I had originally planned this story as a #fridayflash, but no matter what I did I couldn’t seem to get it under 1,000 words. I wanted to post it before the end of November though (in honor of Nanowrimo), since it was inspired by a discussion during a Pre-Nanowrimo Meetup. Enjoy!
Dream Guy
This story has been temporarily removed because it will be appearing in another publication. Thank you for the interest!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today, I am very thankful that I don’t have to cook (much) except for 2 pecan pies and a sweet potato casserole. I am also grateful that I finished Nanowrimo a week early!
On Monday, November 23rd (or Day 23) I won Nanowrimo for the third time! Yay me! My final word count (according to Open Office) was 51,874 words. When I verified it on the official Nanowrimo word validator, it showed 51,757 words. There’s always some discrepancy between word counts when using different processors. It’s sort of disheartening to find you’ve lost 117 words for no apparent reason, but I guess out of 51K words it’s not that bad.
And for anyone following me, my son (Minimeder) also finished and won the Young Writer’s Program for Nanowrimo on Sunday (Day 22). He’d set a word goal of 2,000 words, which is epic for an 8 year old. He wrote a wonderful novel entitled “Dragon Teeth and Chicken Wings” which I look forward to helping him edit in the future. This was his 2nd year participating in (and winning) the Young Writer’s Program.
We’ve both gotten a lot from Nanowrimo. Minimeder told me that he hopes to see his name on a book in a store or library someday. His writing style has changed incredibly in just the past year. I loved his story from last year, Monster bat’s Adventure’s in the who-knows-what-name-it-is place, but his style had improved by leaps and bounds in just 12 short months. I’m more proud of him than he could possibly ever know.
We make a point of setting small rewards for ourselves along the way and a big reward at the end if (when) we win. This year, our halfway reward was our favorite candy bar. We each got a whole one to ourselves. Christopher picked a (Doctor Who) sonic screwdriver as his big winner reward, and I chose a pair of silver earrings I’ve been eying and dinner at my favorite restaurant (so I could have vegan sushi). We had dinner there on Tuesday night, and the vegan sushi was delicious!
I need to be going. Even though I’ve already baked this morning, there are still a few things I need to do to get ready. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Turkey Day
Everyone appreciated the table setting, though it didn’t stay neat for long. Pilgrims? Indians? Counting blessings? Bah, everyone knew this day was about turkey.
Uncle Albert, Sally, and the other guests walked over to the table. Spread on the red and white checkered print, a dozen turkeys gorged themselves on cranberry pie, roasted vegetables, and veggie stuffing. Shiny pie plates scattered as the birds emptied the contents into their stomachs as well as onto the colorful cloth. A few feathered friends waddled arduously around the table. They seemed good natured, despite their ample girth impeding their gait. The air was filled with pleasant clucking sounds, while their admirers smiled and chatted among themselves.
“When you asked if I’d go to a turkey dinner, this isn’t exactly what I had in mind,” chided Uncle Albert.
His niece smiled, reached over, and gently stroked the feathers on Charity’s back. “Well, the holiday is about counting our blessings; isn’t it?” she asked. “I bet the turkeys are thankful that they’re not dinner.”
Her uncle laughed, hearty and long. He didn’t mind. He wouldn’t go hungry. “Yeah, you might be right.”
After they’d finished, most of the turkeys were driven to their newly adopted homes in a special van. The people left behind waved appreciatively as they sped away. All the birds were gone now, except for the one that Sally continued to pet. Charity snuggled up against the girl and closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the hand on her back. Despite her tragic past, she followed the girl quietly into her Uncle’s van.
Albert smiled and pulled the van door closed. They were going to another feast where the turkey was an honored guest. She’d have chickens and ducks to play with in a nice grassy yard. He knew from experience that Sally loved all the animals she shared her home with. She considered them treasured friends. Charity would never want for anything again.
