Off Track - Me and My Characters

[Jess]

Made my NaNoWriMo quota today. 1,697 words.

I'm anxious to start at the beginning and read what I've written. I don't think I'm accomplishing much toward solving the crime. I seem to be creating too much havoc. I have 35,000 words left to write. I need to remember this is supposed to be fun. Shouldn't take myself too seriously. If nothing else NaNoWriMo is helping me get in the habit of daily writing, and that's a good thing. I just don't want to be wasting my time. Am I?

I have a missing woman and two bodies. And numerous suspects. I think my cast of characters is too large. I have no idea who kidnapped GG, or who killed Cousin PeeWee and Aunt Lou. For all I know GG is still alive.

I've got my two favorite how-to books for help and encouragement: And inspiration.

Don't Murder Your Mystery by Chris Roerden and Writing and Selling Your Mystery Novel by Hallie Ephron

I'm writing to see what happens. Yeah, right.

Repeat after me: Just get it down on paper, just get it down on paper, just get it down on paper. . . and then we'll see what to do with it. ~Maxwell Perkins, sorta