Its NaNoWriMo Time!!!

Only 3 days till November first: The first day of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)!
I am soo excited! For those of you who don't know, NaNoWriMo, is a month were everyday we have (no GET) to write a 1676 words in order to reach a 50k word novel by the end of the month. Its soo much fun!


This time I've gone further and created a book that combines my love of Improv with my love of novel writing!


I've been improvising on stage weekly since 2010. Even when I was just learning the craft, I could see how improv could impact my writing. Just like being on stage is terrifying (with no script, mind you), so is facing the blank page while writing.
Every week that I improvise, I face this fear. Stage time has built courage in me that I then can transfer to the written page. It's also given me a toolkit for creating characters and generating future plot points.
I’ve boiled down the essentials of improvising a one-act play, beginning with facing your fear and moving on to the nuts and bolts of writing a good novel.
I took those essentials and put them into a fun new book called Improv Your Novel in 30 Days. In my book I share improv techniques to create a riveting plot and interesting characters. But the best part of the book is the day by day exercises that kick start your creativity before you start writing.
I hope that these techniques and tips will help you finally finish your book—all over the next 30 days. I've even turned the book into a video series, one video per day of November!
The videos and book will teach you:

• Day One: How to brain storming the big life changing event that kicks your character's life into gear.
• Day Two: How to pull those riveting characters out of your character center/warehouse.
• Day Three: How to create a rich world by uncovering the laws of your novel's world.
• Day Four: How to creating the places your characters live by populating them with the things that matter to them.
• Day Five: How to listen to your characters to find the themes and games to create rich subplots.
• And more!

Get it now at improvisednovel.net

The Perfect Marriage

Two 20 something women sit in a Starbucks.
Jane: I can't wait to find the perfect man and get married and live happily ever after.
Gene: Me too. He will have green eyes and be very rich.
Jane: Mine will have blue eyes and will be very rich.
Gene: Yes and we will have 2 children. One boy named Addison, and one girl named Madison.
Jane: Oh nice, mine will be two girls named Avery and Ava. We are going to have a huge movie room and a huge walk in closet so I can put all my D&G and Bebe cloths.
Gene: My husband is going to go work in a huge office and have important meetings all day. I'll be able to stay home.
Jane: Mine will be an important government official and will have to travel a lot to meet world leaders. I also get to stay home and do important volunteer work.
Gene: Yes and we will live in a very nice gated community with a large pool in the back yard and a very very hot live in full time pool boy named Carlos.
Jane: Oh my live in full time pool boy is named Jose and he has long long black hair that he lets flow over his huge shoulders as he cleans and scrubs the pool all day.
Gene: Ohhh, Carlos has short hair, but he shaves symbols into it like a piece sign to match the large on one his chest.
Jane: Jose doesn't have any tattoos except one around his large shoulder, because it enhances it so so nicely.
Gene: Carlos will come in and have coffee with me and give me a massage because taking care of the kids makes my neck stiff.
Jane: Jose makes me coffee and then gives me a foot massage because my 5 inch heels make my toes cramp up.
Gene: Hmm. I just can't wait to get married.
Jane: Me too!

 

The Fear of Death

A middle class man and woman sit in a bar.

Woman: What do you think about death?

Man: It sux. What do think about it?

Woman: It means we have to enjoy every minute because this life won't last forever. It means that we need to not waste time because it doesn't last forever.

Man: It means everything you accomplished means nothing.

Woman: Which means that you should only do things because you want to do them, not because you are trying to impress someone else who won't even notice now or after you are long dead.

Man: Death is the end of all your hopes, dreams and wants.

Woman: Why not make your hopes and dreams and wants come true today? Why not live every moment and enjoy it.

Man: Death means that we can’t fix our mistakes.

Woman: Why not stop worrying about making mistakes and just savor each moment as a gift? Instead of being worried about the future, just thank God for the present moment.

