NaNo, Day Three

Concentration is the secret of strengths in politics, in war, in trade, in short in all management of human affairs. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day two of NaNo was tough. I couldn't focus and spent way too much time with my heroine bemoaning her fate: I'm old, I'm fat, I'm stupid, I'm worthless -- well, wah wah wah. Join the club, woman.

No, that part won't make it in to the final draft.

I did think of some fun things to do today in Day Three -- it's amazing what your half-conscious-almost-asleep brain can think of as you're dropping off at night.

In contemplating characterizations (or the lack thereof), I thought of the song "Who I Am" by Jessica Andrews which says in part:

I know exactly who I am

I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done
My mommas still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me
And they know just where I stand
Its all a part of me
And that's who I am

Sometimes I think that we limit ourselves to the basics when we think of our characters… not all the time, but if we described ourselves, what would we say first?

I'm a brunette?

I'm five feet nine inches tall?

I could stand to lose fifteen pounds?

That's probably what I would say… but it's not who I am. If I dyed my hair and slumped, if I lost weight, would I still be me? Absolutely.

I'm Sarah's mom. I'm a romance writer who doesn't always believe in happily ever after, but hopes for it every day. I find reality in music and escape in stories and challenge in a good mystery. I love sunshine and chocolate, and I believe that flowers and animals make life worth living.

Who are you?

====================

I'm burnt, so this is most likely the final NaNo word count for the day: 2,421 words

For a grand total of:

8,054 / 50,000