Category: Preambles to Writing

NaNoWriMo word count update

It’s not looking good for winning NaNo this year if you consider I have five days in which to complete, but at least I made it just past 10000 words tonight.

I didn’t get as much writing done today as I would have liked, but I was distracted (sure do have a hard time with that!) … and I spent quality time with Dad. He would have said, “You go write!” but that’s not fair to him so I set my writing aside and we worked on word puzzles and a jigsaw puzzle together. It has been an exceptionally good week thus far, for which I’m thankful.

I would continue writing more on my NaNo novel tonight but it is past midnight and I think I hear my pillow calling me.

In case you didn’t notice, I added a new blog page called NaNoWriMo Updates (2011) on which I am keeping track of my progress.  (Note the pretty badges I am awarding myself as I go along.) I have been the tortoise in this event, but I’m hoping to morph into the hare near the end and win this challenge – and thereby finish my novel. We shall see what happens. 🙂

Thanks for reading, and believing in me … and Creative Musings!  🙂

Distractions, distractions .. umm, what was I doing?

Just a little sidetrack here. Of course. I am supposed to be NaNo writing.

But ..

did I ever mention I think my middle name was supposed to be ‘Procrastination’ with a nickname of ‘Distracted’?  Yes, it is true. I procrastinate. No surprise, if you know me at all.

And look at what I found at http://badger.dinorodeo.com/

 

 

 

 

Yep! That’s me, like a moth to a flame.

Is the computer on, did someone comment on my blog? write me an email? tweet something interesting?

Is there another appealing book close by to read? A website to visit? a link to check out? a new post to read on someone’s blog that I follow .. or that someone tweets about? (I’d hate to miss something good.)

Is a friend waiting to chat?

Oh dear.

Like a moth to a flame.

Now, what was I was doing?

NaNoWriMo!

Oh, wait! Someone just tweeted me a recipe for …

oh yeah.  distractions, distractions.

NaNo novel, here I come!

How about you? Do you ever have this problem?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings.  🙂

 

My embarrassing NaNoWriMo confession

It started out with the right thought – that since I ‘won’ in NaNo last year I should try to finish my novel started last year.  Reasonable, right?

And since I kept a running update last year, posting every day for the month of November to keep my readers informed of my progress – and to keep myself motivated – it seemed right that I should do the same thing this year. Makes sense, right?

Problem.

Last year I knew believed I could do it. I was determined stubborn determined enough to keep at it so that I DID do it. This year my motivation is not the same, but I do have a goal — to finish writing my 2010 NaNo novel.

Interruptions Procrastination got in the way took over.  Well, that’s a little harsh, Lynn, don’t you think? Life happens. … tap tap tap … oh alright! I didn’t take it on with the same sense of motivation this time. There, I said it. I let myself fail flounder face plant.  (And, yes, I talk to myself give myself pep talks.)

Okay, here’s the thing. If I keep an ongoing record showing my progress lack of adequate progress in 2011 NaNo, I will both embarrass myself and risk being a disappointment to anyone possibly believing in me. (um, is there really anyone out there fitting that description?) *sigh* It really is not that hard. All you do is write!  Right?

Who am I kidding? When one’s muse just doesn’t want to play, then … it’s not happening!  (yes, okay, when one does not commit whole-heartedly to the project it is already doomed at serious risk.)

So, what to do? It is in the early hours of day 25 of NaNoWriMo 2011. I am ashamed embarrassed to admit that I have enough words written to equal a tally for day … 5.  (hangs head) Yep, day 5.

Want to read something really funny? Here are my stats on my NaNo page, especially note the estimated date of completion:

Your Average Per Day .. 363

Words Written Today .. 1,321

Target Word Count .. 50,000

Target Average Words Per Day .. 1,667

Total Words Written .. 8,722

Words Remaining .. 41,278

Current Day .. 24

Days Remaining .. 7

At This Rate You Will Finish On .. March 16, 2012   <— Hilarious! 🙂

Words Per Day To Finish On Time .. 5,897   <– Yikes!

I. am. in. trouble.  (note to self, don’t write that way often, it disturbs some writers.)   I am in trouble.

So, what to do? Easy. Just WRITE!

Get some sleep, then write. nap, then write. do what you have to do, then WRITE WRITE WRITE.

The crazy thing is, I still believe I can do this! Isn’t that crazy? And I am going to make a new page for my 2011 NaNoWriMo progress report. Now THAT is crazy motivating, but ..

I. am. going. to. try.  (oops! refer to note to self above.)

If I manage to complete with 50000 words, please don’t expect to hear from me for awhile. I will be celebrating sleeping.  😉

Comments, anyone?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

I’m a NaNo Rebel

Yes, you read that correctly. I’m a NaNo Rebel.

Last year, November 2010, I participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and met the goal of 50,000 words, going over by about 265 or so.  I started with nothing and got the main part of a novel written .. if it can be edited to be suitable as one, that is. I even kept track here on my blog by making daily reports.  This year, although my available time has changed considerably, I decided to try again – but as a Rebel.

