A Novel for a Novel's Sake / 258 words / 50,000 words

So much has changed in my life that I want to tell you about. But I can’t begin. I’ll start with this.

I met Diana Gabaldon, a local world-famous author. She told me how I could get a novel published, but less practically, she told me I had the ability to do it.

Diana wrote her first novel as an experiment, just a novel for a novel’s sake, and it became famous. She barely tried. Her novel is something terrible about 18th century Scotland and a time-traveling WWII era British Nurse. Oh and it’s a romance. Diana has a devoted fanbase and movie deal in the works.

Today I ran into my friend Meghan, who was handing out copies of her feminist zine and it made me question, what am I doing with myself? I was supposed to be doing this a year ago. Being all done with a novel for a novel’s sake. Publishing zines all over the place.

Then I read about National Novel Writer’s Month, which is November. Basically, it’s a challenge to write a novel in 30 days REGARDLESS of terrible quality. Just writing for a novel’s sake.

I only learned about this today. I have 13 days to write a 50,000 word masterfuck. And so I’m going to do it.

It could kill me, no? It’s a very real possibility I could fail and have nothing. But I’d rather try than complain.

I might start publishing the results online, as I go along. But I’m going to do it.

For more info:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/whatisnano

Who's Laughing Now?

The Enemy Review

The Enemy is a fresh UK punk act that, weren’t gonna take the 9-5 anymore and so they became rock stars. According to one song, they “Had Enough.” But that’s not all. They want you to escape, too.

Their debut album We’ll Live and Die in These Towns can be summed up in their anthem, “This Song.” Lead vocalist Tom Clarke sings, “This song is about you / about changes in your life, your mind, changes in the times,” and the rest of the album has a similar vibe. It’s about anyone who feels trapped by their dead-end job, by their small town life and the self-destruction that commonly comes with age, such as teenage pregnancy and drug addiction.

But The Enemy escaped from their small town and they encourage you to also pursue dreams—violently, if necessary. Songs like “Aggro” (a word that means aggressive behavior) and “You’re Not Alone” (about job loss in UK factories) are meant to get you to rise up and fight The Man. Other tunes such as “Technodaneaphobic” and the title track are more sympathetic to those that can’t resist a normal, depressing life. Someone has to flip burgers; we can’t all be rockstars.

Perhaps The Enemy’s best song is a bonus track cover of Bowie’s “Five Years,” a tune that reflects on what you’d do knowing the world would end in half a decade. It’s pretty obvious what Tom Clarke would do; listen to his favorite songs, tell the girl of his dreams he loves her and fall back on all the people he never knew he needed, including you.

But the message is effective by itself and will get you up in the morning, even if you decide not to rebel. You can still appreciate the amped-up power chords and catchy lyrics, basically joining The Enemy in their fun and living a quiet life quite loudly.

Why America is Evil

Oh look, America makes raids on Syria and Pakistan and then refuses to say a damn thing. That isn't evil, this isn't nationialism, this isn't an ACT OF WAR.

This couldn't possibly lead to a world war if China, Russia and Venezuela decide to get involved. Syria and Pakistan are NOT like Iraq; they have allies and they have weapons and they have armies.

And the people are just as bad as their stupid government. Why aren't there any riots or protests about this shit? Why isn't anyone doing anything?

I am going to do something. I am going to a protest in Phoenix on the 22nd. I am raising awareness and I am getting pissed.

In case you didn't know, my family originates from Syria. Many of my distant relatives could be killed by these acts of war. Many of them may have died already if they were living near Iraq or Afghanistan for some reason. This is a terrible tragedy and it will probably only get worse. I fear for my country, my family and the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz_0mMvqcVw