Woo!

50,000!

NaNoWriMo Novel: Extract

...

Millie Battle fastened the last of the mismatched oversized buttons on her patchwork swing overcoat, and turned her face into the rain as the sound of a car motor breathing its exhaust fumes into the cool night air approached from somewhere in the dark.

The grey tarmac sparkled black under the spitter and spatter of the autumnal downpour; high gentle sprays of water casting thick over the pavements and pedestrians at every approach, and every passing, of vehicles on the road. Darkened shop window displays and worn painted bricks lined both sides of the street, humming out into the twilight with an odd sense of abandonment. This was the high-street after closing hours, with lofty metal streetlamps hanging their heavy orange haze, and casting the run of the street in a yawning glow.

Some of those passing would be on their way into town, Millie mused, back to the drone and hub where they would be reunited with loving homes and families; back to the burl and comfort of a thick carpet and a wallpapered living room, where greetings came in the form of a child's happy laughter, or the warm embrace of a lover's hug.

...

In the News

Four days in, and so far so good! As predicted, there has been an initial surge of activity as ideas and inspiration abound. I really want to get back to working on my wordcount just now, so this is just a quick update to share some news.

As part of this year's NaNoWriMo, my co-ML (Stu) and myself arranged for a Kicking Off Party to celebrate the start of this year's challenge. In hindsight, Hallowe'en perhaps was not the best choice of days to host it, but the party was held on Sunday 31st October a mere few hours before the frantic scratch and scribble of writing began. The location we chose was a local Caffe Nero shop, with staff who were both enthusiastic and accomodating, and who had an ideal space for us to use in a tucked away corner upstairs. And what a brilliant location it turned out to be. And the turnout was amazing - guests even included a journalist and photographer from the Essex Chronicle newspaper! And today, the article came out.

This screenshot was taken of the online story, but it's been printed in today's paper, too! We all had a fabulous time, and I'd just like to thank Caffe Nero for letting us use their premises for a few hours!

And We're Off!

"the time invites you; go"

- Hamlet, William Shakespeare

Good Luck!