The Dan Brown Code – Day 05 – 3565 Words
by Joseph on Nov.05, 2005, under NaNoWriMo
I’ve hit what you might call “a wall.” By Sunday midnight I need to have 10,000 words written to be anywhere near on track. Looking back at last year, though, I’m actually a bit ahead of my progress, so that’s something.
After a bit of creative rearranging, the first and sixth words of my novel are now “murder,” and Detective Delano “PT” Planine-Troiani is on the case. This has the unfortunate side effect of creating three sets of characters, much like last year’s novel, a situation I was trying to avoid. To make it seem less like a total ripoff of last year, I will not be pairing the detective up with anyone. He’s a loose cannon who doesn’t play by the rules in the corrupt precinct of a city gone mad. Or not. Besides good ol’ PT, we have:
- Richard Hunter: aspiring writer, Dan Brown fan
- Holly von Grall: free-lance reporter trying to get her big break
- Stanley Sykes: obnoxious creative writing coach, bad author
As well as your usual collection of minor characters like Sal, the grizzled crime scene investigator and Bramlet Abercrombie, the uh… Australian zeppelin pilot with a heart of gold? I just want to use that name for someone, at least. Anyway, I’ve uploaded the first chapter to my NaNo profile page for perusal, if you’re so inclined.
November 5th, 2005 on 4:50 pm
“But my coffee…” Sal lamented, holding up his mostly full cup as exhibit A of his ‘but my coffee’ defense.
Best. Line. Ever. That made me laugh so hard. That and PT mixing coffee in his mouth. Makes me wonder what would happen if someone dangled a doughnut in front of him. =)
You know, PT reminds me a bit of Detective Mosely. I have him pictured in that ugly mustard yellow blazer and everything.
Great start! Keep up the fabulous writing!
November 6th, 2005 on 11:58 am
I love it!!! I agree with Susan, that was a great line! And the end of the chapter was just hilarious! I saw one typo: “Though they weren’t that far from where the victim laid, they layout of the area meant that a full view was somewhat obstructed by a small mound covered with some nice shrubberies.”
Other than that, really nicely done, Joseph!
November 6th, 2005 on 12:30 pm
Well, if there was only one typo, I think I’m doing pretty good. There’ll be plenty more where that came from as the month continues.