Job Searching, Writing, and Sometimes Revision

Page two of my own ELEVEN revision notes.
(Picture intentionally blurry!)

Hello everybody!

As you may or may not know, I recently moved to California. I came out here to follow my dreams and to become a big name! (Just kidding. I moved here because I needed to get out of Illinois and my sister lives here with my brother-in-law.)

I thought I was ready for the real world when I was still in school, but now that I'm in it, I'm pretty much falling apart. Okay, well, I wouldn't say that, but I am stressed! I've applied to so many jobs, I've lost count! Because of all the time I've been working on applying to jobs, my writing has taken a back seat. Now, that doesn't meant I've stopped writing! I am definitely still writing! It's just not as much as I'd like to be.

I recently beta-ed my second Nano book to a friend. When I got it back, I had SEVEN single-spaced pages of revision notes. That's not including all the comments actually made ON the manuscript. After reading through them, I agreed with almost all of the notes/suggests/please-change-this-now's. So that's what I've been working on. It's not going to be done as fast as I had originally hoped, but it's coming along.

What's nice, and interesting, about another person looking at your work is, it bring a whole new light to your story. I realized things about my characters I wasn't even aware of. I fixed melodramatic story elements, that originally, I thought were perfect.

For instance, the ending of my manuscript ended in a HUGE way. In fact, it was the original thing I thought up in my mind that my story was based around. (Let's say it involves a crash and public transportation.) It was melodramatic and over the top, but it was the first thing I had ever thought up for this story.

When my friend read it, the only note she put was "Are you serious?" and I knew, deep down, that it was no longer right for the story I was trying to tell. Yes, my entire story grew around this incident, but there was something I hadn't noticed. My story had outgrown it. My story was so much more than that incident now.

So I cut it.

And my story has never looked better.

Inspiration: Las Vegas

picture owned by smemon

Hello all!

I hope all of your holiday's out there were great. This year I spent my Christmas Eve and Christmas in the great Las Vegas. If you have never been there, you should definitely go some day. It's a beautiful town and the atmosphere is amazing.

What's really awesome about Vegas is the inspiration that just oozes out of the town. That's what I want to talk about. Inspiration. Shiny new ideas as the people on AbsoluteWrite call them! While walking down the Strip I saw a man in a mask on top of a bridge and in the flash of the neon lights, the man disappeared. And with that, a shiny new idea came to my mind!

It's funny really how this stuff just comes up in the middle of no where. I want to hear about when weird ideas come up to you. Let me know, because I find it interesting. One of my creative writing teachers once told my class that writers see the world in a different way. The kid part of us never goes away and we never stop day dreaming. So tell me some times when you thought of story ideas!

Also, I start editing my novel from nano last year. Well, started again. For a while I was tired of it, I didn't want to look at it anymore. But my love is back and I'm getting it done!

P.S. In case you were wondering, I did stay in the Paris hotel, but that is not my picture.

Finish Nano: Check

owned by Nano

Hello all of you out there.

As you can see from the banner above, I have won Nano! I ended up finishing the novel too, clocking in at almost 51 thousand. I'm very excited about this. I've now finished two novels! I will say, however, they are both far from being done and ready to be sent out.

It's exciting to have finished though. I now have two novels under my belt! It still baffles my mind to think about. I struggled a lot this month with school work and what not, and it's nice to have been able to finish this along with so many other tasks.

This leads into my next topic point. I've been neglecting this blog a lot this month. Last year I posted multiple times almost every week. I think this year I have one other post. However, that will change. I am done with all of my hard school work for this semester, minus one ten page paper. I will have much more time to write and reach out to others. I also plan on starting up on Road Trip Wednesdays again (run by YA Highway). 

I'm very excited for what's coming up! I hope you'll tune in too! And tell me, how was your Nano? Did you finish the 50k? Did you love what you wrote? Did you hate it? Talk to me!

also owned by nano

And in the spirit of finishing Nano, here is an excerpt from mine! This year's was a YA Contemporary.

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               I watch him close his eyes and hum, tilting his head towards the sky a little bit. With the sun shining on his hair it looks almost white. “Thatch,” I say, my voice barely audible over the music. He looks at me and smiles. “I do like you.” He slowly walks over to me and stands a couple of feet in front of me. “I just... I need time.”

               He smiles again and puts his arms around me, pulling me close to him. “Dance with me.”

               “Right here?” I ask, looking into his eyes.

               “Why not?” he says, smiling again.

               He pulls me closer into him and I wrap my arms around his neck, wresting my head on his chest. I feel the heat radiating off of him and for the first time in months, I feel whole.

Falling Behind During Nano

So I write this for reasons that are obvious in the title. I'm falling behind in my WIP. When I first started I took off. I was ahead, and I mean really ahead, of the game! I thought I was going to cruise through this nano (click here to figure out what you're missing) like no other!

