In order to make my 50,000 word goal, I'll have to write 1,666 words of unbelievably awful fiction every day this month! It's already harder than I thought. Sure I made word count today, but it's 98% TERRIBLE dialogue. Anyway, I said I was going to share, so here goes:
Thirteen years ago, Adam came home from a post-graduation trip to Europe, climbed onto his chair at this very dinner table and proudly announced that he was a homosexual. The rest of us had known for years, but Mom and Dad reacted as if it was something he’d picked up in Spain, like a mosquito virus or a Eurorail pass or a new recipe for Sangria. Three years later, I took my own post-apocalyptic trip to Europe and came home pregnant. Needless to say, none of the five remaining Whelan siblings were ever allowed to leave the sanctity of the US border again.
So far, I like it!
Let's see if Typepad eats this comment...
Posted by: bethany actually | November 01, 2009 at 11:18 PM
Oooooh. I'm intrigued. I added you as a nano buddy. And yeah, it's going to be tough. I did not hit my word count on the first day. Honestly though since this is my first time, I'm not going to beat myself up if I don't hit. If I can get to 30k I will be pleased.
Posted by: Carrisa | November 02, 2009 at 07:07 AM
sounds good so far!
Posted by: melissa | November 02, 2009 at 07:16 AM
I like it. Keep it coming.
Posted by: Lipstick Jane | November 02, 2009 at 07:30 AM
So...have you submitted your book to the publishers that requested it?
Posted by: Kim | November 02, 2009 at 07:33 AM
Sounds like a good story, keep it coming!
Posted by: Molly | November 02, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Carrisa,
It gets easier the more you write, I PROMISE. The first few chapters of GRAVY were like having a root canal; the rest were only fillings.
Keep with it!
XO,
Amanda
Posted by: Amanda Mandajuice | November 02, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I like this paragraph and now am incensed that I have to wait until tomorrow to read more :)
Posted by: Erin | November 02, 2009 at 10:51 AM
My maiden name is Whelan. Nice choice! :)
Posted by: Stacy | November 02, 2009 at 12:33 PM
It's good, it's really good, but I think the use of the term homosexual is outdated. If this is set in the 80s or earlier, you might be able to use it, but as a queer person myself, I have to say 99.99% of queer people I know do not use the term "homosexual" except in a kind of laughy/sarcastic way. It's awfully clinical.
Posted by: rosetta | November 02, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Thanks, rosetta! This is why I always nut-up and share my rough drafts. It makes the second drafts so much easier. 'Gay' it is...
Posted by: Amanda Mandajuice | November 02, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Great! Love it! Keep it coming. :)
Posted by: Melissa | November 02, 2009 at 05:40 PM
I want more!
Posted by: Alison | November 02, 2009 at 07:51 PM