Stumped During NaNo

Why can’t Lyle just realize that Sharon was the one who shot and killed his brother? Why is he still clinging to a relationship that’s not there?

I slump back in my chair and stare at my computer. My coffee is cold, my characters aren’t cooperating, and the clock says I’ve got less than three hours to pound out 5,000 more words in order to win NaNo. Winning by the word count isn’t enough, though. I want to finish the story. Stupid Lyle! If I knew he was going to be so dumb, I would have never let him in my novel. How can he not see she’s trying to frame him?

I back up from the computer. Lyle needs to think for a bit. I rub my eyes and decide to go to the kitchen for some hot coffee. There is only one doughnut left from the six pack I bought this morning, and I grab that, too. I stare out the window into the darkness, hoping for some inspiration. All that comes along is the teenager from down the block and his girlfriend. I sulk back to the computer.

I babble out a couple thousand words and check my character sketches and background story. How can Lyle figure this out?

Marty! Sharon is very close with her brother Marty. I established that in Chapter 7. Of course she’d tell him – she’d tell him everything. Lyle and Marty have become friends. They’re out together one night and Lyle is mourning the loss of his brother. Marty can’t stand to hold in the secret any longer as I type. He’s such a sap, but just the sap I needed.

Six thousand words and two and a half hours later... NaNo Won! Thank you, Marty!
Word Count: 294