Well, there's the one I always recommend, no matter who asks -- The Master Li books by Barry Hughart. The first one is Bridge of Birds, a Novel of Ancient China. Number Ten Ox's village is afflicted by a plague that affects two things: silkworms and children. He takes the village's money and tries to find a sage to discover a cure -- instead, he runs into Li Kao, a 90-year old drunk whose shop is marked by the sign of a half-closed eye.

Light, fast, short, funny, and full of more information about ancient China than you can shake a stick at.

"My surname is Li and my personal name is Kao, and there is a slight flaw in my character."

Catch that rockinghorse!

It's got Timmy!

The first time I wrote a NaNo-style novel, I did it in June, because I was so worried about taking too long. I didn't. I've done two more since then.

My advice regarding ideas for the novel:

--Pick your favoritest genre.
--Throw ideas at the wall until you get one that doesn't sound boring.
--Look up "log lines" on the internet and develop one. You don't need to know the whole plot, but if you know who your hero is and what the fight is, it's much easier.
--Start writing.

Although I have done it with just steps one and four.

I wouldn't do this until you get closer to the date, though, unless you want to start early. Once you get a good idea, it's hard to wait :)

On another note: I'm just now getting ready to submit the first book to an agent. You'll also have to learn how to edit. Writing the first draft is the easy part, as long as you just keep writing.

Ha! So that's where all those non-sequiteurs from The Tick come from :)

Er, miss? That weren't no Cadbury Creme Egg, like.

I would love to have a Joost invite, if possible. Thank you!