Ok, not really.

A while back, I played a game where you could make your own country, and decide on its fate by answering issue questions. An unofficial accompaniment to this game is a wiki where you can create your nation’s history, and expand on information about the country, its leaders, etc. Well, after time, my interest waned in the game, although not writing about the country itself. So, it was to my great interest when I finally found a different wiki un-related to the game that’d allow me to do this. I changed the name of the country and some aspects of its history (as to when it was created, which before was an in-joke to a website I help run). Check out the new article. I plan to expand upon it soon.

Though I knew the peril that lie in the journey ahead, I was determined to see it through. I took my ship and glided throughout the vast reaches of space. But, alas! I was thwarted by engine trouble. There I was, stuck in the orbit of a planet that looked all I had learned of the Dark Side. Slowly, my ship fell into the atmosphere, and so I knew I only had one chance. I used the skills learned from pilot school to create a controlled crash. After I landed (with a lot of crunching sounds coming from the ship), I got out and looked around. The ship was cabin deep in a bog, and I feared that it would not fly again.

Exploring this vast planet further, I remembered a story from my youth. They said that a little man with great knowledge and fighting skill inhabited this place. I could not see why anybody would come here, as it reeked of the Dark Side. I explored further, and just as I was about to give up hope, I was startled by a, “I am wondering, why are you here?”

I feel that my time with this sage was well spent. He taught me some new tricks I had not known before, and helped my polish some of those that I did. He was a very nice guy, and even helped me get my ship out of the disgusting muck. I was happy to leave the planet.

I finally got to my destination, and exhausted from all that had happened to me so far, decided to go to the local Cantina for a drink, and a good square meal (the hermit’s food wasn’t that good).

Finally, I felt up to continuing my journey. However, I had not crossed half the city, when my journey came to meet me. “So, we meet at last, Merritt!” The Dark Side had come at last, and the reason for my journey was revealed. The time for the battle that would decide who was supreme, the Light Side or the Dark Side, had arrived.

Who won? What do you think? Seriously, though, tell me what you think in the comments.

Photos © 2007 Katie Baker

Well, National Novel Writing Month has officially begun! I’m already beginning to doubt my chances to get 50,000 words just a little bit. One day, and I wrote nothing. Luckily, I also have three chapters written of The New Regime, so a little change of plans. I’ll just upload what I have so far for the next couple days, and then get to some real writing come this weekend.

The reason for the slacking is two pronged: class and club. Had to do some MORE writing for another class, in this case, a script. So, technically, I’ve probably written a lot more words tonight for that than I just submitted to the NaNoWriMo site (1517, though Open Office tells me 1522).

So, just a small update. I’ll check in again when I have something of purpose to say.

That is, close the literary presses. I have decided that I am going to try and complete my on-going story, The New Regime during National Novel Writing Month in November. The goal of NNWM, in particular, this website, is to wrote a 50,000 word novel by November 30th.

Just tonight I was reminded of the website at another site I visit, and I decided this would be a perfect venue in which to try and complete the story. So, what does this mean? Well, The New Regime is going to be restarted. I will leave its current iteration up, and place the new version under a new category. However, I do plan to add a bit on to the beginning of the story, add some short chapters to before where it begins now, and give a greater history leading up to where the story starts now.

Since the goal of NNWM is quantity, not quality, the chapters may not be perfect. I will go back and edit later, however, I would like to get to the 50,000 word goal. So, don’t expect Shakespeare until I go back and perfect it.

This is certainly one of the bigger commitments I’ve gotten myself into. Hopefully it’ll be worth it.