Hemingway is reputed to have said, write drunk, edit sober. From my experience with NaNoWriMo the past eight years, I’ve got a different take on this. Writing provides its own type of high, with unexpected dangers – hence, driving under the influence of writing! Driving Under the Influence of Writing I thought of this while […]
Read More
The most wonderful time of the year is near. No, not Christmas, but November–National Novel Writing Month. A time when writers throughout the world attempt to write 50,000 words. What’s even better, there is no failing NaNoWriMo. My Experience with NaNoWriMo I was first introduced to NaNoWriMo seven years ago. At the time I had […]
Read More
Don’t you love it when writing takes you to unexpected places? This is certainly the case for the novel I started for NaNoWriMo 2019. Josie It started several years back when I went to the library for a writers’ round-table, expecting, duh, a round-table discussion. The previous month had been a presentation by a local […]
Read More
As part of NaNoWriMo this year, I spent five days writing at a friend’s house in Pentwater, Michigan. I find the change of space and place essential to clear my head and help me focus. After this time I can usually continue what I started with a renewed energy when I return home. While there […]
Read More
NaNoWriMo 2018 is done. I now have 52,501 words as the basis for book eight of my Dancing through Life series. It’s a wonder to me that I made it, as ill-prepared as I was going into the month. There’s something about having a public goal and knowing so many other writers have that same […]
Read More
It’s NaNoWriMo time! Time to sharpen those pencils if you are old-school, or prepare to hit that keyboard to write 50,000 words in one month. Earlier this week I wrote about the reasons why I love November in my post, Season of Gratitude. To those reasons I add NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month. Past […]
Read More
Now doesn’t that sound more celebratory than a chicken dinner? That’s how we celebrate in my family! Steaks, preferably rare and cooked on a grill. On Wednesday at 5p.m. I entered the winner’s circle, having completed my 50,000 words for the NaNoWriMo challenge. The novel isn’t done yet. I have at least another 5,000 to […]
Read More
This is how I NaNoWriMo. A large latte and an Egg McMuffin and I’m good for a three hour stint of writing at McDonalds. I was able to get my favorite booth, one where I can sit with my back to everyone else in the fast-food chain and look out the window. I can usually […]
Read More
To NaNo, or not to NaNo–that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous publishers, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And put an end to them by not writing. . . ‘Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished. (adapted from Hamlet’s monologue) […]
Read More
A while back, Peter DeHahn posted in his blog about his experience with NaNoWriMo and the advantages of writing a book in one month. I agree with what he wrote. I wrote the first three books of my Dancing Through Life series in three consecutive years for NaNoWriMo. It was great fun, focusing on this […]
Read More
