Thankful, a year later

November 30, 2011 – THE DEADLINE
Exactly one year ago, I completed my first NaNoWriMo project. (Well, it was one year ago, minus 3 days, actually, but I didn’t want to brag.) What a wonderful experience that was: creating a brand new story of 50,000 words in one month. I was petrified at the time, though energized and excited. All in all, it was major blast. 
From day one, I was in love with my story (that I named “Maren’s Big Scoop”) along with the funny, big-hearted characters that played around inside my head for a solid month. Recently, I went sifting through my Facebook posts from last November, to kind of relive when I’d been writing about Maren and Patrick and all their tomfoolery. What an amazing time that was for me, and what a perfect way to prepare for my future writing projects. Of course, last November, I had no idea that I would soon be under contract to write two more stories for the fabulous Entangled Publishing’s Bliss cat-rom imprint–namely, “Playing at Love” (you remember her?) and her upcoming spin-off “Speaking of Love.” I wrote each new story in about three weeks. Without my NaNo experience, I probably wouldn’t have been able to tackle such an ambitious goal.
Color me grateful.
And what is even more thrilling is that–a year later–I am currently editing my sweet “Maren’s Big Scoop,” preparing her for submission. And, ya know what, I’m just as head-over-heels in love with my characters and story as I was a year ago. I can’t wait for the world to meet these people and follow them on their ride.
So, cheers to you, NaNo. Thank you. You almost killed me, but I am forever grateful. 
And an extra cheers to all the fab writers out there who are winding down on this years’ NaNo. Congrats and let the celebrating begin!

Thankful, a year later

November 30, 2011 – THE DEADLINE
Exactly one year ago, I completed my first NaNoWriMo project. (Well, it was one year ago, minus 3 days, actually, but I didn’t want to brag.) What a wonderful experience that was: creating a brand new story of 50,000 words in one month. I was petrified at the time, though energized and excited. All in all, it was major blast. 
From day one, I was in love with my story (that I named “Maren’s Big Scoop”) along with the funny, big-hearted characters that played around inside my head for a solid month. Recently, I went sifting through my Facebook posts from last November, to kind of relive when I’d been writing about Maren and Patrick and all their tomfoolery. What an amazing time that was for me, and what a perfect way to prepare for my future writing projects. Of course, last November, I had no idea that I would soon be under contract to write two more stories for the fabulous Entangled Publishing’s Bliss cat-rom imprint–namely, “Playing at Love” (you remember her?) and her upcoming spin-off “Speaking of Love.” I wrote each new story in about three weeks. Without my NaNo experience, I probably wouldn’t have been able to tackle such an ambitious goal.
Color me grateful.
And what is even more thrilling is that–a year later–I am currently editing my sweet “Maren’s Big Scoop,” preparing her for submission. And, ya know what, I’m just as head-over-heels in love with my characters and story as I was a year ago. I can’t wait for the world to meet these people and follow them on their ride.
So, cheers to you, NaNo. Thank you. You almost killed me, but I am forever grateful. 
And an extra cheers to all the fab writers out there who are winding down on this years’ NaNo. Congrats and let the celebrating begin!

in the bag

Playing a little “40 Things” catch-up…..

#2 – Read two books that have always intimidated me  
(or in this case, bugged me.) 
“A Christmas Carol” (this is one of the two)
 
#6 – Teach a class
As part of COMPANY’s “Natural Gas 101,” I’ve taught two mini (very mini) refresher courses to three different groups. Two more to come.
#12 – Take a step toward my true passion
National Novel Writing Month.
done & done.
#18 – Embrace the White
If anyone has seen me lately, you know this one is oh-so-true. (Paula’s Choice is my first ever daily sunscreen of choice. Excellent product.)
 
#26 – “Unplug”
This started during my NaNo month, and I’m so used to the quiet now, that I seldom turn on TV, radio, cd like I use to. Digging the quiet.
#27 – “Unsubscribe”
I’ve been doing this pretty religiously since September. I get so much junk mail, junk email and worthless Facebook news feeds. Now, when something comes up that I don’t read and know I will NEVER read, I don’t just delete, but I go to the site and unsubscribe. It’s amazing how much cleaner all my inboxes are these days. I highly recommend this. I was keeping track of my email unsubscribes for a while, but stopped counting after 50.
#28 – Take a class
In October, I sat in on one of those free classes at Home Depot. It was on home fire safety. And I loved it. They offer three every Saturday. This will definitely not be my last.

Still a long way to go on my list, but I’d like to rest for a while now. Thanks. Bye.

in the bag

Playing a little “40 Things” catch-up…..