What’s a NaNo Rebel, you ask? Someone who is participating in NaNoWriMo and bending the rules a bit. (There is actually a category for rebels, so it’s not considered cheating.) Instead of starting from scratch I am picking up where I stopped last year with the purpose of finishing the story I left unfinished. I ‘won’ last year by writing over 50000 words, but the story itself has not been completed. I would like to finish it during this year’s challenge, otherwise I may never get back to it.

You also may wonder how I am doing this time. Not well, I’m sorry to say. I got off to a slow start, not writing anything until day 7, and then I wrote less than 500 words. That is not good at all, seeing as by that time I should have had over 11000 words down. The ideal is to write 1667 words a day, so for day 22 (today) I should have over 36600 words written, but .. you guessed it! I’m nowhere near that number. I have over 5000 words written but much less than where it should be at this late date in the 30 days allotted.  I’m in big trouble if I want to ‘win’ NaNoWriMo this time. Or should I see it as a HUGE challenge and try to get ‘er done anyway?

I also am again participating in PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month) and have several more than the 22 ideas needed by this date. I’m not worried there, but I believe that I have fewer really good ideas this year. A scarce few of those may make good picture books, but I’m sort of pulling them from the bottom of the barrel, it seems.

I’m wondering if the way I have to divide my life now is what’s making the difference. My muse is not sure when to come out to play anymore. 🙂

Oh, well, I will keep plugging away at it.

Are you taking part in NaNoWriMo this year? Do you try any other writing challenges?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

 

Birthdays and Blessings

(I have tried to post this since November 17 but WP was not working properly for me at home! Trying on other computer, so please keep in mind the time is not accurate now.)

Yesterday – November 16 – was my birthday. Do I look any older to you?
I didn’t have a big party, but I did enjoy dinner out with my sister and my dad.

I didn’t sink into a depression, either; I’ve learned that that doesn’t solve anything.

I just quietly grew one day older, but that one day stepped me over into a new year of my life.
Another opportunity to live better, do more, try harder, dream bigger … and grow another year older.

Yesterday and today I heard from a few friends and family members with greetings by phone calls, Skype, text messages, and emails. Being remembered is heart-warming. One friend, upon realizing he was a day late, wished me a happy un-birthday, my first of this new year of my life! 🙂 I enjoyed a few cards via Canada Post, and I received a few gifts which added the fun factor.

Have I changed in that one day, the day that marks the number of years I have been permitted thus far? Not really. I’m still wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, caregiver, … blogger and all those other things.
I’m still weary, I’m still trying to do more than I have the energy to do well, I’m still hopeful that I will write something meaningful enough to make a difference, I still deeply love the same people who are precious to me, I still learn something new nearly every day no matter how small, I still plan to do the occasional adventurous thing such as sky-dive, and I continue my walk with the Lord and hope for His plan for me to be fulfilled.
In short, that one day was simply a continuation of my life with a few fun extras tucked in – and with no regrets. Another day of blessings.

Am I getting older? of course! But I like to think I’m also getting better. One can hope.

Do you do anything special to celebrate your birthdays? What is your perspective on the whole ‘aging thing’?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

the New 7Wonders of Nature: vote for Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy

Have you heard of the ‘new 7 Wonders of Nature‘ campaign?

 

The Bay of Fundy (Nova Scotia) is Canada’s only finalist among the twenty-eight vying for recognition as one of the new 7 Wonders of Nature.  If you have never seen the Bay of Fundy – I have to tell you that you are missing something unique and incredible – and you really must include it in your vacation plans.

We have the highest tides in the world here, five to ten times higher than anywhere else in the world! Did you know that the amount of water in one tide cycle that comes in and out of the Bay of Fundy is enough to fill and empty the Grand Canyon? Imagine it! The tide can go from high to low in only six hours and thirteen minutes! And it cycles twice a day.

Twelve different species of whales live in the Bay of Fundy. Ever go whale watching? If you come to Nova Scotia to see the Bay of Fundy you shouldn’t leave out a good whale watching expedition.

Fossil discoveries made here have surpassed those in other areas of the world. This and other amazing facts which you really must read, can be found here:  http://www.votemyfundy.com/about-bay-of-fundy/

I am always in awe over the Bay since I love everything about the ocean — the tides, the salty and seaweed smell, the power, its aquatic life.  The ocean is my healing place. It is restorative, terrifyingly wondrous, my place to sense the power of God like in no other way.

Please, I would appreciate it if you would go to http://www.votemyfundy.com and place your vote for the Bay of Fundy to become one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Voting time ends November 11.  Once you’ve done that, make plans to come to Nova Scotia to experience the wonder and beauty and awe of an amazing wonder of nature. Then you’ll see why I love it here. 🙂

What wonderful stories do you have to tell about this amazing wonder of Nature, or perhaps any others of the 28 finalists?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Book Giveaway reminder

This short post is a friendly reminder of the book giveaway I’m offering on November 12, courtesy of Red Deer Press.

Please refer to my October 22 post and read my review of A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk – an amazing story written by Jan L. Coates.

Then, following my October 28 interview with Jan, you have the opportunity to win a copy of A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk by leaving a comment.

Please be sure to let others know about this, too, and get the word out about this heralded novel. Tweet about it, mention it on Facebook and in your own blog .. use your imagination to get the word out there!  I know Jan will appreciate the publicity for Jacob.  Don’t know who Jacob is? Read my blog October 22 and October 28 posts. 😉

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