I debated skipping this summer, as I have weekly reading-translating homework from a Finnish literature night class as well as the day job, and all the chores that go with short summers. And the large vegetable garden I swore I wasn't going to put in this year, but just can't waste saved seeds or those cute little seedlings at the farmers market. But hey, a little kick in the writing pants, for a good cause.

My goal is, uh ... 10 pages a week on this thing I've been researching for a long time but need to crappy first draft out, Nanowrimo gung-ho style. I'm behind a week, so I'll try to add some extra here and there. This thing somehow combines straightedge punk, the Spanish civil war, a possessive ghost, feminist poetry from several eras, pop art, and the Iran-Contra scandal. We'll see how that shakes out on the page. (The unicorn cake is just for fun. Hoping a little if its rainbow sprinkles magic rubs off.)

If I don't make the goal in the end, I'll donate a little extra, so don't wish me luck, ha.

7/8/24 Third week in, doing pretty well on meeting the weekly goal. Making progress in the real goal of expanding the characters and  making the story world more lived-in. At first it was a little scary, but it's starting to be clear how that actually serves the themes and plot development. Fingers crossed for the middle not to muddle too much. The garden is loving all our rain. (Minneapolis was Portland for a month and a half.) Even the elusive eggplant is happy. Gives me more early morning writing time to have less watering duties, though weeds and baby trees require attention (but evening is fine for weeding and sawing). 

7/14/24 Steady progress. Really digging in to this fresh draft, doing cheesy writing exercises, solving longstanding problems..Fingers crossed. Watched "The Craft" yesterday for some inspiration. Judge not lest ye be judged, lol. -C

2024 Write-a-thon

Tobias Buckell and Nisi Shawl on stage at Town Hall Seattle during the 2022 Summer Reading Series.

Participants are listed in alphabetical order by first name. You may want to confirm with your writer to find out if they are using their public name, a nickname, or a pseudonym.

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