Posted in NANOWRIMO, Writing

NANOWRIMO PREVIEW #1

Less than 30 days before NANOWRIMO, and I’m zeroing in on the subject matter. While I hope this book has lighthearted moments like my last one, I also hope that it teaches, encourages, and makes people think (which I hope my last one does as well).

I have been mentally preparing myself to “go to the well,” – that place deep inside me where I know the soul of this book exists. The subject matter is going to push me, stretch me, and possibly punish me, but I know it’s a story that needs to be told… otherwise, I may never sleep again.

The idea for this book has been keeping me up at night. I haven’t had that happen in a long time. When I have a book idea inside me that is this powerful, I feel responsible to bring it to life. I don’t know if the subject matter or the feeling of responsibility is keeping me up. I find either prospect exciting in a way.

Pray for me as I prepare and write in November! I can’t wait to see the story unfold.

Posted in NANOWRIMO, Writing

NANOWRIMO 2007

In 38 days, I will attempt to write another 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Yes, it’s NANOWRIMO time again!

Last year, I had to let the opportunity go. I was in the middle of packing to move and had to let go for my sanity. It’s also hard to be creative when it’s less than a month to move and… you don’t know where you’re moving… but that worked out, and I’m not moving during the holidays this year. YAY!

I’m trying to talk some others into doing NANOWRIMO with me. They are very creative and I know they have a lot to talk about! I would call them out here in blogworld, but I’m going to let them be until they decide to do it or not.

I have a title, some characters and a premise. It already feels like a book that will write itself as it did last time (2005), so I’m stoked about it. I keep opening the file every day so it’s on my mind for the next 38 days.

I’ll be posting updates here as I go.

Posted in Writing

WORDS…

I went to a writer’s workshop today and every time the instructor said certain words, Nancy, Dana and I would smile and add it to the list of words we would use on our blogs.

I’m sure that Nancy and Dana have a more complete list, but I am going to try to use the words, genre, transparency, rift, and ensconced in a sentence. My brain is too worn out with words to do otherwise tonight.

In the science fiction genre, a rift in the space-time continuum can cause quite a problem, but those ensconced behind a forcefield are protected despite its transparency.

Now…I am going to let my tired brain rest. Maybe I should watch “Lame is Rob?” (sorry, inside joke).

Posted in NANOWRIMO, Writing

NANOWRIMO is No Mo…

Hello, peeps. I had to put my NANOWRIMO aspirations on hold. Since we’re moving in two weeks, it just didn’t seem sane to try to pack and move and write 1700 words or more a day. So, the book is on hold. I may make my own NANOWRIMO another time next year.

The good news is we found a place to live about five miles away, and one mile closer to work. I signed the lease today. We’re going to save money and I will have my own bathroom and huge closet! I’m very excited about everything except the moving part.

So, keep us in your prayers as we pack and move. Also, it’s a gas hookup for the dryer and since our dryer is gas, we will be line drying our clothes until a gas dryer can be procured.

Are we having fun yet?

Posted in Writing

HOME ALONE

In just over a month, I will attempt to write another novel. I am still editing the last one, but I am at a comfortable place with it, so hopefully I will be able to let go of it soon.

I haven’t written in a while, mostly because my brain has been overloaded and trying to form coherent sentences has been nearly impossible, and once again I’ve gotten away from the things that feed my creativity. I hope this fall that trend comes to a close. I need to feed my creativity, or I’ll explode.

With that deficit in mind, I have tried to take steps to stoke my creativity. I am currently involved in a class on Christian meditation, which has been very helpful. I am particularly interested in Ignatian Meditation, which has been linked to increased creativity. It uses all the senses and writing, so I hope to glean as much as I can from it. I love the class and I will be sorry to see it end in November… but I suppose I’ll be glad to have the time back to write my book!

One thing that I’ve been trying to do lately is get out of the house for purposes other than work. The meditation class helped, and I’ve been trying to reconnect with friends. The reconnecting part isn’t easy on my budget, but fortunately, I have generous friends right now.

So when G turned up at the store today, I was so happy. I always love hanging out with G. She makes me laugh and is always supportive of me creatively. She and I are sort of going through the same thing — reconnecting with that part of ourselves that exists outside of work. Hopefully, we’ll get to hang out soon.

Now I just need a topic/outline for another book. Do I have another good one in me?

Posted in Writing

RE-WRITES AND INK CARTRIDGES

I am in love with paper. I love everything about paper except that it breaks down and gives off dust particles that make me sick. Even with that side effect, I am surrounded by paper.

Yes, I could edit my manuscript on the computer. It would be cheaper and save trees and ink, but I love the feel of paper. I love leaning back on my pillow, running my fingers over the nearly smooth paper and I love the act of turning the pages. No e-books for me… not until someone steals my inkjet printer or until my inkjet printer is as obsolete as my VCR.

I have always loved paper. To this day, I love to walk into a bookstore and take a deep breath and feel a sense of “home.” I know, it’s a bit odd, but this is me, a lover of words and paper.

I have finally put an ending to my 50,000 + word odyssey from NANOWRIMO in November. I am eagerly re-writing it, scripting transitions to go with my witty dialogue. I truly do not know when I will be finished with it. Probably never. The Roomie will have to sit on my inner critic and help me let the “finished” product go eventually.

Until eventually…I edit.

Posted in NANOWRIMO, Writing

12,000 WORDS TO GO…

Even with a couple of set backs, I am on pace to finish by next weekend. I am looking forward to completing this task!

I wrote over 4,000 words today. This is a good thing. Tomorrow I will have a busy day. Many are sick or are on vacation, but I have to work later because of it. That’s okay. It’s a little bit of extra money and I always could use some of that.

If I don’t get back here by Thursday, Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted in NANOWRIMO, Writing

17, 402 WORDS!

So far, so good. I still have a long way to go, but I am really caught up in my story right now. My only problem is stretching it out. I actually think I have an ending forming in my mind, which is wonderful… it’s just getting there that’s tedious.

And, in other news, I received my first jury summons this week. I’m supposed to report downtown on Tuesday, November 29th. I really don’t like going downtown during the week, so this will be fun. I do, however, get paid at my job, so that takes some of the sting out of it! I am looking forward to the process, though.

More material for the book, perhaps.

Good night!

Posted in NANOWRIMO, Writing

DETOURS

Despite a two-hour detour helping a friend who was in an accident, not getting started writing until 7 because of getting home from work late and having to complete tomorrow night’s Bible study assignment, I managed to get 1732 words written this evening and I will be in bed by 12:15 am. Not bad.

So far, it’s going somewhat smoothly despite all the detours. If you want to read the roomie’s detours of the day, go read her blog.

It’s been an interesting day, but I’m ready to go nite nite…