My Blog

Do you NaNo? Doesn’t that sound like an advertising campaign for a new kind of dessert or fitness craze? The truth is it is for writers of all genres to write a novel in the month of November. I’ll have to admit this is my first time to jump in the swirling waters with thousands of other people across the world. You can go to the website and sign up. Let others keep you accountable. Have a writing buddy to compare notes or use as a sounding board. I’m not doing any of that.  http://nanowrimo.org/

The month of November is very hectic for me, especially this year. I will be traveling to Boston for the Mission K9 Rescue Gala with many other thriller and mystery writers. It’s a great fundraiser to rehabilitate warrior dogs home from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. With help they are put up for adoption or reunited with their handler/buddy. It’s all very touching and so worthwhile. 
http://missionk9rescue.org/

My son also has a birthday this month. So we have to fit that in along with celebrating Thanksgiving with the Oklahoma kids. They go to their in-laws over the actual holidays. Then my parents also expect us to travel to their home for the turkey day. 

So between promises of participating in other community events and the day to day things I usually do I’ve committed to writing each day. It’s not a big stretch. I’ve been doing this for months now. I’m in the habit. My hope is that I don’t let the word November distract me from my novel.

What will I do to prepare? I actually have written the first four chapters so I’m on my way. Today I wrote Chapter 5 which made me feel successful. I think that is what it takes. Just getting the words down. Let them flow through you. If you don’t get 1500 words down then write what you can. It doesn’t affect world peace the last time I checked. Order pizza for supper and open a bag of salad and some frozen fruit. Easy. No one is going to starve. Another thing I won’t do is let everyone else know how much I’m writing in a day. That makes me feel like I’m competing with myself. I’m not going to share that time I should be writing.

 I realize sometimes that is exactly what others need to get a fire built under them to write. I also know some of you will have planned out every meal for a month. (Over achievers.) I hear peanut butter is very nutritious. A box of raisins will be the dessert at my house. However you make the words happen, I applaud you. I believe in you. You go, girl (or guy). See you at the end of the month. I won’t be on social media much. If I am I’m stuck or made my word goals for the day.