NaNoWriMo Thoughts, Feelings, and Tips

Hi,

One day, I will get this blogging thing back to its hay day. In the meantime, I'll keep on keeping on. I've had a lot of new releases, and more to come. But I'm most happy that I've kept writing through the worst year I've had since...a long time.

Okay, NaNoWriMo is a huge writing online camp. You do fun things, reach out, meet up with peeps you might never have become connected to otherwise. I've become a part of a group that is so positive and means a lot. New for me. But I think, that in the hoopla of reaching that 50k words written goal, people forget the purpose. The purpose is to get you to write, to stretch your  comfort zone, to reach for a goal that might seem impossible. Now, it doesn't show it on NaNo stats because I didn't remember to finalize the official word count, but I've only lost one year that I've done it.

That's not to brag. In fact, I had to work very hard to do it with all that's going on. The thing is, use NaNo to do what you need it to do. I use it to get back into the habit of making writing a priority. If you don't win, but you wrote at least 5 days a week, you're a huge winner. You now have words you didn't have before. If you're a new writer, this is especially important. The first couple hundred thousand words you write tend to not be your best. LOL

Since I've made 50k words this year outside of NaNo, I've made a stretch goal of 75-100k. That's insane, but I'm at 38,627 and I haven't written yet today. (Too bad can't count blog and emails! lol I'd be way over my 100k mark :P). Do you see that number? I've been ill, my kids have been ill, I've had no money (can't go to write ins, stress of power being turned off, etc.), and multiple hours spent at doctor's offices, and I've still managed. How? I've worked late at night, cut sleep back to 6 hours...if I'm lucky. Remember those sick kids? Sigh.

In case you're new here, I have 5 kids, one grandkid, and one daughter in law. I have three still at home, and they are all in different schools. They have been bringing something home from each school, and like good little kids, have shared with everyone. I've not gone one whole week without someone being sick. I'm ready for it to be done now. ANYWAY.

The point is to push yourself further than you believed possible, to make yourself go. I had to change strides. The one I was on just wasn't coming. I have more wordage on the shorts (I'm putting together something for Carina, cross fingers) that were supposed to be extras than on my main project. However, the new project is moving along nicely. I hope to really push it the last week. I'm also hoping to get some write in time, time away from family responsibility to really focus on my writing. But even if that doesn't happen, I am going to make my 50k goal. I am probably going to make the 75k goal. The real stretch will be that 100k goal. Who needs sleep :P

For those who have struggled in the past, here's a past blog post with some helpful hints and tips to make it through a successful NaNo!

Don't forget, the biggest plus is learning how to consistently put out words, regardless of the count! The new friends, reconnect with old friends, is just a bonus!

As a closing, I'd like to remind everyone, I have a new tagline for my artistic life and a youtube channel (Only have one video, but have started the planning for more. It's a learning curve for me. LOL), and I've put out quite a few books available across many venues, and continuing to add more books to more venues. To keep up on everything, you can sign up for my newsletter on the side bar, or here.


That tagline? The Next Leonardo da Vinci. Or, The Next Leona-rdo da Vinci.

The newsletter encompasses art and writing, and any other skill I want to show off, but mainly art and writing. Please, come follow me! When I get to where I want to be, it'll be once a week. Right now, I'm working hard for once a month. :)

Time to Buckle Down

Yep, I said that. As if July wasn't enough. However, I did fun things in July. I will do a few fun things this month I hope, but nothing like we did so far. I had my 20 year class reunion and it was a blast. I danced the night away and now I am sore... That was Saturday night! Will be catching up on some cleaning and stuff but definitely need to buckle down to writing on computer more.

How is everyone's writing going? don't forget I have a Christie Craig novel to give away. I need people to post who ran the 1k a day or 3k aday (five days a week) with me! Otherwise, this splendid gift will disappear into nothingness!

So fellow writers, Write! Others, how are you doing? What are you doing? Anything fun this summer?

happy days (&update)

So, many of you will think I'm a dork or goof even by the end of this blog, but *shrugs, you would be right so on with it!

First off, we got an air conditioner in OUR ROOM. You know. The place with the computer. The place I have been trying to write this whole month only to end up a puddle of blood and sweat that had nothing to do with my writing? Yep, that's the place. Now, I will be able to put al those notes on paper on to the computer. It will probably be a week before I have true numbers on word count for this month, but what a month!

