I was remiss in reporting the events of my fifth The Other 11 Months Write-In last Sunday but for a brief time, it almost looked like there would be nothing to report. I arrived a few minutes early and no one else was there, which was a first. The people who had the room booked till 11 seemed contact to stay until they were kicked out, but if no one else was showing I didn’t want to be that person.
A few minutes after 11 we got another arrival and she did not hesitate to ask the others to get going. We moved in and two more joined in for a very intimate group. There was some discussion to start and it went on longer than usual, then we got to work and I continued to read and mull on Road Closed.
In the intervening week I came up with some ideas and when I got to Waves I read a few chapters then went over my notes and added Chapter 2b. I haven’t found a nice way to renumber chapters in Ulysses yet. This chapter expands on Christian’s early days at the college and serves as the catalyst for the spooky shenanigans that follow when he has a near-miss driving home drunk from a house party.
I didn’t finish the new chapter but I wrote over 2,700 words, my best production in months. More importantly, I feel I’ve gotten past a hurdle and both my writing in general and Road Closed specifically are on track, if only for the moment–but hopefully for longer.
Oh, and attendance was up to six, which to be frank is ideal as it gives everyone space at the table without it getting crowded and cramped.
Overall, my most productive outing by far and one that gives me strong encouragement to continue. Eight thumbs up.
