangling this month! I'm totally pantsing one of my NaNo projects this year so I don't even know yet if it's a monster or a nice little thing. Should be interesting to find out... (I'm frodofrog @ NaNo if you want to be buddies!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck to you, too! I'll look for you next time I'm over on the NaNo site.

      Delete
  7. Good luck! Shall we keep mops on hand just in case? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. HAHA! Love your monstery descriptions. I think often stories start as parts. Don't be afraid to leave gaps you fill in later if you have a broader thread of a story you are adhering to--the filler will come.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to get better at leaving those gaps. I tend to like to go in order so I'm experimenting with jumping around.

      Delete
  9. I think you'll be able to whip the monster into shape and come out of this month with something you can be proud of. :) Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Loved your monster descriptions, had to wipe lots of drool to be able to read the blog post ;)
    You will come up with a shiny novel by the end of NaNoWiMo. Fingers crossed for you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good luck! If your amazing descriptions in this blog post are any indication, I think it will turn out just fine. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks, Sarah. Right now, writing my NaNo novel feels like wading through a swamp of monster snot and saliva. :)

      Delete
  12. Monster drool! lol love it ;)

    Good luck with it and with NaNo, you can do it!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Best of luck taming that monster! ;) (Maybe you should use some of those descriptions in the story! :P)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Slay that monster or at least tame it. Bless you for taking on NaNo.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My little monster and I will take all the blessings we can get....

      Delete
  15. I bet it's wonderful. I have total faith in you!! Well, as long as you don't slip on drool or an eyeball.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Normally I write barefoot but I think I might need some flip flops...although they won't be much protection against those mushy eyeballs....

      Delete
  16. I have faith! You are an awesome writer and you and your story will get there.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Haha! Great monster descriptions—I was already freaked out just from reading your post, so I think you are well on your way! And don't forget that novels (or novellas) aren't written, they're rewritten. So go wrangle that beast! Good luck! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will do my best to "wrangle that beast" - I just hope it doesn't end up wrangling me. :)

      Delete
  18. This post is FUNNY! I hope you emerged unscathed at the end of NaNo--wouldn't want that monster to be handcuffed to you permanently. Whip that thing into shape!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just the thought of being handcuffed to it permanently...eek! :o

      Delete
  19. Ha! We're all creating creepy ugly monsters in November. But you know what? That's what revision is for! Good luck to you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just got this image in my head of bands of creepy ugly monsters coming into being all over the NaNo-ing world....

      Delete
  20. Hehehe, I love this description, and I am right there with you (yes, again, with the novel that refuses to die or be tamed). It looks like you are rocking the word count so far! I hope the story continues to behave...as much as one can expect a horror monster to behave, anyway ;-).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is your year to finally tame that monster/novel - I know it! And the only reason my word count is pretty good is because I've been feeding chocolate to the little guy and petting him nicely. It soothes him. :)

      Delete
  21. You have to show it you can be a monster, too!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm betting you'll be crossing Success Street. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Just drag that monster and all the various eyeballs and spare parts across to Success Street! I know you can do it! And then, the tortoises can help clean up. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The tortoises like things clean but only if they don't have to do the work. :)

      Delete
  24. Here. *Hands over a roll of paper towel*
    Go forth and NaNo! :D

    ReplyDelete
  25. I loved that post. :) The story already sounds juicy. Your novella will be like Frankenstein's monster and at the end of the month you'll be screaming, "It's alive!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I love the idea of screaming "It's alive!" at the end of November. :)

      And thank you for Following us here a TSR!

      Delete
  26. I've been in NaNoWriMo land! Good luck! Take breaks, and have some chocolates handy. You might also find out if there's a local NaNoWriMo group that's meeting near you. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You don't have to tell me twice about having chocolate handy.... :)

      Delete
  27. Best of luck! I know you can make that monster SIT!
    Heather

    ReplyDelete
  28. My suggestion? Feed it! It should calm right down. Probably hungry for words, ideas and action!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Its a start though, right? I'm sure you will be a conquering hero, and the story will love you for it :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Best of luck my friend!! You have my support :) Have a wonderful weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I've heard a lot about NaNo writing and I'm getting interested. First though, my time. I need to get organized. But thanks for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome! And good luck if you decide to give NaNo a try.

      Delete
  32. Oh dear, I hope you don't end up as roadkill. Perhaps you should tackle this particular manuscript with a whip and chains. It sounds like a real monster.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hehe, I hope the battle goes well for you.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hehehe. Hopefully the turtles haven't had to clean up too much. I hope your little monster is doing well. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My little monster and I are working well together... so far....

      Delete