Excerpt #2

My word count for NaNoWriMo is falling short, but i refuse to give in. I've put in so many words to the blogger named "30 Days in a Van" that i am falling in love. Falling in love with writing. With the seclusion and emptiness of my van. Despite the fact that one of the kids spilled milk in here and it smells like crap. I will not cry over spilt milk.

The novel is depressing at best and a testament to my tenacious nature at worst.

I am on Chapter Nine. The eighth story. It has been incredibly painful to write as it is mostly a reflection on my life. Non-fiction with creative license. I won't be going all James Frey and calling it an autobiography though.

Here is a small excerpt:

I spent the summer of my eleventh year in Portugal with a soon to be divorced, miserable couple who would drink too much wine every night, then make loud passionate love in our small villa. I spent my days reading horror novels about brothers and sisters locked in attics, while sitting on the edge of a large cliff overlooking a small bay full of poor fisherman bringing in their daily catch to sell to the local tourist traps.

Posted by Jess at 05:20 PM Permalink

Comments (9)

MontanaJen

"I spent my days reading horror novels about brothers and sisters locked in attics"

Oh my - VC Andrews?!?

I was so dark when I read them.

Wow - powerfully descriptive, though. Good job! Keep slammin' - I would only imagine (as I've never undertaken a project like Nanowromo) that one day your word count will shoot way, way up, as you will experience a crazy-ass creative rush.

Posted by MontanaJen | November 8, 2006 08:16 PM

Suebob

I want to know more!!

Posted by Suebob | November 8, 2006 09:46 PM

Elizabeth

Seriously, Portugal? When you were eleven? There has got to be an interesting story there.

Posted by Elizabeth | November 9, 2006 06:38 AM

missmisse

what is nanowrimo?

Posted by missmisse | November 9, 2006 10:49 AM

jess

It's the National Novel Writing Month.

http://www.nanowrimo.org

Posted by jess | November 9, 2006 12:19 PM

Karen

Ah, I see someone else commented on VC Andrews too. I remember my painful reading of those books. Those were the times.

Good luck on your novel!

Karen

Posted by Karen | November 9, 2006 05:18 PM

LetterB

The picture of you in my head, sitting writing your novel in you minivan, is so poignant and inspiring - i just can't even express how awesome i find the whole thing. Cheering for you!

Posted by LetterB | November 9, 2006 08:52 PM

Lindsey

I always enjoy your blog Jess. I have suffered from depression with some low low times, for different reasons. Writing always helped me when I was going through it. Happy thoughts and hugs coming your way.

Posted by Lindsey | November 10, 2006 07:09 PM

It sounds intriguing.

I'm just now getting caught up on everyone who's participating in NaNoBlowMe or whatever it's called. Good lord, I've missed over a week and that's eight or nine posts per blogger - a LOT of reading. I can't imagine what it's like to have to write all that PLUS a novel this month!!

I hope you're feeling a bit better today.

Posted by TB | November 15, 2006 08:04 AM