So as NaNoWriMo approaches, I start with two ideas; one main plot and one subplot, but both were equally important. Then came two more ideas and I was torn as to which one I would devote 30 days to exploring and then comes a fifth idea in the wee hours of the morning and I decide that I'm going to spent the month of November exploring all five; each as a short story averaging 10,000 words each. All five have one thing in common: they're all romance stories dealing with internet dating.

It's been years since I've even attempted a romance piece. I've written several fiction pieces that had romance in them but not a truly romance only piece. Being as old as I am and still single, I've grown rather cynical as far as romance is concerned. I only know one married couple who are truly happy and we celebrated their birthdays with them just last night. (Happy Birthday )

Being the cynic that I am, I'm surprised that these particular stories have taken hold of my imagination though in at least two of the stories, the main character is also very cynical towards love and romance. Come to think of it, my main character in last years NaNo and even Mattie, from my screenplay, is also cynical. Guess that's been a prevailent theme in my fiction, and my life for that matter.

The good news, though, is that just yesterday morning during my journaling I had several eureka moments so now I'm very optimistic; for both my characters and myself. I'll keep you updated.  

Right now, I'm housesitting again for a lady that I just met this morning. I'm in the beautiful North Georgia Mountain town of Blairsville, Georgia (about two hours north of my home). I'm responsible for two inside dogs; one in heat and the other nursing three puppies, and four outside dogs (plus one stray that trying to get to the one in heat). Big screen tv, cable, fireplace (I've already got the fire burning since it got down to 30 degrees last night and there's still a chill in the air), well stocked cabinets, the georgous autumn leaves, the smell of wood burning, my computer with internet access and I'm in heaven. Too bad it's not November, I could easily kick out 30k words on my NaNo project if I could work on it this week. Oh well. As it stands, I plan to work on last years NaNo project and try to break through the writer's block on my screenplay.

I just can't seem to get past the stereo typed characters I have in the three children: angry ten-aged boy seeking revenge for his parents death, the over-protective/possessive ten year old girl and the four year old boy who hasn't spoken since his parents deaths. Any suggesstions?