Write-ins

Writers: a lonely occupation, made up of odd people lost in the worlds inside their head, people a bit cut-off from normal real life. That's the impression a lot of people have of writers. Many more think of writing as an essentially solitary activity - I certainly did that. Until I went to a write-in today, in London. For the non-NaNoers amongst you (and I shall flatter myself that one day, someone who isn't a NaNoer will read this blog entry, even if it's just because it accidentally comes up under a search for purple polka dotted umbrellas, or something - sorry about that, if you were really looking for purple polka dotted umbrellas. I own one, but that's probably not much help to you - I bought it in C&A in Nice. They probably don't have any more. Umbrellas are like hen's teeth down there.)

Anyway, write-ins - a whole load of writers - in this case, all doing NaNoWriMo - meet in one place, and sit for two hours writing. Interspersed with chatting, and eating and drinking. It was surprisingly fun, the people weren't at all weird like I half-feared, and I shall definitely make an effort to go again soon!

Thank you, London NaNoers, for making me feel welcome - and for helping me boost my wordcount to a very respectable 6674! I've now caught up from Tuesday's almost complete failure and am back where I should be!

Change of plans...

In best NaNo tradition, I've completely changed my mind about my story. At the last minute. I'm now going to write a murder mystery, set in a small Breton island village of 800 inhabitants, where there has been no murder for 100 years. Until now. The island doesn't even have a policeman full-time - someone comes over during the summer.

Think of the festering resentments that would build up there. And the coverups of murders during the world wars, the Algerian war, the blackmail and bullying that could take place. It's going to be like Midsommer Murders, but French. Awesome. Also, based on a real-life story that this weekend's papers talked about - I can't wait, I can almost smell the mist and rotting fish in the harbour now...