The Nuclear Option

So, with the first week of our homespun version of NaNoRiMo done, I find myself in serious trouble. Between work, moving to a new house and the process of planning a move across the country, I find myself seven days in and just shy of 3,000 words.

This does not bode well.

Now, usually, this would not present too much of a problem. I'd give it the old college try, but if in the end things did not work out, I would not be too sore about it. It's just a fun little distraction, yes?

But then I realized - I have been taking part in National Novel Writing Month since 2001, when I was still an immature, surly teenager (as opposed to my current status as a surly, immature adult.) And because there have been years that I've taken part in both the U of A edition AND the Normal November edition, (for the sake of your social life, don't do this)  it means this month marks my tenth month-long novel.

I wish to succeed on this special anniversary.

Therefore, I am pulling out the most powerful weapon in the 30-day novelist's toolbox. Threat of pain. Threat of torture. Before the fiction gods and everyone on this blog, I am making a pledge - promising myself a horrifying fate if I do not hit succeed:

I, Scott Lilwall, do pledge that if I do not hit the 50,000 word mark by the end of this month's deadline, I shall go to a bookstore and purchase the ENTIRE Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I will read it, cover to cover. I will display the books on my bookshelf for a period of two years after. 

I once was assigned to read the first book in a class that focused on the adaption of books to film. I dropped the class one chapter in because I couldn't stand reading further. I consider it the literary equivalent of waterboarding.

With this promise in place, I now feel success is assured.

So, as a tip for my fellow novelists who wants a surefire way of making your goal: assign yourself a harsh sentence for failure. There is no better motivation.