michaeljasper.net
"Another Wrecked Web Site"
DARE JOURNAL: WEEK FIVE
Okay, what's a Dare? It's a challenge for writers to produce a lot of material in a relatively short period of time. Previous Dares have been one month or three months in length, with the same result: the first draft of a book.
Check out the other Dare writers:
Camille LaGuire, Derek James, Kelly Searsmith, Lyda Morehouse, Rebecca Maines, Sarah Stegall, and T.M. Spell.
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November 1, 2000
Today's Words:
300
Today's Quote:
The rest of the year was made up of chilly, gray days, filled with violence from the growing ranks of gangs as well as road rage attacks and random shootings. Having lived in the Midwest all his life, Josh could handle the cold. But the lack of sun and the constant stream of bad news on the TV and Net chipped away at his spirits to the point where he needed nicotine just to get through a day.
Back into the fantasy novel, again. It was good taking a few days off, though of course I was stressing and worrying that I'd never write again. I guess I need to do that every now and then to realize I can't stop writing. It would be against my natjure.
So, as another new month begins, I was able to do some poking and prodding to the existing chapters of the novel, and added some bits and pieces here and there. I'm liking the character of Jersey, a lot, and am thinking about redoing the first chapter, changing the point of view from the bum to one of the kids trying to get into the gang who jump him. We'll see.
As for the October word count, well, it wasn't my highest month ever (that was April of this year, with an amazing 17,100), but I think I came to terms with a lot of important things, writing-related and not writing-related, so it was worth it. I wouldn't want to go through with it again, believe me. But sometimes life has to take you down a peg so you can remember what's important. And while writing is important to me and makes my everyday life more meaningful, it's not the end-all and be-all of my existence. And shouldn't be for anyone, I don't think, but I'm talking just for myself. I'm just glad my wife puts up with me... ;)
mjj
October 31, 2000
Today's Words:
0
Hello.
Not much happening 'round here. Busy at work. Taking a trip to California again, this time to San Francisco for a day. Looking forward to the flight so I can read a lot. May even bring my laptop to write. We'll see. I'm a bit burned out on writing for now. Taking a break. Catching up on sleep and other priorities.