Monday, November 10, 2008

Chasing 50,000 words


I'm feeling sort of loser-ish at the moment, a suspected root cause is most possibly a stress inducing competition that I had brainlessly signed up for because I apparently am not under enough stress as it is. The past week saw me staring at my word document. I'd type something that seems interesting only to delete it all a little while later. It's hard to say it, but I think I'm going to cave in to the urge to hide my pen under the carpet and never look at it again for sometime.

Nevertheless, this less than anticipated outcome has made me learn a few things about me attempting to write in general, and they are:

1. If you are female and your name is not Sue Townsend, do not attempt to make your 'ahem' protagonist a male, because it will only end in disaster. Or worse, he will be effeminate and be the laughing stock of all your other characters
2. As much as JD Salinger made it work with Holden Caulfield and his first person narrative in Catcher in the Rye, do not be tempted to pull something similar, because it may just not work.
3. Do not attempt to write something that could happen in real life. A wild imagination is the key in getting 50K words in 30 days.
4. Stick to short stories, because they are more controllable, which means that you have to give this particular competition a pass.

Anyway, on a different note.... I saw this website that can apparently identify your gender based on your writing. It might be a fun site to procrastinate with. A check on this blog says that it's gender neutral (but with a slight preference for female)

12 comments:

  1. my blog has the same 'gender' as yours.... neutral but slightly feminine!

    As for NaNoWriMo don't feel hemmed in by the comp. Do things on your own terms!

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  2. I'm apparently 68% male.. i'm not sure whether to be pleased or dismayed. I suppose I should look at it as an affirmation of my masculinity.. and not worry about that other 32%.. =P

    Good luck on the writing!! I love to write, but not stories, so I certainly admire you for doing something I couldn't do in a million years! =D

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  3. A blank Word document can be an intimidating thing, indeed. But hang in there!

    "We think http://my-noypi-mind.blogspot.com is written by a woman (70%)."

    Whew!

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  4. Well, I'm 75% male by my blog, and ALL MAN below the belt, baby! Yeah! LOL

    Sorry to hear about your nano difficulties. I suspect you're thinking too much about it. :)

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  5. aunty: *hi five* And yes, I'm very stressed out by the whole thing... maybe I'm just not NaNoWriMo material :)

    mike: If you look at it that way, I'm supposed to be very worried about my results! And thanks for the wishes...

    lizza: lol @ whew! And I'll attempt to hang in there for a bit more :)

    ian: Whoa... 75%? That's pretty much the highest in this section at the moment :)

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  6. For someone who knows so much about writing I'm suprised you don't have anything to write.

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  7. Oh, I don't know them. They're things that crossed my mind while attempting to write. A typical procrastinator's dilemma!

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  8. Pssh. Don't think about it, just write and write and write.

    The last two installments of ASM were written purely on the stop. I had no idea I'd create something so unique. But I've written a fair few novel length stories that would now embarass me to publish. ASM was a matter of confidence and effort. You've a great sense of humour, exploit that ;)

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  9. Oh, I will... maybe just not for NaNo, though. And thanks :)

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  10. Dont say that, its not Salinger and Catcher in the Rye, its zen and the art of motor cycle maintenance, the case of exploding mangoes and several other books, I actually read the books a bit before I buy them, if its in first person, i most definitly buy it.

    you know what, I have been wanting to write fiction ever since I read catcher in the rye. There was a time, in my younger days, when i used to copy Holden's 'It kills me' all the time.

    In any case, I am sure it will come along sooner or later. Dont push yourself too hard :)

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  11. and i am 69 per cent male !!!!!


    the last time i checked, i was a girl, gender analyzer have lost it since then ...

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  12. I totally love the phrase "it kills me" Haven't used much of it though. Holden is so fascinating... Ha!Ha! I've checked my blog's gender again and now I'm a man. Dang!

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