Dear Ream Readers and Friends,

During the month of November I have accepted the challenge issued by www.NaNoWriMo.org. I have decided that it is high-time that I complete the first draft of a novel I have been screwing around with for the better part of a year.  If I complete 50,000 words in the month of November; I am a winner. So I must try…  I have made this promise to myself and my ultra-supportive wife, Molly, who seems once again gifted with endless belief in her quixotic husband.

The book won’t sell even if I manage to complete it.  The concept is too racy for a Christian market and too Christian-y for the standard market.  Add to that my inexperience in blending story lines, and you have a recipe for NOT SELLING.  But I guess that is not the point.

You probably won’t like the book-that-doesn’t-yet-exist either.  It’s not tidy.  It doesn’t end neatly or even well.  I’ve managed to tear off my language filter.  Hopefully it will develop into the dark mirror of culture I am planning for it to become, a small portrait of a great culture war.  Hint: the story line is rooted in the first few chapters of Hosea.

All that to say: I will not be blogging regularly in the month of November.  When I do, I am contemplating posting excerpts of the rough draft.  The reason I am posting this as “news” is because I fear that if I don’t tell someone, I’ll quit.  The remedy is of course to tell everyone!

I won’t talk about the story much.  I’ve found that only derails me.  So if you ask how it’s going, I’m going to tell you – “Very Good.  Thanks.”  And that’s it.  I’ll tell you “Very Good” even if the truth is otherwise.  Molly has hidden the razor blades, the scotch, and has locked up all the ammunition to my guns.  There is no escaping!

I am thankful that you continue to read all of my nonsense at reamofpaper.  I look forward to writing for you again very soon.  I’m off…

Ryan