When they arrived home the entire family (feathered and non) would enjoy roasted vegetables and sweet potato pie. They would celebrate companionship, friendship, family, and an appreciation for the blessing of simply being alive.
Maybe the holiday was about more than just turkey after all.
The end.
*This story was inspired by Farm Santuary‘s Adopt a Turkey program. For a small donation, participants get a photo and short bio of their sponsored turkey.
My Nanowrimo Honesty Chart
One of my tried and true methods for making sure I write my 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of November is shame. I’m completely serious. The more people I tell that I’m going to do this crazy thing, the more embarrassing it’ll be if I don’t win; won’t it? So in the interest of abject humiliation making defeat unacceptable and thereby insuring I make my monthly quota, I give you my Daily Word Count Goals for the month of November along with what I ACTUALLY write…whether I make my (daily) goals or not. Since this is a motivational tool, it’s important that I’m very honest. My Honesty Chart will be updated weekly (hopefully) inbetween my Fridayflash short stories.*
I also update my wordcount on Twitter. My twitter name is also ganymeder, so feel free to follow me.
GOAL FOR END OF WEEK 2: 24,000 words
actually reached: 36,099 words for the week.
I didn’t write that much Sunday (Day 15). Normally I aim for about 2400 words (excluding weekends), and lately I’ve written over the weekends since I had momentum and time. Sunday I just didn’t feel it. I wrote about 1,000+ words, which is pretty good for a day that I hadn’t originally set a word goal for. I will write more Monday to keep up my 2400 word pace each day.
My son, Minimeder, fell a little behind in his daily goals this past week, but I’m happy to say that he caught up and surpassed those goals Sunday (15th). His official Young Writer’s Program total stands proudly at 1,040 words total so far (Day 15). He received the coveted Rice-milk chocolate bar as his official Halfway-Mark Award. Way to go, Mini!
Minimeder novellling on Day 15
Happy Novelling!
Day 16: Monday, November 16th: 26,400 words
actually reached: 38,554 words. I didn’t actually get a chance to write much until later in the day, since *someone* kept borrowing my laptop to write his own Young Writer’s Program story (now at 1,239 words). I also had other things I needed to do. I thought I’d get about 1,000 words during Minimeder’s Karate class, but I wasn’t able to sit so I could type well. I only ended up doing 300. So after he went to bed, I stayed up to write about 2,000 more words, but I did it. 
Day 17: Tuesday, November 17th: 28,800 words
actually reached: 39,549 words. I was aiming for 40K, which is still way less than my usual daily goal of 2,400, but I didn’t make it. I’m not too worried about it though. I’m still way ahead, and I’ll catch up to my normal goal tomorrow.
Day 18: Wednesday, November 18th: 31,200 words
actually reached: 41,256 words. So I’m still ahead, but I didn’t meet my daily goal like I planned. I wanted to reach 40K in the morning, and then write 2400 more (which would be about 42,500). Well, that didn’t happen. I figured that I’m far enough ahead that I could safely take the night off. When I listened to the Nanomonkeys podcast, they suggested that if you’re working too hard you should take a break. So I did. I haven’t been taking weekends ‘off’ like I’d planned either, so I figure it’s just like an unscheduled Saturday. I plan on writing my 2400 words daily again starting tomorrow.
Day 19: Thursday, November 19th: 33,600 words
actually reached: 43,607 words. I only got to write about 200-300 words during the day because Minimeder kept borrowing my laptop. He was on a writing roll, and when he realized he’d written about 1,600+ words he told me, “Mom, this is AWESOME.” So… he had my computer a lot that day.
During the Write-In at the coffee shop I made my word goal though. Honestly, I wasn’t that excited to write because I got the words in but they didn’t seem to be progressing the plot much. I even just rambled about why my character preferred to write in notebooks before transferring his work to a computer. It just seemed…blah. So, I had the brilliant idea at bedtime to make their lives more complicated by adding a new, somewhat supernatural character that’s going to give them Hell, or at least try to, quite literally. It should be fun to mess with them some more. I’m looking forward to writing on this again on Friday.
