This is insane.

I don't even know if it's physically possible to write 24 000 words in 24 hours.

But although I'm tired and feel like nothing more than curling up in bed, and I've got all manner of minor obligations and chores, there's nothing that can't be put off. I've just had a shower, I've got a cuppa bubbling away, a full load of classic CDs - Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, FSR and all the other greats - and a cheer squad. I know where I'm going, my characters shouldn't have too many surprises for me, and although this is going to be seat of the pants, stream of consciousness stuff, i'm going for it.

Stand by for keyboard meltdown.

Oh yeah. I'll lay off those Turkish apricots. There have been complaints. I put a reference into the novel. Art imitating fart, I suppose.

Not quite finished...

...but I've written the epilogue, and I'm particularly satisfied with it. Bookczuk knows where the story is heading, even if just about everything between beginning and end has evolved quite differently to how I laid it out six months ago.

Now, i've just got to nail down the remaining wriggling bits between middle and end. There's still a court hearing to go yet, and if I get a contrary judge, I might have to tear my hair out and start over.

Well, if I don't make this, blame Microsoft...

Big launch event tomorrow, and of course I put my name down for it. Not as keen on MS as I used to be, but still there's always a bunch of softare, some entertaining presenters, free food and coffee, and usually some groovy giveaways. My wireless mouse is a Microsoft freebie, as is the USB key I use as a transfer device nowadays.

And while the evangelist and developer support team were in town for tomorrow, they had an end of year Christmas get together for the local user groups tonight. I foolishly put my name down for that as well. Always the chance of prezzies, and Microsoft's prezzies can often be worth a few thousand dollars.

They scheduled three hours, but after one hour, the pizza had been et, the beer was still flowing, the presents had been given away and I'd spent most of my time sitting in a corner scribbliug away at my novel. Still, it was an hour or so out of my writing day, what with travel time and all. Then again, I didn't lose the whole three hours. On the other hand, I didn't get any worthwhile goodies, unless you count 90 day eval versions of the software.