I managed to find the time and pushed out the words to complete the challenge of the National Novel Writing Month. It's a great feeling to have accomplished so much within a month's time.
The reality is I have a lot more work ahead of me. I began with no outline, with only a speck of an idea. The scenes came to me in spurts and not in logical order. Sifting through the produced work should prove to be a large task. The results and the learning experience will be well worth the effort.
Congratulations to all who participated. It takes a lot of motivation and courage to attempt such a feat. Whether you won or not, you gave it your all and that is what counts.
Good luck with your finished product and keep writing.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
The big day is tomorrow. I want to take a moment and give thanks to all those who have guided me in my writer's journey.
I'd like to thank my best friend, Alisyn, for being a constant sounding board for my ideas, both good and bad. Mostly, I'm thankful for you being by my side through it all.
I'd like to thank my boyfriend, James, for understanding that I need time alone when writing and giving me the space needed.
I'd like to thank my critique partners and critique groups, past, present, and future. Without you my skills would not have grown so quickly.
I'd like to thank all of my blog followers. I appreciate your visits and comments.
I'd like to thank my family for providing me with the material that finds its way into my stories.
I'd like to thank god for giving me the gift and desire to write.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Try not to eat too much.
Labels:
Holiday Posts
Saturday, November 21, 2009
National Novel Writing Month - Day 21
NaNoWrMo, it's almost over. How many will complete the word count? How many of those novels will make it into the next stage?
At this point, I doubt myself. It's bringing back memories of the first time I did this challenge. And again, I'm wondering if it was a mistake to start. I'm sure every writer goes through this when writing a novel. But, I wonder how much of it is from the added pressure of getting it all down within a month. I'm sure an outline would have lessened the stress.
I'm still tapping the words out in hopes of meeting the challenge. At this point, I have to get twenty-five hundred words a day for the remainder of the month. Shouldn't be hard if I can think of something more to write.
Good luck everyone, as they struggle through this challenge.
27552 / 50000 words. 55% done!
At this point, I doubt myself. It's bringing back memories of the first time I did this challenge. And again, I'm wondering if it was a mistake to start. I'm sure every writer goes through this when writing a novel. But, I wonder how much of it is from the added pressure of getting it all down within a month. I'm sure an outline would have lessened the stress.
I'm still tapping the words out in hopes of meeting the challenge. At this point, I have to get twenty-five hundred words a day for the remainder of the month. Shouldn't be hard if I can think of something more to write.
Good luck everyone, as they struggle through this challenge.
27552 / 50000 words. 55% done!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Save My Job at USPS
I know this is off topic for this blog, but I felt the need to voice my thoughts on this subject.
I am an RCA for the post office. My job is to fill in for a regular carrier during her days off. A RCA is guaranteed one day per week. As I'm sure you've all heard the post office is considering dropping down to five day delivery. The postal service isn't totally sure how they will work the system out, but it would definitely be the end of most of the substitute's jobs.
The cause of this is low mail volume. In my opinion, the reason for this is the internet. We now have email and online bill paying options.
I am as guilty as the next person of not using the postal services as much as I have in the past. If each person was to send out one letter a week, or even a month, can you imagine how much mail that would accumulate to be.
Help save the postal employee jobs. Reach out to loved ones. Send them a personal letter once a month. Forty-four cents could save my job.
I am an RCA for the post office. My job is to fill in for a regular carrier during her days off. A RCA is guaranteed one day per week. As I'm sure you've all heard the post office is considering dropping down to five day delivery. The postal service isn't totally sure how they will work the system out, but it would definitely be the end of most of the substitute's jobs.
The cause of this is low mail volume. In my opinion, the reason for this is the internet. We now have email and online bill paying options.
I am as guilty as the next person of not using the postal services as much as I have in the past. If each person was to send out one letter a week, or even a month, can you imagine how much mail that would accumulate to be.
Help save the postal employee jobs. Reach out to loved ones. Send them a personal letter once a month. Forty-four cents could save my job.
Friday, November 13, 2009
National Novel Writing Month - Day 13
Friday the 13th. Didn't realize what day it was until just now. Nothing bad happened to me today. It was actually a good day. Wonder if it would have been different if I'd known it was the dreaded thirteenth. Anyone have odd occurrences because of the date?
Sorry about the lateness of this post. I've been working hard trying to keep up with work, life, and NaNo. The whole word count responsibility is really cutting into my daily life. In less than two hours, I can produce the words needed, but sometimes it's difficult to know where the story should go next.
How are the rest of you doing out there in NaNo Land?
21439 / 50000 words. 43% done!
Sorry about the lateness of this post. I've been working hard trying to keep up with work, life, and NaNo. The whole word count responsibility is really cutting into my daily life. In less than two hours, I can produce the words needed, but sometimes it's difficult to know where the story should go next.
How are the rest of you doing out there in NaNo Land?
Monday, November 9, 2009
National Novel Writing Month - Day Nine
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
National Novel Writing Month - Day Four
I've made it to day four, with only small problems. The story I began on day one has been put to rest. It was a good story line, but I regret to say I am not the one to write it.
I began a new story on day two and it is moving right along. I don't have the entire plot worked out yet, but it will come to me as I go.
As of today, I'm at 6,154 words.
How are you other Nano participants doing?
I began a new story on day two and it is moving right along. I don't have the entire plot worked out yet, but it will come to me as I go.
As of today, I'm at 6,154 words.
How are you other Nano participants doing?
Monday, November 2, 2009
Inspiration
The main source of inspiration comes from within you. It usually takes an outer source to bring it into a brighter light. These sources can include a loved one, a favorite photo, a poem, and even nature. Most will find that coming into contact with these sources will cause you to feel an instant surge of release.
My inspiration comes from many sources, but lately it has been a tree. Yes, a tree. It sits in my backyard and I visit it daily. Sitting on my back porch, I watch it sway and listen to it whisper in the wind. It's leaves form many patterns. I notice different aspects of it at different times. If I'm stuck on a story or just feeling out of wits, I can visit my tree and everything will seem different.
Where is your favorite place to find inspiration?
My inspiration comes from many sources, but lately it has been a tree. Yes, a tree. It sits in my backyard and I visit it daily. Sitting on my back porch, I watch it sway and listen to it whisper in the wind. It's leaves form many patterns. I notice different aspects of it at different times. If I'm stuck on a story or just feeling out of wits, I can visit my tree and everything will seem different.
Where is your favorite place to find inspiration?