 

Witness Protection For Those Ruined by Internet Rage

FBI Office of Witness Protection

Norma rushes into the office and finds a random FBI Agent and sits down in front of him.

Norma: Hello, I need to be put under Witness Protection

FBI Agent: Um, well that’s not normally how this is done. Why?

Norma: I posted something on twitter that started a movement called I hate Norma.

FBI Agent: What did you post?

Norma: I basically said that Ebola is Gods punishment on Africa for not reforming.

FBI Agent: Wow that’s terrible. You should be hated.

Norma: I know, it was late at night and I was drunk.

FBI Agent: No, gosh, that’s just terrible.

Norma: Fine. But can you put me under witness protection? I need a new identity.

FBI Agent: No, We can’t put you under witness Protection.

Norma: I can’t get a job.

FBI Agent: That’s not a reason to go under our program.

Norma: My life is over.

FBI Agent: We still can’t help you. This isn’t a job for us.

Norma: I have no idea what else to do.

FBI Agent: How about try not saying stupid things on twitter.

Norma: My life is ruined.

FBI Agent: For a good reason. You should probably leave now.

Norma: There is no hope for me then.

FBI Agent (types on his computer): Actually before you go, let me get a selfie with you and post it with the fact you came here. It’s going to get me so many new followers.

Family Dinner

Middle class family house.

Mom (text message to daughter): come downstairs for dinner.

Daughter (text message to mother):  Fine.

Daughter walks down stairs with iphone headphones on. They both sit at the table. Father sits down. All three have iphone head phones on and are looking intently at their screens.

Mom (text message to father): how was your day?

Father (text message to mother): stupid long and boring.

Father (text message to Daughter):  How was your day?  Did you learn something new?

Daughter (text message to father):  Fine. I did some algebra quiz and got the highest grade.

Father (text message to Daughter):  <3

Daughter (text message to mother):  dinner is awesome.

Mom (text message to daughter): tnx

Daughter (text message to mother):  no, tnx u mom.

Father (group msm  to mom and Daughter):  Great spending time with you guys. L8r.

They all get up and head off in their own directions.

 

 

Make the Most of your Misfortunes

Two 36 year old middle class women sitting in a local tea shop. They went to college together 16 years ago.

Lacy: I got fired this morning.

Sarah: Oh, I am so sorry.

Lacy: Yeah, Its really terrible, but a few friends who have sent my resume to their HR departments.

Sarah: Well that’s hopeful.

Lacy: Yeah, I should have a new job in a few weeks. Everyone wants my skills now a days.

Sarah: Well send me your resume and I’ll send it to my HR department too, I am not sure what kind of openings we have, but I’ll put in a good word

Lacy: That’s awesome. It’s cool having a college buddy like you.

Sarah: Well make sure that you take time to make use of this situation.

Lacy: What are you talking about? Like going to the beach or taking a cruise?

Sarah: No I mean like thinking about what you learned about life and your self from being fired.

Lacy: Huh? My employer sucks? That’s what I learned.

Sarah: No I mean like what did you learn about business or the bigger picture of the economy that were at play in your situation.

Lacy: what?

Sarah: Yeah, every misfortune has lessons to teach us.

Lacy: You are crazy.

Sarah: I was abandoned by parents when I was 8. I mined that misfortune for all it was worth.

Lacy: Like what?

Sarah: Like that I learned how to be a good parent to my own kids for one. I learned what love means and what it doesn’t mean. I learned to forgive others. I learned to survive on my own. I learned that no matter what happens to me in the future it can’t be as bad as what I’ve already gone through. Which means I have no fear and I take risks that pay of big a lot of times. That’s lead to great success in my career.

Lacy: So that’s your secret? You’re the CEO of one of the state’s most successful companies. And the reason why is because you were abandoned at 8?

Sarah: Well we all have our own misfortunes. You have to mine whatever your own misfortunes are.

Lacy: I’ll never be a CEO because my life has been pretty sweet so far.

