Woohoo!

Despite a nine day vacation, catching some sort of death funk cold, a computer crash and Thanksgiving, I have managed to write a 50009 word novel.

(9 extra words! What was I thinking??)

I'm three for three, and I can't tell you how good it feels. Thank you to every single one of you who read this on-the-fly piece of fiction, and for all your well wishes and feedback. I treasure every guestbook signature and every word of encouragement you all have given me.

However, I would be remiss if I didn't single out a few folks who went the extra mile in helping me reach this goal.

And so, I have a lot of awful people to thank. *giggles*

*For Mum, for teaching me the meaning of perseverance, grace under pressure, the ability to tell a good story, and for believing in every word I write as only a mother could.

*For Dad, for giving me his gift of language and his love of words, if not his financial acumen. ;-)

*For Michelle, for patiently helping me fill pot holes and find a fairy tale ending for Juno and Jamie.

*For Gail and Nathalie, for hounding me mercilessly, pushing me constantly, encouraging me amazingly, giving me the most kickass plot to write, and reading every word with a smile. I can't thank you both enough.

*For Denise, for once again donning that cheerleader outfit and spurring me on even when I was four billion words behind. You have no idea how much hearing my name spelled out with a spirited yell helped. ;-)

*For the SuperAgents, for all their support and encouragement, even when I was plotting dialogue in my head instead of watching for cute racer boys. ;-)

*For everyone else on my NaNo warning list who sent me silent prayers, words of encouragement, and believed I could do this again, I thank you.

I hope you enjoyed the story, and I hope you'll come back next year when I try this again. You know I will. :-)

All the best,

Marissa

before . after