I’ve been working on a new novel and struggling a bit with the voice. Yesterday, I posted the following on Twitter:
@SusanPetrone gets 1 jelly bean for every 100 words she writes on the new novel. #cheapmotivation
I received the following tweet in reply from the Jelly Bean Factory:
GourmetBean Jelly Bean Factory
@SusanPetrone Send us a copy when it’s done, and we’ll send you back a Jelly Bean Machine! #morecheapmotivation
I love the sound of this deal, however, I’m at the beginning stages of this novel. I’m maybe 8,000 words into what will grow up to be a 100,000-word book (give or take a dozen or so jelly beans). If I keep to this method of motivation, I’ll end up consuming approximately 950-1,000 jelly beans over the next 12-18 months, as that seems to be my standard germination process for a novel first draft.
I suppose I could take a draft of the I’m-not-sure-if-it’s-genre-or-what manuscript that’s been sitting around taking up space, and send them that, but as I am an honest Puck, I won’t. The jelly beans are motivation for the writing of this book. (By the way, the working title is The Sweetheart of the Hobby Printers of America.*)
My question to the Jelly Bean Factory: Is there is a time limit on this offer? I’ll write as fast as I can, but it’s still gonna be a while before I have a draft to send you. Please advise, and thanks for the added incentive to get this first draft written. You’re good eggs. Or rather, beans.
*Back before there were bloggers or zinesters, there was amateur journalists, who wrote (and frequently printed on their own small hand presses) short journals that were were distributed through hobby/fraternal organizations. They’re still around–check out the American Amateur Press Association or the National Amateur Press Association. This novel is about one of the rare female hobby printers. Not only can she set type, she’s a real pip.
Hi Susan,
yes the deal stands for as long as it takes!
And to incentivise you even more….we’ll send you copious amounts of beans in refill bags so your Jelly Bean Factory Jelly Bean Machine stays full during the next novel 🙂
Regards,
The Jelly Bean Factory.
ps….quit spending time writing blogs…you’ve a novel to finish!
You’re on! And thank you.
I’m guessing the Jelly Bean people don’t know much about the novel writing process. But maybe they’d settle for just a draft of a single chapter? Although sending off your rough draft to the fine people who manufacture tiny colorful corn syrup treats seems kind of odd.
In either case, those Jelly Bean folks sure are on top of things. I’d be jealous if I actually liked jelly beans. Maybe I should start a Twitter account for the sole purpose of referencing specific treats found only at high-end vegan bakeries. You think that will work?
Wow, this is fantastic. I <3 jelly beans…way too easy to eat. 🙂
Awesome Sushi!!!! I love jelly beans and your writing. Good luck the new novel.
@Laura: I think the vegan bakery idea is worth a shot.
@Jen & @Dale: Thanks!
I love the jelly bean idea! Now you need to print a t-shirt that says, “Will work for beans.”
How did you get in so good with a jelly bean factory? That rocks! And the novel has “sweet” in the title, so it’s apt…
I just added your blog site to my blogroll, I pray you would give some thought to doing the same.
@Mike: Thanks for your note. I’d love to check out your site and reciprocate, but I keep getting an error message. Is http://www.lafeaijss.org/ the correct URL?