We’re approaching the end of week two of Camp NaNoWriMo, and I’ll be honest – I’m a little behind on my goal. Let’s just say that 50 hours of writing when you don’t really have a plan can be a lot. Most days, I try to get at least an hour of writing in, but I should be averaging about an hour and a half each day to stay on track.
But, I mentioned last week that I was optimistic about my writing, and I’m happy to report that I’m still feeling pretty good. I’ve made a few discoveries and decisions that I hope will move my story forward and make it stronger. Now, I just have to actually carry out those decisions, and make sure everything still fits together.
I didn’t share an excerpt last week, primarily because most of what I wrote was a bit of a spoiler. But this week, I want to share a sweet scene I wrote where Elle & Jon talk about friendship.
“You want to know what I think?” Jon says.
“No,” I blurt.
He raises his eyebrows.
“Fine. What?”
“It sounds like she just misses you.”
“Okay, but then how come when I call her, just to talk, she goes off on me?” I stare back up at the ceiling.
“Because it’s awkward. It’s weird to be all of a sudden miles apart, forced to talk on the phone instead of just being together, everyday.”
He has a point.
“That’s how it is with Will,” he says. “It’s like, we don’t know how to talk to each other on the phone at all. There’s too much pressure to always be saying something. But put us in a car or on the couch and we could talk for hours about everything and nothing.”
I turn my head again, and reach for his hand.
“It’s like, we never had to try before. He was always just there, in his room, whenever I needed him. And now I practically have to make an appointment to even say ‘what’s up?’”
I’ve never really heard Jon talk about Will like this before. I can hear the frustration in the logistics of their relationship, but I can also hear the emotion. And I can also see the similarities between his situation with Will and my situation with Gia. Before, we’d see each other everyday at school, always texting, always talking. Every little thing – big or small – was communicated without effort, it just happened. But now, everything is harder. It’s like I have to keep up with her life as I try to live my own. And I guess that’s it, now that I think about it. Before, we were living one life, but in two bodies. And now, we’re living separate lives, in separate bodies, in different states.
“You miss him?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he admits. A simple answer, but sufficient. “You miss her?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I answer. Simple. Sufficient.
Raise your hand if you want to read my book now ? I just have to finish it first 🙂
I’ll be back next week with another Camp NaNoWriMo Update, so be sure to check back in with my progress. Let’s hope I make up a few hours between now and then!
2 Comments
Planner Pages Using the Studio Calico Pool Party Planner Kit - Whatever Bright Things
[…] I’ve been tracking my writing and reading in little boxes, as I’m participating in Camp NaNoWriMo and a Summer Reading Challenge. I used a simple square stamp with a gray ink pad, and the […]
July 15, 2016 at 6:01 amcp
?? I can’t wait to read it!
July 20, 2016 at 5:04 pm