Sarah: It’s all a matter of perspective. You can mine all your experiences for gold.

Lacy: Nah, my life can’t teach me anything. I’ll never be successful like you/

Sarah: I guess not.

 

Conversation GPS

Conversation GPS or CGPS is a system that whispers into your ear what to say next to achieve your goal in any conversation.

Outside the restaurant for Bobbie’s first date with a girl he met on OkCupid.

Bobbie: OK CGPS.

CGPS: Yes Bobbie. Please enter your conversation Destination.

Bobbie: I want to get this girl into my bed to have sex with me..

CGPS: Ok, Bobbie, let me make sure I have your destination correct: You want to seduce this woman. What is her name?

Bobbie: Sara James.

CGPS: I am looking up her entire social network information, one moment, calculating. I am now looking up her phone records and internet usage and cookies. Ok now I am checking her GPA and transcripts. Ok Bobbie. I have completely mapped out your route. Please enter the restaurant.

Bobbie enters the Restaurant, Olive Garden. He sees a slightly chubby woman who slightly resembles the woman from OK Cupid.

CGPS: Identity confirmed: Sara James. Please approach.

He approaches her.

CGPS: Say, Hi I am Bobbie, you must be Sara.

Bobbie: Hi, I am Bobbie. You must be sara.

Sara: Nice to meet you.

They shake.

CGPS: Say, You looks so much younger than your profile pic.

Bobbie: repeats CGPS.

Sara blushes.

Sara: You are so nice.

They follow a waiter to their table.

CGPS: Bobbie, pull out her chair.

He pulls out her chair and she sits smiling ear to ear shyly.

CGPS: Say, Tell me about your idea of happiness.

Bobbie repeats.

Sara: Being loved by someone for all of eternity.

Bobbie laughs.

Bobbie: Ha ha ha.

Sara turns bright red and scowls.

CGPS: Bobbie! Don’t Laugh! Say, I am so sorry, I just am in shock that you have the same idea of happiness that I have.

Bobbie repeats.

Sara smiles.

Sara: Really?

CGPS: Say, Yes, its all I’ve ever wanted.

Bobbie repeats.

Sara: That’s amazing. No men ever say things like that.

CGPS: Say, I care too much. I am such an emotionally available man. Most women just don’t want that much attention and affections.

Bobbie repeats.

Sara: Wow. Gosh, I don’t even know what to say.

The waiter takes their order and leaves.

CGPS: Tell me about an interesting childhood memory.

Bobbie repeats.

Sara: When I was 11 I got stranded in a row boat in a lake behind my house. I was stuck out there for hours. My paddles fell in and I couldn’t get back to shore.

Bobbie Laughs loudly.

Bobbie: Ha ha ha! Why didn’t you just swim to shore, are you a looser?

Sara looks shocked and hurt.

Sara: I was 11! I was scared.

CGPS: Bobbie!! Say, I am so sorry Sara. Then take her hand. I missed that you were 11. I feel terrible about laughing. You must have been terrified.

Bobbie repeats and takes her hand.

Sara smiles shily.

They eat. And make small talk about movies.

Bobbie: what do you say we go back to my place?

Sara looks shocked again.

Sara: I don’t think that’s a good idea.

CGPS: Bobbie! Say, I wanted to surprise you, but I wanted to show you my collection of love letters my father wrote to my mother while he was stationed over seas. I haven’t shared them with anyone else but you seem like such a kindred spirit.

Bobbie repeats.

Sara: Wow. That’s so romantic! I would be so honored to see them.

Bobbie and her go back to his apartment.

Sara: I was wondering if you’d ever put out.

Bobbie: What???

Sara: My CGPS-2000 kept telling me to act hard to get.  I finally  turned it off.

CGPS: What??? Blasphemy! She was using a newer version of me! She was too good.  It even told her to blush!

Bobbie: I feel used. Let me turn off my CGPS too. It’s so annoying.