Today was the first day of November, which means it was the first day of National Novel Writing Month.  I met with a friend at CK Cafe in Claremont, a little hidden cafe filled with comfy chairs and tables that are just the right height.  Soon there were nine writers there, plugging away at their manuscripts–some on laptops, some with good old-fashioned pen and paper, and one woman on a 1930s typewriter.  Best of all were CK Cafe’s $2.25 Thai Teas, which are the best beverages in the world. 

All together, I kicked out 2,890 words!  In order to write 50,000 words in thirty days, you have to write about 1,600 words a day, so I’m really happy that I’m ahead of the game at the moment.  If I can get up to 5,000 words tomorrow, I’ll be 10% done.  I was also expecting that I was just going to spew out a bunch of words, just to get the story on the paper, which I would later have to go back and fix.  Not so!  I’m actually happy with most of what I wrote–at least for now–and the good thing about where I’m at in the story is that it’s going to be pretty fast-paced and action-packed from here on out.  It should be relatively easy and fun to write.

It looks like the gathering at CK Cafe are going to become regular, so I encourage any Claremont/Montclair/Rancho/Ontario/Pomona writers to come on down and soak up some of that great energy that develops when you get a lot of creative people working in one place.  And if you’re taking part in NaNoWriMo this year, be sure to comment and let us know how you’re progressing!  You can also watch my progress here on the NaNoWriMo site, or send me a buddy request so we can both do this together: http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/419938.