The Everlast #00.1

(B. Schatz)

The Everlast
Created by B. Schatz

“Brave New Something”

#01 - Doubt the Impossible
(Part 01 of a 05 part series detailing the pre-production of B.’s 2005 NaNoWriMo contribution.)

“I’m going to write a novel in 30 days.”

“You’re going to start writing a novel in 30 days? Cool. Let me know when it’s done.”

“No, no, no, I’m going to write a novel inside the span of 30 days, start to finish.”

[Laughter.] “No you’re not. You’ll get burned out by the novelty after the first week, and you’ll never finish it.”

“No, this time is going to be different. I’m going to do it. Just you wait and see.”

“Oh yeah, different. Right. So who falls in love this time, and how are you going to relate it back to that girl of yours?”

“Um… it’s not going to be a love story. Not really. It’s going to be more like an all-ages fantasy tale. A big and sweeping ‘once upon a time’ epic.”

[Pause.]

[Much laughter.]

“Oh, quiet you.”

That was a conversation I had shortly after I decided to take part in this year’s NaNoWriMo. Note the sheer lack of support lent to me by this person. It’s quite heartwarming, don’t you think?

I mean, yes, the thought of me concentrating on nearly any project – let alone an entire novel – for one month is something that doesn’t seem incredibly likely. Couple that with the fact that I intend to continue with my weekly Soupy Toasterson schedule and work my two part time jobs… well, let’s just say the lack of confidence some people seem to have in me is quite warranted.

However, some good old fashioned lying would’ve been nice. That said, lies actually do very little to inspire my mind to write. What does seem to work in that department, is doubt.

Doubt is like liquid napalm for my creative process.

Don’t think I can do something? Great. Tell me. Explain to me how my hair-brained ideas aren’t only going to cause me to die alone, but that they are also going to kill puppies.

Lots and lots of puppies.

I’ll look at you defiantly.

Purely of its own will, my foot will boot you in the face. Hard.

I will stand upon your face, and then bend low.

“My writing,” I’ll tell you, my breath hot on your face, “is going to change the world. It’s going to move mountains. It’s going to destroy monuments. It’ll resurrect Abe fricken’ Lincoln, who’ll read my work, and then say just two words before the effort of speaking turns his body into dust:

“’Fuckin’ Abe’.”

And you’ll believe it too, because anyone crazy enough to kick you in the face and speak those words would probably kill you if you didn’t.

In short, your doubt will cause you to believe that I could kill you.

And seeing how I’m a scrawny 150 pounds of kitten-like fury, you’d be nuts to believe in the impossible.

So.

November.

The Everlast.

30 days.

50,000 words.

175 typed pages.

I dare you to tell me that isn’t going to happen.

Because I’m ready for the impossible.

Magnanimously yours,

-B. Schatz