#2 – Read two books that have always intimidated me  
(or in this case, bugged me.) 
“A Christmas Carol” (this is one of the two)
 
#6 – Teach a class
As part of COMPANY’s “Natural Gas 101,” I’ve taught two mini (very mini) refresher courses to three different groups. Two more to come.
#12 – Take a step toward my true passion
National Novel Writing Month.
done & done.
#18 – Embrace the White
If anyone has seen me lately, you know this one is oh-so-true. (Paula’s Choice is my first ever daily sunscreen of choice. Excellent product.)
 
#26 – “Unplug”
This started during my NaNo month, and I’m so used to the quiet now, that I seldom turn on TV, radio, cd like I use to. Digging the quiet.
#27 – “Unsubscribe”
I’ve been doing this pretty religiously since September. I get so much junk mail, junk email and worthless Facebook news feeds. Now, when something comes up that I don’t read and know I will NEVER read, I don’t just delete, but I go to the site and unsubscribe. It’s amazing how much cleaner all my inboxes are these days. I highly recommend this. I was keeping track of my email unsubscribes for a while, but stopped counting after 50.
#28 – Take a class
In October, I sat in on one of those free classes at Home Depot. It was on home fire safety. And I loved it. They offer three every Saturday. This will definitely not be my last.

Still a long way to go on my list, but I’d like to rest for a while now. Thanks. Bye.

"winning….."

Soo…..it’s been a craZy, wonderful, blurry-blur month of writing and eating and writing, not washing dishes or clothes and writing and then writing some more. I’ve learned so much about forming habits, patience, discipline and dealing with my silly self-inflicted pressure. 
Now when I can sit back and think about it, it’s really quite an accomplishment to have this pretty, shiny new story that just kind of poured out of me. About five days into the challenge, it was clear to me that THIS was the story I was meant to write this month. Except for one experience (which I refer to as “The 900 word night”), I didn’t struggle much with writers’ block or get too hung up on details and research–which was the whole point of this particular NaNoWriMo challenge. We were meant to just WRITE, let it flow, and worry about details later. My inner-editor never really went away, which was the biggest challenge for me. But I managed to bind and gag her for the most part. She’s very feisty, however. 

I’d like to thank each of you for your support and love this past month.  
I’m already looking forward to next November!

"winning….."

Soo…..it’s been a craZy, wonderful, blurry-blur month of writing and eating and writing, not washing dishes or clothes and writing and then writing some more. I’ve learned so much about forming habits, patience, discipline and dealing with my silly self-inflicted pressure. 
Now when I can sit back and think about it, it’s really quite an accomplishment to have this pretty, shiny new story that just kind of poured out of me. About five days into the challenge, it was clear to me that THIS was the story I was meant to write this month. Except for one experience (which I refer to as “The 900 word night”), I didn’t struggle much with writers’ block or get too hung up on details and research–which was the whole point of this particular NaNoWriMo challenge. We were meant to just WRITE, let it flow, and worry about details later. My inner-editor never really went away, which was the biggest challenge for me. But I managed to bind and gag her for the most part. She’s very feisty, however. 

I’d like to thank each of you for your support and love this past month.  
I’m already looking forward to next November!

Writing Inspirations – starry stars

Why I love Don McLean:
(“The Starry Night,” by Vincent van Gogh)
(clicky-click here to play pretty song) 

Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) 

“For they could not love you
and yet your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
on that starry, starry night
you took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.”

Writing Inspirations – starry stars

Why I love Don McLean:
(“The Starry Night,” by Vincent van Gogh)
(clicky-click here to play pretty song) 

Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) 

“For they could not love you
and yet your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
on that starry, starry night
you took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you.”

Writing Inspirations – The movies, part 2

Why I love The Long, Hot Summer
(1958, story by William Faulkner, starring Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward)

“I am a human being, do you know what that means? It means I set a price on myself, a high, high price. You might be surprised to know it but I have quite a lot to give. I’ve got things I’ve been saving up my whole life. Things like love and understanding and jokes and good times and good cooking. I’m prepared to be the Queen of Sheba for some lucky man or at least the best wife that any man could hope for. That’s my human history.” 
 
“I like life. I like it so much I just might live forever.”

Plus, Paul Newman’s eyes are really blue…..

Writing Inspirations – The movies, part 2

Why I love The Long, Hot Summer
(1958, story by William Faulkner, starring Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward)

“I am a human being, do you know what that means? It means I set a price on myself, a high, high price. You might be surprised to know it but I have quite a lot to give. I’ve got things I’ve been saving up my whole life. Things like love and understanding and jokes and good times and good cooking. I’m prepared to be the Queen of Sheba for some lucky man or at least the best wife that any man could hope for. That’s my human history.” 
 
“I like life. I like it so much I just might live forever.”

Plus, Paul Newman’s eyes are really blue…..