I previously had a character in my story--my husband who I named "Dennis"--who looked exactly like Viggo Mortensen. LOTR Viggo. Hidalgo Viggo. Not the Viggo who played the guy undercover as a Russian and got into a wrestling match/fight with a guy in a spa, resulting in a bit of fleeting full-frontal male nudity. Not that Viggo. (And no, Val, I still have not seen the Viggo movie you keep touting. I apologize profusely.)
I kept a photo of Dennis/Viggo in front of my laptop to keep myself immersed in the story. But I would find that hours and hours would pass, and all I would have to show for it would be a puddle of drool on my keyboard. No words...for hours and hours.
Perhaps my "inspiration" is too distracting? I deliberated, and decided I should transform the "Dennis" character, changing what he looks like, and see if that makes a difference.
Here is the new Dennis:
What do you think? Do you think (the late) Victor French-like Dennis will keep me more on track?
Help me. Please. I'm drowning in an empty swimming pool of words...
(Currently, my NaNo word count--since November 1--is 14,139 which might seem quite anemic, but those are words added to my 2012 NaNoWriMo, bringing it up to a grand total of 70,650. Of course, after November ends, I will be slashing and burning and revising, but I am getting closer to the conclusion of this story...and am spackling up some of the plot "holes.")
Here. This will help you escape that empty swimming pool. By filling it up with saliva, so you can float to the top and climb out.
ReplyDeletehttp://i500.listal.com/image/1896953/500full.jpg
Let it never be said that Val does not like to help people.
Merci. Or should I say, "Mercy!" instead?
DeleteHowever, I prefer "Dennis" with a little longer hair. But beggars can't be choosers...
I think you could get a lot of words just showing this guy's personality!
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
But Pat, I'm not writing a horror story. ;)
DeleteI don't know, Sioux. I think drowning in salvia might be a small price to pay for that first Dennis! Don't despair, whatever you do. You are half a course ahead of where you were in October...don't beat yourself up if you see a lot of track left.
ReplyDeleteClaudia--Believe me, I'm happy with the plodding pace I'm experiencing. Every bit of plot (plodding plot--ha!) is getting me that much closer to a "finished" manuscript that is ready for revising...
DeleteThanks for the encouragement...
Oh dear, you could sure develop the story with this photo. Then again, I could supply you with a photo of an Irish dude.
ReplyDeleteLinda--Apparently you and Pat are wanting me to write a horror story. That Irish dude of yours is waaay too frightening for me to include in my novel.
DeleteThanks but no thanks. ;)
I know of another French-like Dennis picture that would dry up that drool pool in a jiffy, but the partial frontal nudity might give you the sudden, inexplicable urge to set your story in Vienna....
ReplyDeleteTammy--Did someone say "sausage"?
DeleteYou are right. The picture you're speaking of is definitely "breath-taking."
I'm behind too. Looking for someone to word war with to help push things along. Let me know if you're interested!
ReplyDeleteAndrea--I'm afraid I would not be a worthy opponent. However, I am sure someone will step up to your challenge.
DeleteMy obstacles--mid quarter progress reports for my students, a home improvement project, a kid coming in for the holidays...(whine, whine whine)
Good luck, Andrea.
Hmm. The Victor/Viggo dilemma. Victor does look more like a Dennis, and he's French ... plus has a broader, um, sense of humor ...
ReplyDeleteMarcia--Yes, you've hit the nail on the head. Such a difficult decision--Viggo or Victor???
DeleteHmm....why is the Super Mario Bros. theme song playing in my head right now? The mustache, maybe. I think if you really want to solve your problem you'll tape a pic of Marty Feldman to your laptop. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa--And how would I tell if he was making eye contact with me? ;)
DeleteIs that MacGruber? Listen, I can't get past the 70,000+ words... you BIT... oops, I mean... Good for you!!! I'm only 65,000+ words behind! ; )
ReplyDeleteBut--as it is--your novel is already way ahead of mine. The voice in your YA is unerring.
DeleteYOU are the BIT..
Hey, I'm so behind with blogs because of NaNo, so maybe try that - just totally ignore everyone and no pictures either because if I stared at the first Dennis on my screen, I wouldn't be doing much writing either... and congrats - when did you make it in the CS Multitasking Mom's Survival Guide??? Linda better beware.
ReplyDeleteLynn--Ignore Viggo? Never.
ReplyDeleteThanks. They could still pull the story a month before publication, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. And no, Linda has nothing to worry about. She's still 20 or so ahead of me... (If we could only break BOTH of her arms--and keep them in casts for a long time--that MIGHT slow her down. But it's doubtful...)