I was in Lavergne (or LaVergne or La Vergne, depending on which governmental authority you ask) today for my nephew’s birthday.

On the drive home, I had all but decided to drop out of NaNoWriMo. I am behind schedule (I have fewer than 6,000 words, and I’m supposed to have 10,000 by midnight tonight). But much more to the point, I don’t have a clear idea of my story arc. Last year, even though I didn’t have everything plotted out ahead of time, I had a general idea of where I was going and how to get there. This year, I don’t. And I’m afraid that if I just keep writing to keep up with word count, I’ll keep introducing new little plot twists and red herrings and won’t ever get back to a manageable plot.

I called and vented a bit about it today to my brother. I expected him to talk me into staying in but he said I should just make a decision, either way, and stick to it without regrets.

Since that time, I’ve noodled around a little bit, and written a few more hundred words. I introduced something else that my main character has committed himself to doing, and I’m not sure whether it was an ingenious solution to writer’s block or a distraction from moving the rest of story forward.

It’s now 9 p.m., and it’s been a long weekend. I didn’t have much time to relax or write this weekend, and I just want to stretch out on the couch instead of wracking my brain.

I don’t think I’m officially out at this point — I will give it another day or two and see if I can gain some ground tomorrow night.