A stalling tactic, 19, 266 words

As you know, yesterday I was completely bored about having to write about Seth, Reggie and Mary Kate working on the farm. But I didn't want Seth to just head back to the city yet, so I made them spend at least one more day. I breezed through the day of work on the farm with a paragraph, and then had them settle down to tell stories after dinner.

This stalling tactic had the following benefits:
1. It allowed me to find out about Seth's past
2. It allowed me to include certain NaNoWriMo jokes
3. It allowed me to write about Seth being on the farm without being boring.

By the way, for those who don't know, Katie and I have incorporated a writing challenge into our daily writing. As some of you know, I am on the Martha Stewart craft of the day email list.
These crafts are sometimes interesting and pretty, and sometimes cause a wave of fury because of how ridiculous they are. Katie and I are including the Craft of the Day into our day's writing. You may recognize the painted sneakers, the chili wreath, and now, the Beachy necklace.

In the part of my novel I wrote today, Seth told a story about Reggie, and then Reggie told a story about, well, Reggie.

Here's part of the first story:

"So she puts these necklaces on the little hooks in her traveling suitcase, and she makes a little sign for herself. She named her company, 'How Beachy,' god only knows why," Seth checked to make sure Mary Kate wasn't offended by her blasphemy but Mary Kate rocked placidly on, enjoying the story. "So she went around to all the neighbours, with this suitcase, and she asked if they wanted any of her beachy necklaces. I believe she asked for a nickel for 'em. And when her mom and dad found out… which they did, lickety split, because there are no secrets in West McGillivray, they were so mad! I swear I heard the whole argument, from way down in the workhouse by the stream.

"The worst part of it is, that one kind lady had bought a necklace from Reggie. It was Reggie's Auntie May, and the next day May comes tearing up the road, screaming bloody murder. She had a big gash on her neck where the china shard had cut her open when she tried to wear the bloody thing – no pun intended, eh Reg?"

And here's part of the second story:

"It was cold and getting colder, and no lights from any farmhouses nearby, and I knew I should just stay put until morning, so I started to dig myself a little snowcave like they say to do, to keep warm. But once I dug the cave, I started to see a light – and I looked up and there was a woman standing there. I swear it was the Virgin Mary. So I said, Heavenly Mother, have you come to lead me out of here?

"And the Virgin looked at me and said, "no, you stupid motherfucker, I'm Emilio Estevez, and for the last time, I'm not a virgin! In the future, I will star in such comedy classics as The Breakfast Club and The Mighty Ducks (plus two sequels). But, you are right about one thing. I'm here to lead you out of this mess. Come on, follow me." And the Virgin/Emilio started walking away. Needless to say, I had no idea what this person was talking about, but figured I might as well follow. It was either that or stay in a frozen hole in the ground all night. We walked for only about fifteen minutes when all of a sudden we were back at Seth's place. I turned to say goodbye and to thank Emilio, but he just started fading away. He likened it to Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future, but I really didn't know what he was talking about."

Admit it, you thought there was no way to include an Emilio Estevez reference in a novel set in the 1920's. And you were wrong.