I did it. I don't know HOW I did it, but I did.
After a catastrophic weekend that sucked my motivation and drive completely out of me, I gave up. I quit, planning on not finishing.
Monday, however - something started happening. The story started to bug me, the characters started to pull on my coatsleeve, asking me what the heck I was doing. Then people on twitter started poking me, wanting to know why.
And I got emails. And forum posts and... wow. I didn't know so many people cared!
So I started writing.
Now, it was 5:00 PM my time, and I still had 10k to write. Then I got a challenge from the NaNoLanta ML, MattKinsi. If I won, he'd donate $10. Then more people started doing it.
Next thing I knew, I stood to raise something like $60 for OLL if I won.
I can't fail, with that kind of motivation.
So I wrote, and a wrote, and I WROTE. Dear lord, so much writing.
And something miraculous happen. After a solid day of writing, I managed to pull of 15k and win. With four minutes to spare.
How 'bout them apples.
So I dedicate this win to all of you who promised to donate if I won (and did!) If you check out the "Brought to you" page, do a search for "licking." That's the one MattKinsi did for me. ;) And no, I won't stop licking him. It helped me win.
Funny thing is? I'm only halfway through my story. So I'm nowhere near done. At least now I can get a free proof copy of it printed when I'm done. :)