Dear Alex, Elena, Carrie, Misty, Julia, and the rest of the “30 Days” Cast.
I’ve just spent the last few days reviewing the Blogvels I wrote for the last couple NaNoWriMo’s. The first one, 30 Days: The Infinity Event, is pretty poor. Terrible characterization, no story structure, random events with no purpose. It was completely written on the fly, with no direction, and it shows. A wholly unbelievable mess.
Last year’s entry, 30 Days: The Singularity Matrix, was far better. Perhaps having 11 months to think about it helped a lot. There’s a distinct story arc, much better characterization, yet the same zany atmosphere as the first. A huge improvement, with characters you can actually care about. I hadn’t re-read it since last year, so I was surprised how well it worked, given that it too was written on the fly.
I’ve been planning the exciting conclusion of 30 Days since the last one ended. I have plans for all of you. It involves a tremendously exciting struggle to save the planet from annihilation. You will all be tested to your limits, beyond anything I’ve put you through before. It’s the climactic end to a three-year journey, with the entire world, nay, perhaps the structure of the Universe, at stake.
However.
I’ve decided that for NaNoWriMo 2009 I will be going in a different direction. I want to let you know you’ve all meant a lot to me over the last couple years.
My circumstances have changed drastically. This year, NaNoWriMo counts. I need to focus on writing that will lead somewhere. There’s nothing wrong with my plans for you, but I’ve decided to use NaNoWriMo to work on a new story with new characters and a new setting. I don’t want you to think this is a better story. I haven’t even written it yet, so I don’t know. I’m not saying Prudencia, Thomas, and Beatrice are any more deserving of my attention than you. You’ve been great. I love your stories. But it’s been said, “kill your darlings” and you certainly are mine.
I do want to say a few things. First, this is not necessarily the end of 30 Days. I do want to continue the Blogvel at some point. I want you all to achieve the closure you so desperately need. Second, I want to thank you for being part of my life for so long. I will never forget you.
Third, there’s some things I want to say to each of you.
Alex. You’ve come so far. You’ve transformed from a timid computer nerd to Captain of a Pirate Ship and now owner of a social networking startup. You’ve proven you were worthy of being Main Character. But you still have more to learn, more ways to grow. You have a wife and a daughter, challenges you’ve never faced.
Ellie. You’ve been through so much, and never had a moment’s peace. You are one of my all-time favorite characters, you’re so full of life and energy, ever fearless and strong, always full of surprises, yet I always felt something was missing from your life, something you tried to achieve with Alex but couldn’t. Someday you know you will have to go home. You’ll have to close the loop with your own family before you can consider having one of your own.
Carrie. You are so ready for redemption it’s not funny. Your blind ambition has destroyed you, now you have had a chance to become something you could respect. You have the opportunity to save the world. Some day you will forgive yourself for what happened and move on. I don’t know if you can do it. I hope so.
Misty. It’s amazing how you kept your wits in the midst of chaos. Keeping a strange family like yours together is tough. Dealing with Alex and Julia is tough, but you’re the one person who could probably pull it off. You’ve emerged so much stronger after this experience, ready to take charge of your life.
Julia. We hardly got to know you. You have so much fire and energy, and you’re a great cook. Your life is just starting and already you’ve lived a lifetime. Someday you’ll trust Alex and Misty with you innermost struggles, and become a real asset to the world.
So I wish you guys the best, and I feel like we’ll see each other again. I just wanted to let you know and I hope you understand.
Posts
Wow, this sucks. Damn. I was really looking forward to this year.
ReplyDeleteHere’s the thing. You can always pick us up, whenever you need some characters. We’ll always be here for you. Doing a non-NaNoWriMo blogvel sounds great. You could really plan it, promote it, and not have all the interference of NaNoWriMo to deal with. I think it would be a great side promotion when you get your book deal. Heck, make it a Twitvel.
We know you need to do this. We're disappointed, but we'll get over it.
Good luck, we'll be pulling for you!
Thanks for letting us know. It was great working with you. I know things are tough for you but I’m here for you. If there’s anything you need, let us know. I know what it's like to make sacrifices to better oneself. I know you can do it. I needed a break anyways. :)
ReplyDeleteWe'll keep an eye out for you. Good luck!
What a bunch of crap. You know, Iapetus, this is really getting old. When the hell are you going to finish something that you’ve started? As soon as stuff gets tough, you bail. You’re worse than Alex. At least he finally got his shit together. You? You don’t deserve to be a writer. You’re a fraud. You just want all the happy fun parts of writing without any of the serious work. This could have been the greatest NaNoWriMo of your life and you’re going to let it be the worst. Shiny new idea. Whatever. I know the truth. You just don’t have any ideas, do you? You have no fucking clue what to do with us. Grow up already. Don’t ever fucking use us as characters again unless you’re willing to go all the way. I’m outta here.
ReplyDeleteWait, I’m not done. This is total bullshit. Remember Dawn? What the hell happened to her? So her story is “complicated.” So the fuck what? What about Wild Mary? When will she get her time? Oh, hasn’t he told you about Mary? Used to be posted up on his blog. Bunch of other characters have fallen by the wayside. Alexandra. Hannipol. Myralon. William. Henry. Yes, I know all about them. Piles of failed projects. Now, let’s add Carrie Park to that list. Good job.
ReplyDeleteFuck you.
Well, that was a bit schizophrenic.
ReplyDeleteTo address what Carrie said so eloquently, I guess I do feel like a bit of a failure so far.
However, I am learning more and more all the time.
It's tough to tell the difference between hard work and beating a dead horse sometimes.
I'm trying a new method of story development. Maybe it will fail too, and I'll have another 3-6 months down the drain with nothing to show for it. But I'm trying the best I know how.
I am personally disappointed to not continue 30 Days this year, but I need to do what I feel is best for me at this time.