A Novel Idea (The Shadow Path, a working title)

Day 1

2004-11-02T01:14:00.000Z

One day almost over and a total of 1,655 words written by me. A better start than I had anticipated and if I can keep that kind of pace up there is a good chance I will make the target. Finding enough time to write is not going to be easy. I suspect that I won't be getting a great deal of sleep this month ~laughs~ I just hope that I can keep the story going. This is a big leap from my usual flash fiction and short stories.

It is wonderful to see how many fellow bloggers are contributing to the word count with some great writing. Check out Nanoblogmo for links to all those who have registered their NaNoWriMo efforts.

Prologue

2004-11-01T08:10:00.000Z

Unseen from below, the man stood a little back from the window, watching. Around 5' 10" tall, a little over weight and with light brown hair that was thinning at the front; he looked no different than a thousand other successful business men. No one would describe him as handsome, although his firm mouth and sharp, intelligent grey eyes would make many take a second look. Although laughter lines creased the flesh around his mouth and eyes, his face was closed and distant as he focused all of his attention on the distant figure of a woman in the garden below.

Perfectly still, his hands clasped lightly behind his back, he watched as the late summer afternoon retreated into the shadow of early evening. He stayed motionless, even when the woman rose and began walking back towards the house, pausing momentarily to glance up at the window. He was confidant that he could not be seen. It was not until the woman once again appeared in the garden, this time carrying a small suitcase and walking purposefully towards the gate that he stepped closer to the window. He knew she would not look back. He continued to watch until she had disappeared from view. Briefly, pride and pain might have been detected beneath his impassive expression by an observant onlooker.

She was gone. Aroused at last from his long vigil, he moved stiffly to touch the bell pull before sitting down in a large, comfortable armchair placed close to the fireplace. The room felt a little chilly and briefly he thought about lighting the fire then forgot about it as his thoughts returned to their memories of the woman.

A few moments later a girl silently entered the room and glancing first at the brooding man, quickly drew the heavy velvet curtains across the window before placing the rosewood box she carried on a small table close to his chair and switching on the reading lamp. Her bare feet made no sound on the thick carpet as she moved to the drinks cabinet and poured a large brandy into the single crystal glass that stood next to the bottle. Carrying it carefully, with both hands as though it were some precious burdon, she finally approached the man and kneeling at his feet, offered him the glass.

"Thank you Molly. Go home, now. You are dismissed."

The girl bowed her head then left as silently as she had arrived.

Alone once more he sipped the brandy, grateful for the smooth fire that eased the granite of his self control. Slowly, he relaxed a little, closing his eyes for a moment and letting out an almost inaudible sigh. How quiet the house was. Dark and closed in on its own thoughts as was he. The man opened his eyes and allowed his attention to focus on the side table for a moment, then rose and refilled his glass, set it down on the table and returned to his seat.

The box was beautiful. Its smooth surface glowed warmly in the lamp light. Reliant on its own nature for its loveliness rather than artifact. Its only decoration, the small carved rose on a slim leather thong used to open it and the initials carved in the centre of the lid. A tiny ‘j’ clinging to a large, simply formed ‘S’.

Lifting the box onto his knee, the man touched the letters with his forefinger. A brief caress before lifting the lid and removing the first of the exercise books that lay within.

Count down

2004-10-31T23:04:00.000Z

Less than two hours to go. I really could do with an early night but I need to put something down on 'paper' as soon as November 1 begins. Like crossing the start line so that I cannot turn back or pull out at the last minute. I finally have an outline of sorts to work from and my two main characters are chomping at the bit.

I hope that I get some visitors, I could do with a cheering section ~laughs~ comments too are more than welcome. All that I ask is that you save any heavy criticism until its all over. Yes, I will be posting excerpts. I would not be so cruel as to present readers with the whole thing. Which reminds me to add a warning. My novel (!) does deal with adult subject matter and although I don't plan to write graphically, there may well be a flavour of erotica.

Any one want to wish me luck?

Less than 24 hours to go...

2004-10-31T09:28:00.000Z

How small the time between having a good idea and having to do something about it. When I saw the article about NaNoWriMo on Blogger the appeal was instant. This was something I just had to do. On the positive side, being part of a community of people all of whom want to write a novel is wonderful. The possibility of actually meeting some of the other local participants exciting. The idea that I might actually complete the challenge - still unbelievable - but I am going to do my damnedest.

On the other hand, with what? Roughly 13 hours to go until I have to 'put pen to paper', I am experiencing a distinct urge to head for the hills!

Just when you think things are going smoothly....

2004-10-30T14:34:00.000+01:00

I have changed my mind. I think. About the plot that I intend to use. I still want to write Drusa's story - it is an interesting one - at least to me. The problem is that another one of the characters who are my night time companions has decided that maybe this is her turn to tell her tale. A tale that could be described as a love story, or as a quest, or even, if genres are compulsory, erotica. The current title 'The Shadow Path' would do for both. It is the one remaining constant.

The Shadow Path. I will just have to wait and see where it leads.

NaNoWriMo Profile

2004-10-23T10:20:00.000+01:00

Profile

I can't get it to appear in the sidebar! My ability to edit templates is shit!

I have a title, now where did I put the plot?

2004-10-23T09:58:00.000+01:00

I have a working title 'The Shadow Path'. There again, maybe 'The Shadowed Path' would sound better? On the other hand perhaps I should simple call it 'The Mushroom Novel', something best kept in the dark and.....

Ok scrub that, my angst is showing. No one expects to write or is expected to write a masterpiece. Are they? Do they? I am approaching this as an exercise. A start on the demolition job that keeps my fiction writing in the short story category. Besides, writing it all down might just keep Drusa (the main character) out of my dreams and persuade her to stop whispering her tales to me in the middle of the night. For such a withdrawn personality she has an awful lot to say for herself.

Where was I? Oh yes, I am going to write a novel. 50,000 words, typed up, coherent, between the 1st and the 30th of November. On second thoughts, cross out 'coherent' and lets just concentrate on the word count.

This was supposed to be a synopsis of the plot. An exciting and intriguing paragraph that would entice readers to my blog breathless to find out what happens...

Full quote from my sig line...

2004-10-22T14:54:00.000+01:00

'Said a sheet of snow-white paper, 'Pure was I created, and pure will I remain for ever. I would rather be burnt and turn to white ashes than suffer darkness to touch me or the unclean to come near me.

The ink-bottle heard what the paperwas saying, and it laughed in its dark heart; but it never dared to approach her. And the mulicoloured pencils heard her also, and they too never came near her.

And the snow-white sheet of paper did remain pure and chaste for ever, pure and chaste - and empty.

From The Forerunner by Kahlil Gibran

Ok, so it was written with a more spiritual purpose than to prompt a writer to write or an artist to paint, but I like it and it works in this context too.

2004-10-22T13:55:00.000+01:00

As if I don't have enough to do, I can't resist the challenge of writing a novel in a month. I have a working title 'The Shadow Path' and a plot outline, maybe I will actually write this story at long last. It has been wandering around in my imagination long enough and is beginning to feel claustophobic!

The challage begins on 1st November...wish me luck!

(Check out the website for more details of National Novel Writing Month)