In the meantime, Minimeder continues to plug away. I continue to write daily, but I’ve conceded (word war) victory to Paul_B who has already reached over 52,000 words and is still going strong. Way to go!
Day 20: Friday, November 20th: 36,00 words
actually reached: 45,077 words. Today was another day when I simply didn’t get a chance to write much during the day. I wanted to. I just had a deadline to get my home stuff done by an early time, and then once that deadline was reached I had other things to do and before I knew it it was time for ‘The Office’ which we all watch together as a family. Hey, don’t judge me. Veg time with the family is important too!
So after that, I tried to write again, but there were too many distractions. I ended up having to go into another room by myself (which I hated because I felt so antisocial) and just write until I’d reached my goal. I actually wanted to write more, but I didn’t want my family to feel like I was ignoring them so I stopped.
I did wake up early in the morning, about 2:30, and write another 800 plus words (above the 45K) which was a lot of fun and felt really good and productive. I think my novel will probably go over at this point, but maybe not. Adding that new character was really fun. I’m enjoying it.
In other news, Minimeder is in the 1700′s now and in the home stretch. He very much wants to finish this weekend so he can get his winner’s prize, a ‘Sonic Screwdriver’ I ordered off the Internet for him (we’re big ‘Doctor Who’ fans). Honestly, I can’t blame him. It’s really cool. It even comes with psychic paper.
Day 21: Saturday, November 21st: 1+ words WEEKEND
actually reached:
Day 22: Sunday, November 22nd: 1+ words WEEKEND
actually typed:
ULTIMATE GOAL: 50K Novel completed by Midnight on the last day of November. Then I can drink large quantities of chocolate soymilk in celebration and anticipation of December (traditionally known as the month of Withdrawal).
FAMISHED
Gregory picked up his knife and fork and quickly dug into his steak, extra rare and juicy, just how he liked it.
“You aren’t really going to put that in your mouth, are you?” asked a deep, bass voice behind him. Gregory turned suddenly, already chewing. It’d been a hard week. He was famished.
No one in the restaurant paid attention to him. He shrugged his shoulders, continued chewing, and turned his attention back to his meal. The skin of his potato crackled pleasantly as he split it with his knife and applied butter and sour cream. Steam rose from the plate.
“I would have thought the potato would be rather nice without all that,” continued the voice.
His fork hung in midair. Mouth still open, he looked behind him at the oblivious restaurant patrons. Finding nothing and no one amiss, he plopped the bit of potato in his mouth. Then he pushed his nearly empty wine glass away. He’d drink water for the rest of the evening.
“It’s ironic really,” said the voice.
“Alright,” said Gregory, fuming. “Who’s doing that? Is this some sort of joke?” He checked under and around the table. “Where’s the mike?”
“Who’s Mike?” The voice sounded puzzled.
“Oh, like you don’t know. Bill, is that you?” He addressed the empty air. A few patrons glanced at him before returning to their meals.
“It’s amazing what you humans will stick in your mouths,” the bass tone continued. “Pretty gross, really.”
Gregory rolled his eyes and defiantly took another bit of sirloin. He chewed furiously.
“You know that the steak you’re eating used to be part of my butt.”
Gregory nearly spit out his food. With difficulty, he swallowed. “Hey. I’m eating here!” He brandished his knife at the empty air.
“I mean, I have…well, HAD four stomachs, and even I wouldn’t be able to keep that down.”
Gregory seethed.
“You think you’ve had a bad week…” said the voice.
“This is unbelievable! When I find out who…”
“Not as bad as me though,” said the voice.
Gregory stopped and looked at his plate. “Who are you? Really” he whispered.
After a short pause, the voice answered, “Normally, I wouldn’t be given this chance.” A ghostly form materialized before him. Through the shimmering silhouette, Gregory could see the other patrons eating and chatting calmly. “But circumstances happened to be perfect for a little cosmic payback.”
