I am a...no wait, THE tortoise

Finished my NaNoWriMo this morning at 12:00 AM.

Oddly enough, this year's story became a short prequel to the real plot that I had originally planned to write about. A little less than halfway in, I realized that the idea was too large to fit into on month's worth of 30,000 words (yeah, not a full 50,000---you think I'm insane or somethin'?).

And so a started a Novella.
And then I finished a Novella.
And then I rejoiced.

I must say, I didn't expect to actually accomplish what I'd set out to do. But being encouraged by friends and the YWP's pep talks helps. One of the most inspiring pep talks that I read mentioned something about writing for the people who doubt you, rather than the people who believe in themselves. As a self-proclaimed skeptic, I grasp this concept with open arms. I wrote to prove something. Not to the people who knew already that I had it in me. Instead, I wrote to prove something to MYSELF. My doubtful, pessimistic self.

So there. Take that, self! 

And now, dear reader, is the part of the post when I encourage you. If you're trying to accomplish something, I tell you now: Do it. But do it to show all those doubting people who's boss here!

And rest assured, when you've finally earned the right to grasp your trophy, it feels good.
Really really good.

Thanks to my lovely characters---some of which have yet to appear---for their patience and faithful bickering that kept the story on the road. And to my fellow NaNo-ers: without them, it would have been impossible to write that 30,642.

Finally, I give to you all, the last words of the (more than rough) rough draft.

"'And now it begins.' Whispered Robert Augustus Thorpp, unsure of the future, and accelerating towards it at full speed."

THE END

You have no idea how badly I've wanted to write those two concluding words.