What Is Nanowrite

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

NaNoWriMo is a fun and challenging approach to creative writing. For some, like me, it can be stressful at times, but you have not lived until you have loved, lost, felt rejection, and have stressed … right?

Oh how I hope I am right. :)

It is for ANYONE who has ever thought about writing a novel. Here’s alittle more about how it all works.

On November 1, participants begin working towards their goal. The goal is to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days.

Approximately 1666 words per day.

YIKES! If I were a superstitious person, I would veer far away from the last 3 digits. However, I am not superstitious nor am I meeting my daily word count. :(

I am currently 10,000-words behind, but that is all right because NaNoWriMo is not a race.

Besides, anyone who knows me knows I will not run unless I am being chased, and I have to be scared. :)

NaNoWriMo is much more than a writing challenge. It is an amazing community of friendly people striving toward similar goals. There are pep talks, writing friends (buddy’s), on-line and local write-ins, and so much more. 

For me, it is also a therapeutic and freaking scary adventure!

Since this is my first time attempting the challenge, I wanted it to be a complete month of firsts. Do things I had never done before.

Therefore, I have chosen to write a YA fantasy novel entitled, Imperceptible. 

Why choose that title?

Well, it is my belief that we all (at one time or another) have felt invisible. So why not write about it?

I have attempted YA before; however, the rules consumed me so much that it stifled my creativity. I second-guessed every from the premise to the names of the characters. 

In the end, I could not stand the story.

This time I am writing the story with the rules in mind, but they are not in control.

My characters are. :)

Another first, one character is based off a good friend and loyal reader whom I have yet to meet in person.

We met a few years back on Wattpad. Deepest thanks to the internet and Wattpad for bringing us together!

Another terrifying first is a certain character based off the writer (me). Talk about a painful challenge. I mean … we all have qualities we do not like about ourselves. Add my unusual childhood, and who wouldn’t want to be invisible?

So why write a blog when I am 10,000 words behind and there are only nine left in this challenge?

Well, it’s simple really. I wanted to let you know that I’m still here, I’m still reading and writing, and I wanted to say if you were considering NaNoWriMo.

Go for it!

I hope to see you there next November! Add me to your writing buddy list and we’ll share a few laughs.

Brightest blessings,

)O(  

Milk Does the Body Good

Like any other morning, I shuffled my way down the hall and few stairs, while checking each bedrooms as I passed.

Nice! I thought, The boys went to work with dad, which means I get uninterrupted writing time.

The welcoming silence confirmed it. I was alone.

"Sweet," I whispered and turned on the kettle. 

While prepping my mug, I notice the empty milk jug sitting on the counter. In Canada, we have bagged milk. Knowing fore well it was my youngest, because I recalled him telling me he finished the jug while we were watching Under the Dome, but I did not care.

Nothing was going to ruin my day! It is Tuesday, and I am alone with the voices in my head!  

That's alright, at least 'Kiddo' did not leave an empty jug in the fridge. Kudos, Mom, you trained him right! I mentally praise myself while heading to the fridge.

I search the fridge.

"Darn, guess I'm going shopping today."

I take a bottle of water out of the cupboard and head to my writing area, because NOTHING is going to stop me today!

Now, the OCD in me must do things a certain way. 

 

1) Turn kettle on and prep mug

2) Let dogs outside while waiting for kettle

3) Make tea

4) Take first sip while waiting for dogs to come back in

5) Retrieve bottle of water from cupboard

6) Light candle, say prayer and create ambiance by turning on music or a form of background noise. It is the best way to block traffic and other unwanted interruptions.

7) Emails

8) Updates

9) Write! Until I notice the dust. :(

While reading an email from a fun reader, I am quickly wrapped up into her story, when, suddenly, a man snorts behind me!

No joke!

I literally scream and stumble to my feet. 

That is when Copper (my 140 something pound dog), jumps up from behind my seat while barking and backing into the chair.

It causes a domino effect!
The chair startles him more, he spins back and head-butts the chair, which causes me to back up when the chair crashes into my foot.

"Copper, it's momma!" I shout as I back into the computer stand.

Fact: I am FAR from graceful!

Luckily, I catch my laptop (by the screen) while the stand topples to the ground.  

Copper sees me, and I've see those wide eyes before, they usually occur during thunderstorms.

Damn!

"Wait," I command, while carefully placing my lifeline (laptop) onto the couch and my wide bottom onto the coffee table, which by the way, has wheels.

*shakes head* Smart like dump truck, I know. However (inserts pathetic attempt to defend self), for the record, it was not even seven in the morning!

Copper (the coward) puts his front paws onto my lap, smothers me with kisses and away we go! He takes me for a ride across the living room.

Why did this happen? Well ... yesterday, on Facebook, I foolishly welcomed Monday with open arms and not a darn thing happened! Lesson learned, and I will never welcome Monday until 9:55pm. Clearly, Under the Dome is the only reason to welcome Mondays. 

Because eventually, it will bite you in the Sass. 

Brightest blessings,

)O(

Lucky Rain

Are you superstitious? 

I used think superstitions were silly old wives’ tale that parents used to “scare” their kids into behaving well.

My mother was extremely superstitious, everyday she would chime out some kind of warning or reminder. Below are some that I will never forget. 

☞ An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

☞ If a black cat crosses your path, you will have bad luck.

☞ Break a mirror and you will have bad luck for seven years.

☞ Eat your crust. It is good for you and it is the best part of the bread.

☞ If you eat raw potatoes, you will get worms.

☞ It is bad luck if a bird flies into your house.

☞ Never put new shoes on a table. If you do, you are welcoming death into the   family.

☞ Don’t walk under a ladder.

☞ If you kill a spider, it will rain.

☞ If you spill salt, you must throw some over your left shoulder to avoid bad luck.  

☞ If you swallow your gum, it will stick to your ribs.

☞The number 13 is bad luck. I don’t know why, she never explained it.

☞ Never EVER open an umbrella in the house.

☞ If a bird poops on you, you will have good luck.

 

Why blog about superstitions when I have two deadlines just around the corner?

Last night, while at my son’s football practice, a mom was blessed by a bird. Yep … it pooped on her.  

Immediately, I said, “That’s a sign of good luck.”

Then my mind screamed, Why would I say that? Why is it good? Oh my God, I have become my mother!

For the remainder of practice, I continued to wonder.

❧ How did those superstitions begin?

❧ Who were those old wives’?

❧ And, were they drinking when they started those tales?

Today, I dug a little deeper and found (some) reasonable answers.

The bird bomb is “apparently” a one in a million shot. Nearly the same odds as picking winning lottery numbers.

Did it rain luck or did that bird decide it wanted to be a quarterback and that mom was the receiver?

It makes sense since we were at a football practice. Maybe the bird was wrapped up in the excitement of the scrimmage?

Personally, if it was raining luck, I don’t think it’s the kind of luck I would want. 

I think a horseshoe would be much better than a bird bomb.

That is, as long as the horseshoe is not flying at my head. :)

Which brings me back to my original question, are you superstitious? 

If so ... do you think it was lucky rain, and should that mom buy a lottery ticket?

If it is lucky then oh how I wish my truck could talk and give me the winning numbers. 

The birds have been blessing my truck with luck daily!

Do you recall any "warnings" that are not on the above list? If so, please share.

As always, comments and feedback are welcome with open arms and closed umbrellas (when indoors)!