Quick Change: How I Lost a Novel but Gained a Metaphor

Participating in NaNoWriMo* was, for me, a lot like trying to decide what to wear for a big holiday party — without the aid of an official dress code.

Understand, I’m not usually at a loss to assemble an ensemble. Nor do I struggle to come up with writing ideas. But this project proved to be challenging in one way that I anticipated (this being my first attempt at non-screenplay fiction), and another that I didn’t expect.

It all started so well. I had a plot, setting, and most of the main characters sketched…