Gregory stared through the apparition at the undisturbed gourmands. “What do you mean?”
”Well, the milk used to make your butter and cream came from my sister. The flesh you’re eating is mine. You’re practically eating my entire family.”
“What do you mean ‘payback?’” His eyes widened in alarm. “You aren’t going to eat me, are you?”
The bovine laughed low and soft. “Me? Heavens, no! I’m a vegetarian!”
The silverware clattered to the floor as Gregory doubled over, his torso convulsed in spasms. He knelt on all fours, retching. His body contorted, shifted, transformed as his screams echoed throughout the establishment.
The other patrons chatted, ate, and made small talk, undisturbed by the scene playing out before them. But when the new bull’s cries caught their attention, they looked at him hungrily.
“I wouldn’t count on anyone else being one though.”
Gregory’s four stomachs flipped, and he passed out.
The end.
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The end
*During Nanowrimo (November), any #Fridayflash stories I post will be ones I prewrote (like this one). Hopefully, I’ll have enough for the month! Inbetween Fridays I have a few prepared Nanowrimo blogposts, and I’ll also post a Nanowrimo Honesty Chart. The Honesty Chart will (hopefully) be updated daily or weekly (not including Fridays) to show my planned progress, my actual progress, and help me win by making it way too embarrassing to lose.
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If anyone wishes, they may follow me as “ganymeder” on Twitter or also at the Nanowrimo website.
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Happy Novelling!
My Nanowrimo Honesty Chart
One of my tried and true methods for making sure I write my 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of November is shame. I’m completely serious. The more people I tell that I’m going to do this crazy thing, the more embarrassing it’ll be if I don’t win; won’t it? So in the interest of abject humiliation making defeat unacceptable and thereby insuring I make my monthly quota, I give you my Daily Word Count Goals for the month of November along with what I ACTUALLY write…whether I make my (daily) goals or not. Since this is a motivational tool, it’s important that I’m very honest. My Honesty Chart will be updated weekly (hopefully) inbetween my Fridayflash short stories.*
I also update my wordcount on Twitter. My twitter name is also ganymeder, so feel free to follow me.
GOAL FOR END OF WEEK 1: 12,000 words
actually reached: OVER 20K…Woot!
*Beginning of Sophomore slump (week 2)- when most Wrimos start to lose drive and have to just keep writing to work through any blocks they might have.
I have to admit, I’m starting to fizzle a little. Not really with words themselves, because I’m not finding it difficult to find words to put down. Rather, it’s that I don’t feel like I’m doing my characters and plot justice. I know from experience though that I need to just write through this and things will pick up.
Day 8: Sunday, November 8th: 1+ words
(I managed to get several hundred words in at Chuck E. Cheese, believe it or not!)
actually reached (total):21,324 words. Actually more than I planned on doing. As I state in the end notes for this blog, weekends are low pressure novelling days for me. It just so happened that I noticed that Paul B was slightly ahead of me, so I wrote extra because I’m word warring with him. Thanks for keeping me on my toes, Paul!
I have several appointments and events I need to take care of this week, so I know it’s going to be busier for me. I’ll have less actual sit-down time to write. So, since I’m so close to the halfway mark (25K), I bought myself my favorite candy bar as an incentive. I’m also waiting to watch the next episode of ‘Dollhouse,’ my favorite show, on Hulu. So those will be my rewards. Once I make 25K, I will have a nice sit down with a pot of tea, my chocolate bar, and my favorite tv show.
Oh, and in case you missed my Week 1 progress report, my son ended the week about 25 percent into his (2000 word) novel. We went for a mini trip this weekend. In the car and at the coffee shop, he asked to borrow my laptop to work on his (Nanowrimo Young Writer’s Program) novel. He made it past 500 words. Way to go!
Photo: Budding young novelist working on his newest creation,’Dragon Teeth and Chicken Wings.’
novel summary: “Dragons are aliens from space, and they’re coming back…from Vacation.”
