Words About Words
So here's the thing. In Episode 14 of fab|2.0 (which I just did a listen-through on today), wendiigo mentioned an upcoming event called A Round of Words in 80 Days. Clever name, right? It was created by someone who likes the concept of National Novel Writing Month but objects to the idea that you have to pretty much abandon your life in November. While they do make that joke at NaNoWriMo, it's actually not true. You simply have to make time for it, like any endeavor you hope to succeed in... but I digress. The goal of ROW 80 is to come up with a tangible goal and achieve it in an 80-day round of writing. It can be on any draft of anything, work-in-progress or freshly hatched in the brain cavity.
When wendiigo first brought up the idea on my podcast, he presented it in the most high-falutin' way he could, which turned me right off -- but out of fairness, I decided to check it out for myself. If you happen to listen to the NaNoWriMo wrap-up episode, ignore what wendiigo says on the subject. Either he interpreted the concept differently than I did, or I just haven't found the sections that state what he did. The ROW80 founder doesn't care for the "write crap" philosophy that NaNoWriMo embraces, and that might be where wendiigo got the "you have to write quality words" idea.
Anyway, my point here is that I've decided to try it out. Round 1 starts January 3, and goes for 80 days. I haven't decided what my goal will be just yet, but I should probably think about coming up with a story idea so that I can write it.
I'm very glad there isn't a "quality words" requirement, too. As I said on the podcast, I don't have "quality first draft" in me. At all. I'm not entirely sure I'd be able to have a quality finished product in me. I've actually never attempted to edit any of my stuff, either. I keep wanting to, but it seems like an awful lot of work for something I'll never do anything with. That's why having the intention of podcasting Best Enemies Forever may end up motivating me to edit. Who knows?
I've started a ROW80 blog, but it's entirely likely that most of the ROW80 "coverage" will end up here anyway -- no need to follow a new blog. I'll prolly even duck behind the (**NANO**) filter when I repost those entries. Okay, full disclosure: The only reason I didn't link to THIS journal when I signed up is that I don't want to send strangers here on purpose. If they stumble across this thing, so be it; they'll never stick around, and I don't know who they are anyway. If I'm linking a profile here, I'm telling them I want them to see this... and I really don't. Plus, my tendency to hide my fully writing-related posts wouldn't be fair to anyone over there who isn't on a friend list here. It's just better for all involved, I think.
Speaking of the podcast, although I was vague last night, I've slept on it and have decided to hold to my decision. As of Episode 23, flick-a-brac will end. I've titled the episode "One and Done" -- references to both the 1st anniversary of fab|2.0 and the fact that it's the end. I'm clever with words that way, you know. I had been contemplating it for a long time. When 2.0 started in April, I wasn't feeling it. It hasn't gotten much better. I still love the talking to people part of it, and I'd like to figure out a way to continue that aspect in some future endeavor. I also want to continue to use the flick-a-brac feed for whatever might be coming up. Or not. As always, not all decisions have been finalized... just the end is. And to keep a promise to wendiigo, February and March will round out the parts of the Saw franchise that have been released to DVD. Which means I need to grow a pair so I can sit down to watch 'em in relatively rapid succession. Such a wimp, I am.
I had a faboo weekend, of course. Munchkin and I watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey, then started Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The latter we had to shut off after about an hour, because SquidLord's grand return at Operation BSU hath commenced as of December 10. Munchkin, of course, has demanded that BSU is to be part of our regular Friday routine. Oh, just listen to me object.
Saturday I watched the rest of Half Blood Prince and did the podcast, plus played a bit of Sims 3. Whatever video card conflicts I was having seem to be resolved for now -- except I had to disable the GOOD card rather than the on-board card to resolve them. Ah, well. Eventually I hope to try it again, but for now it works. I can play Sims 3 and CoH without issues, so no complaining. With Sims 3, I've been experimenting with the features included in the new Late Night expansion. Both sims who are living in Bridgeport are 2-star celebrities already. They're both in the film career track. I let them get married, and now they both have the wish of having their first child. It will be done.
(And I only remember their last name... not his first. She's Gwen Holden-Wozny, and he's (someone) Wozny. I remember having her initiate the private wedding, because I wanted them to have her last name, but the game gave them his instead. Meh. I like Holden better than Wozny. These were the same two roommates I had started to play once before but got bored with them and deleted the game. I'm enjoying this version of them much more, because there is more to explore.)
Overall, I'm enjoying Late Night. I don't like that you can't bypass the subway system. Frankly, it would be less time for them to just take a taxi to their destination than to take the taxi to the subway station -- Going into and coming out of the subway takes FOREVER. Ah, well.
Sunday was my TV and movie day. Netflix is my friend. I watched Confessions of a Shopaholic as well as a ton of Wizards of Waverly Place. Well, maybe not a ton... but enough. I also put off going to the store until 3:00 in the afternoon. I don't ever do that, for the simple reason that I hate going to the store when it's that packed, and it's always packed on Sundays from 11:00 onward.
Tonight I need to go back to the store to see if I can find a White Elephant gift for tomorrow's office luncheon. Then I need to bake cookies. While watching TV, if the repeats are ones I want to watch.
Did I mention I lead a fascinating life? If I did, I was being sarcastic. Talk to you tomorrow, Dear Journal.