write a novel

And even a plot, but absolutely no free time! I need to make time to at least lay out an outline before I forget it all. But if I forget it, was it really that great of an idea to begin with?

The other thing to consider, is do I take the practical route? It seems like I should find an agent, write a proposal, and all that jazz, but I guess it all boils down to am I doing this for me or to try to make money?

I’ve always had this secret desire to be an author. Not really a longing to actually write something though. More like I wanted to be famous in a sort of anonymous way. I wanted to have an excuse to be a guest on The Daily Show (even though I would tower over Jon Stewart) and tour the country while meeting interesting people.

The thing is I’m not sure what to write. I know I’m probably capable. I’ve always been a decent writer. I could easily put out a chick lit novel. I could probably do that in a couple months. But then, who would actually read it? And I’d have to go to all the trouble of finding an agent and writing up a proposal and all that nonsense. Just seems like a lot of work. Makes writing the book seem like the easy part.

In a perefct situation, an agent or a publisher would find me and just by reading an email or a short piece of something would just KNOW that I’m destined to be a great author. He/she would arrange a dinner or drinks and we’d hit it off marvelously. It would then come up that I’ve lived a fantastically interesting life which I should definitely chronicle.

The thing is that my life hasn’t been all that interesting. There’s been struggle and all that, but nothing dramatic enough for a book. I have a friend who definitely could do that. She’s an English teacher too. Maybe I really just want her to write a book. It would be a lot less work for me. And I could continue to being sentences with conjunctions, make annoyingly long sentences, and other grammar errors which I knowingly make.

When will it be acceptable to begin sentences with conjunctions? I’m going to say it is now.

I have all these bits and pieces in my head. I’ve never actually tried to sit down and piece them together. It’s something I’ve wanted to do. I’d like to tell the world about my grandma and the incredible life she lived. It’s hard to find time with school and work. Maybe I should keep a notebook and write when I have time, but then I’d just have to type it up later. What’s the best way to organize your thoughts? How do you formulate a good plot?