Day 9: Monday, November 9th: 14,400
actually reached: 23,748 words. Mostly written in barber shop, home between chores, and finally during my son’s karate class. That last one was hard, because I had to watch him and write inbetween. He gets mad if he catches me not looking.
Day 10: Tuesday, November 10th: 16,800 words
actually reached: 25,114 words. I BROKE 25K EARLY! WOOT!
Day 11: Wednesday, November 11th: 19,200 words
actually reached: 27,592 words.
I don’t know why my monthly progress report (right) shows red days. I have been on track or better pretty much every day. You can see my progress my nanopage *here* under NanoStats.
Day12: Thursday, November 12th: 21,600 words
actually reached:
Day 13: Friday, November 13th: 24,000 words
actually reached:
*Did not notice til typing this out, but FRIDAY THE 13TH I should *almost* hit the halfway mark for my 50k novel. Woot!***
Day 14: Saturday, November 14th: 1+ words WEEKEND
actually reached: 35,039 words reached by 12:30pm.
I was not able to update this Honesty Chart much this week due to technical difficulties with my home computer. I did update my Twitter stream regularly though with my progress. Currently, I’m using the library’s computer for the blog updates until my home computer straightens out.
I am happy to say that my plot has picked up considerably, my characters are much more interesting, as are their lives. I’ve introduced new eccentric characters and made my antagonist’s life hell. It’s been really fun. I feel I have a much clearer direction of where I’m going now, and everything is coming together in a nice (albeit pleasantly complicated) way. Vive’ la Bard!
Day 15: Sunday, November 15th: 1+ words WEEKEND
36,099 words for the week.
I didn’t write that much today. Normally I aim for about 2400 words (excluding weekends), and lately I’ve written over the weekends since I had momentum and time. Today I just didn’t feel it. I wrote about 1,000+ words, which is pretty good for a day that I hadn’t originally set a word goal for. I will write more tomorrow and keep up my 2400 word pace each day.
My son, Minimeder, fell a little behind in his daily goals this week, but I’m happy to say that he caught up and surpassed those goals today. His official Young Writer’s Program total now stands proudly at 1,040 words total so far. Way to go, Mini!
Happy Novelling!
GOAL FOR END OF WEEK 2: 24,000 words
actually reached: 36,099 words for the week.
ULTIMATE GOAL: 50K Novel completed by Midnight on the last day of November. Then I can drink large quantities of chocolate soymilk in celebration and anticipation of December (traditionally known as the month of Withdrawal).
Tall Tales
“Do you smell that?” Arthur asked, tipping his rather prominent nose skyward. He sniffed the air.
“Oh, very nice,” complained Bea, waving her hands in from of her face. “You couldn’t have warned me?”
“What? I…no, it smells…weird,” continued Arthur. “It reminds me of the beach somehow.”
Skepticism flashed across her face, followed quickly by surprise as a small thin fish landed on the ground at her feet. “What the…?” The skies opened, and the light drizzle quickly turned to a torrent of rain and fins. The stout Englishman grinned.
“What are you smiling at?” she complained. Soaked and bombarded by small, scaly creatures, she glowered through the deluge at her companion.
“Don’t you understand?” he said pointing to the crumpled bag in her hand. “Fish and chips!”
He removed his hat, inverted it, and caught the deluge. Burdened with his new aquatic acquaintances, he went in search of a fishbowl.
The end
*During Nanowrimo (November), any #Fridayflash stories I post will be ones I prewrote (like this one). Hopefully, I’ll have enough for the month! Inbetween Fridays I have a few prepared Nanowrimo blogposts, and I’ll also post a Nanowrimo Honesty Chart. The Honesty Chart will (hopefully) be updated daily or weekly (not including Fridays) to show my planned progress, my actual progress, and help me win by making it way too embarrassing to lose.
-
If anyone wishes, they may follow me as “ganymeder” on Twitter or also at the Nanowrimo website.