Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Writer needs inspiration

I'm past the 20,000 word mark on the 50,000 word novel. Although I have more than half to go, I feel I have crossed over the top of the mountain. Still a few peaks to go, however, and I need some help.

I need some inspiration. My story is about a 10 year old girl at typical camp in New Hampshire. Mountains on one side, lake on the other. An out of control fire on the first night consumed the high ropes course so now the campers are going to have survival training and overnight camping trips in the mountains. She also likes a boy who has been hanging around with her arch enemy - a snooty rich girl who never has to wash the toilets like the other campers do.

Anyway, I want to add some realism so I'm looking for memories. If you've ever been to summer camp, please share with me your best or worst memories of it. I'm looking for specific events as well as generalities such as how you were dismissed from the campfire or how the day was structured. I'd also be interested in hearing about any odd personalities you encountered. You can leave them in the message section or email me at jennifer.news@gmail.com. In exchange, I will send you a copy of the novel when it has been edited. If it is ever published, I will also send you a signed copy.


On a totally unrelated note - there is a great website called futureme.org where you can write a note to yourself to be delivered at a later date. I've done it twice. It is wild to hear from yourself about where you hope you will be.

2 comments:

Danielle said...

I'm enjoying hearing about the process you're going through for the novel. Here's my contribution:
One of the first things that came to my mind is the following story.
I was attending camp as a 7th grader for the first time. I had never really learned to play many sports, so when we had volleyball, I was "afraid" of the ball. The person in my cabin and from my church who saw me as a threat to her popularity, yelled, "Its not going to bite you!" Wanting to be accepted, I really went after the next ball that came my way. It hit me and caused a very bloody nose! I'd say it did "bite." I laugh at this situation now, but certainly didn't at the time. :)

Unknown said...

I'm putting Sophia on the case. We'll comment again later!