Yes, it is NaNoWriMo month and there is the usual flurry of activity. Pre-planning, devising ideas, questioning if you should do it or not and the encouragement of the writing community. As I said before this year’s NaNo, for me, has me delving into an unknown genre and the start of a trilogy.
I have booked every Monday off work in November to allow myself extra time to write. This doesn’t normally happen but without the option of taking vacations, this year due to COVID19, I thought my best use of my days would be short writing retreats and extra time in November.
My first writing day, Sunday, was a super day. I had the house to myself, apart from the dogs, so indulged in writing for most of the day. Apart from several dog walks, and the occasional snack! My total for the day was 14,558. And at the time, I was super happy with that.
However, the next day doubts began to creep in. Had I given too many clues or sited too many suspects within those 14K words? This halted my writing. Should I re-start or continue? As we all know NaNo writing is just the first draft of a manuscript, so I shook off the doubts and returned to the story. Last night’s total was 16,951.
I may have to dissect this novel in the New Year, but for now I will enjoy the journey my characters are taking me on.
Are your participating in NaNoWriMo? What is your project?
None of us can escape the barrage of information on this devastating virus and it’s effects. Our priorities are to ensure we are practicing social distancing, self isolation (if needed) and to help those in our community that are most vulnerable.
So instead, I am sharing a small post today to inform you that the planned Book Lovers Weekend, I was to attend on 21st & 22nd March in Jasper, Alberta has been cancelled along with many other events. It will be rescheduled in time and I hope to read at that time.
I ask if you can please purchase (or download from your library) a local author’s book and show some love during this time, many will lose the opportunity to read and share.
In the meantime as the hotel and vacation time was already booked, my friend Linda and I will use the four days as a mini writing retreat in Jasper. For writers extra time to write is a blessing, although in this case we would rather have had the opportunity to share our stories. I will utilize the weekend to edit a friend’s manuscript and my own steampunk novel and enjoy the peace and tranquility of nature in Jasper’s National Park. It is a place we regularly visit and every time it is different with animal sightings, weather changes and the expanse of mountainous terrain.
Let me know what you are reading and the last book review you made – remember your pledge.
I am still reading this incredible story, some is hard to read considering the conditions the plantation workers endured but the characters are well balanced and believable.
Take care and remember you can escape into a narrative at any time.
This year I celebrate a decade of writing. It was not something my creative brain discovered until I came to Canada. Throughout my younger life art was my main creative outlet, whether it was painting, collage, pottery, sculpture, textiles, knitting, sewing, and many more. I would spend my lunch hours in the art room at school rather than in the playground, it was my happy place. From creating abstract art in a multiple of mediums to utilizing fabric remnants found at Liberty’s of London for summer tops, I indulged my creativity.
This changed as I began adult life and my creative outlets ceased as I entered the workforce and socialized with my peers and then had children. I dappled in rug design without success and although I was gifted an easel one Christmas and attended an art class for a short time, I just didn’t have the time or motivation. It was only when I came to Canada and there was an opportunity to find a creative outlet that I made the decision to find one. I stumbled across the writing group, The Writers Foundation of Strathcona County (https://www.wfscsherwoodpark.com/ ) by pure chance on a trip to the local library and decided to attend a meeting. From that point on I found my ‘place’ and began to learn a new skill, one which has given me not just a group of firm and supportive friends but also allowed me to discover my new country, as well as attend numerous events and a connection to many other writers from home and further afield.
Now I have eight published books and three work in progress manuscripts (and numerous ideas filed) and there is no slow down in sight for my writing passion. It has gripped me and I am so happy I ‘found’ my creative life again.
Not only have I written novels but also participated in National Novel Writing Month a total of ten times, attended numerous writing retreats and workshops, presented at workshops, started a freelance writing business (https://tailoredthemedtosuit.wordpress.com/ ) and became Secretary to my writers group. I am truly immersed in the writing life and am so glad I braved that first writing group meeting.
Apologies everyone, I did not post yesterday! It has been a super busy week (month so far). The items on my list seem to continue to grow.
Firstly, I have been promoting the launching of the sequel to my fantasy romance, Rython Legacy, I have proofed the finished product and ordered printed copies for Words in the Park on 28th September.
In addition as secretary of the hosting group, of said event, I have been replying and supplying promotional materials for the vendor applications. And contacting new authors to invite them to attend.
I went on a super four day writing retreat road trip to Lloydminster and discovered a new part of Canada as well as increased the word count on my steampunk novel by 12,440 words – happy author!
The next few weeks will be just as busy:
Board meeting to finalize planning of the event 10th September
Road trip with my daughter 14th & 15th September
Road trip and attendance at Word on the Street, Lethbridge 21st September (another long weekend as I will add the Friday & Monday for writing and exploring).
Preparation and mock ups for my tables at the event to show case all my books (8 in all)
Words in the Park 28th September
This doesn’t include twice weekly aquasize/walking and ‘normal’ life chores etc LOL
How’s your month shaping up?
Are you going to a book event? Why not share the details?
Today’s question is: Some writers create a bubble around themselves until they’re finished with their project – how true is that in your case?
For me, once I am writing/crafting a story the outside world disappears. I am within that world of my own creation and all external forces are forgotten. As I write the scenes play like a movie in my head, I experience the characters and their struggles.
How about you? Do you need to lock yourself away, go somewhere in particular or can immerse yourself in your story no matter where?
Last week’s question. What books do you keep for sentimental reasons?
I shared mine in the post and Pamela shared her love of Pinocchio.
The Adventures of Pinocchio. From the first time my mother read it to me, I was hooked on the little guy. His devotion to his father touched my heart like no other character in any book. I have a collection of at least 10 Pinocchio books in both English and Italian, and each is a bit different due to the various translators. And to add to my Pinocchio fixation, I have quite a collection of Pinocchio puppets, dolls, and figurines scattered around the house. They never fail to make me smile.
The Adventures of Pinocchio. From the first time my mother read it to me, I was hooked on the little guy. His devotion to his father touched my heart like no other character in any book. I have a collection of at least 10 Pinocchio books in both English and Italian, and each is a bit different due to the various translators. And to add to my Pinocchio fixation, I have quite a collection of Pinocchio puppets, dolls, and figurines scattered around the house. They never fail to make me smile.