I've got a 20 year school reunion tonight, 11th anniversary last night, opened the show FOOLS last monday, had family reunion last weekend, finally sent off painting that I've been waiting months to do, canned and jammed like the next world war is about to happen and otherwise tried hard not to use up all the ducttape on my children as they have decided that they do not have to act civilized. Sigh. I am exhausted.

Thank goodness for this writing challenge or I may not have even finished the project that is no longer finished. The one that I basically stripped my voice from will now be reedited and all that awesome verbage and emotions and visually stunning words shall go back into the fray and then we shall see where we are! Yeah!

Of course with the happy days news of getting my air conditioner, I find out that at somepoint yesterday the baby pulled the faucet out of sinc in my tub and now the water runs UNDER THE HOUSE, so not a good thing. Hubby thinks he can fix this, but who knows... UGH lol

Also, I have book marks for those who did this with me this month, so comment and tell me what color you want (and yes, this is open international if you really did this via twitter or my blog) I will know who you are...

Update for the 1st week

So I had to figure my numbers out today in order to be in drawing for a book. Here is my writing numbers at this point. I put over 11k words into the computer, with more on paper that still needs to be translated! I'm so happy. Although, I am in middle of editing so, no word is safe with me muwahahaha.

I have to make up 3kaday this weekend to the tune of 3724. Piece of cake since some of those words are already down on paper lol. It's just very Hot in my room with the computer, so I have to limit my time on it. The rest of the time, the computer is getting turned off to keep things cool. For the computer I mean.

Going to pick cherries in an hour with ALL the kids--wish me luck, then take daughter to doctor, then pick up husband. Somewhere in there, I need to grocery shop for weekend and start sorting cherries, do laundry and rearrange the utility room so it will fit all the canned goods. I plan on having enough fruits and vegetables to hardly have to buy ANY during the winter. I'd prefer my home canned stuff. Then all I will buy is fresh, occassionally, when I can't stand the canned anymore. Although, I find it is better when it is homecanned :D

One trick I use is frozen apple juice for the fruit. You simply double the water that it calls for for regular juice and heat to a boil. Obviously, some of the water evaporates, so it ends up being a little less than double when it goes into the jars. You use this mixture to replace the sugar water. Much better for you, and the liquid is good enough to serve as a drink when you open it. And it has the benefit of added acids for the canning process. Thanks mom for that tip.

Everyone have a good day :D and don't forget that I have a Christie Craig book up for grabs. Or rather, she does LOL She writes romantic comedy and well worth a read, or to be used as a gift for someone else. See previous post for rules.

weekend update

Wow, so after the first day of this, I was in a panic. It was one of those days. Things like 20 minute drives taking 2 hours, baby on a terror, rehearsal, teenage daughter not exactly panicking, but going on a drama tear, headaches, spills, losing Internet, you name it, I had it happen that first day. Squeaked out close to 1k (had to estimate because I forgot to mark my stopping point).

Yesterday, though, I wrote my little bum off *fine you caught me: my bum is NOT little* and it's still there, unfortunately.

I'm at 5200+ few for the two days. Will make up the other 800 while trying to keep to the 1kaday for the weekend. That made about 4200 for yesterday and I finished my fantasy! Well, still have 5 chapters of edits coming in, but still. Can we say wow O.O? I had to. With five kids and playing mom's taxi, 3k is a trick.

To help me with my word count, I'm taking a notebook since my laptop is out of commission *sobs* and I always get the best ideas when I'm out and about.

Everyone be sure to work on their 1kaday and enjoy their writing as much as their fourth -- or more if you are not having a big bang of a party. I know, I know, cheesy, but my family is chomping in my ears because we are going horseback riding as soon as we are ready to leave. :D

Happy Fourth of July everyone! How are you going to spend it? I am going to paint the largest flag in the county. I've already warned my husband. He said, "Wait. Let me get this straight. You are going to the larges flag in the county, on the fourth of July, and think you are going to set up easel and paint?" "No," I said. I'm going to Taco Bell across the street which has picnic tables and park area that I can see it from. I WAMT those people at the park so I can paint them in if I want." He simiply shook his head. He knows I will. I don't often take off to paint. Even though I want to. So when I say I'm going, he knows I mean it.

Off to the fun and the Fourth.

:D