It only took a day or two of being busy with other things (like one of my two jobs, my internship, or my classwork) to fall behind. At the end of today, which is technically Sunday, I need to be at 16,666. As of right now I'm at 12,688. So yeah, this is happening.

I know that doesn't sound like a lot, and some of you reading this might even say I could catch up tomorrow, but the thing is there are other things in life that take up our time. Tomorrow night I'm working, and I have other work to do on my floor (RA PROBLEMS!) andddd I have to work on my final projects for class, seeing as finals are coming up.

I'm not feeling overwhelmed yet, but we'll see how this month pans out. I haven't given up hope yet. Last year I was behind for a majority of the time and then over the course of a day or two I just lost my mind and finished that dang word count!

But as of right now, I'm feeling like Michael Scott.

How are you doing on your word count? Are you nervous? Happy? Brag or vent in a comment!

Pantser or Planner?

My ideas notebook!

As I'm sure a lot of you know, Nano is coming up (CLICK HERE TO LEARN) and for a while my story idea was struggling. I actually completely changed what my idea was going to be from the last time I posted a blog post. Speaking of which, my blog posting will get better this next month. It's something I do to distract myself from nano, so expect a lot more updates!

Anyway, I was completely freaking out because I finally got my two main characters in my head, and even some side characters, but I had not yet decided when my conflict was going to be. Last year I had been planning my novel in my head for months, so I was definitely a planner. I knew almost every scene that was going to happen, or some variation of it. I knew what I wanted to happen. This year, it looks like I'm going to be a pantser. 

Now there is an in between the two which is a percolator, I believe that's what they called it, and I guess I could be considered that. The notebook in the picture above has some brief outlines of events I want to happen or could potentially happen. Nothing is definite.

Either way, not being a planner is an extremely scary idea to someone like me! I like to have things planned out! I like to know when something is going to happen and how it's going to happen and I even plan out every ending in my head just so I have some vague idea of all the possibilities. 

But I guess trying out something new will be a good exercise for me. Pushing my boundaries might actually help me grow as a writer, so that's a plus. I'm just worried that by pantsing it, most of it will be crap because it'll be stuff I spewed out just to get word count. I want something to work with by the end of the month.

This fear is struck deep inside me. What do all of you out there do when you write? Do you plan every detail? And if not how do you calm that organization monster inside you?

Nano Creeping Up

owned by Nanowrimo!

This year has been extremely busy for me. As soon as school started I felt like I got sucked into a whirlpool! I honestly feel like I'm running around like a chicken with its head cut off, but hey, that happens to everyone every now and then, right?

The past couple of months I've seen up's and down's in my life that I never in a million years could have imagined. With those up's and down's came extreme sacrifices and decisions that I never thought I would have to face.

But, we're trucking through!

As many of you know, or should know!, Nanowrimo is just around the corner! People will come together, and freak out together, as they try to push a novel out of them in just one short month. It can be a hard and daunting task, but when you finally finish it, it's exhilarating!

For a while I thought I wasn't going to be able to do it. I thought that my life was crazy and hectic and adding one more thing would just make my entire life fall apart. However, recently I've relieved some of that stress that's been holding me back and I think I'm going to jump back into Nano this year. Last year was my first year participating, and winning!, and the feeling of actually doing it made me want to cry and jump around with joy!

I can't give that up. Especially when life is so stressful! I know that when I finally do complete Nano this year, I'll be happy! It's something to look forward to!

Did anyone else have second thoughts about Nano this year?

Editing and Scrivener

Hello all! How are you today? Grand I hope!

It stormed really bad here (Southern Illinois) last night and I know it stormed bad in a lot of other places too. So, I hope everyone out there stayed safe through the night!

On a lighter note, lately I've been editing my novel (and by lately I mean I've been doing it more adamantly after taking a break after Nano). This is only my first read through and I'm editing it from past to present tense, which is proving to be more difficult than I originally thought.

I've done about 20 thousand words and I have about 45 thousand words left to edit. And this is only my first read/editing! I haven't even added in the, at least two or three, scenes I want to add in. This editing process is no joke people! I'm sure most of you already know that though.

My question is, you people out there, do you use Word, Scrivener, etc. to edit your novel? Right now I'm using Word but I have only read good things about Scrivener, and to me it seems to be the most widely used by writers. I have also read it has an insanely long tutorial that most people skip. I am interested in buying Scrivener but I'm not sure if it's worth the money!

At least it has a cool logo!

Are there any other editing programs out there that are, in your opinion, worth looking into? I'm open minded and willing to look at new ones, just have to inform me!

Also, with getting closer to being half way done with my first edit, the idea of a query pops in my head. Yes, yes, I know that I still have a long time before I should even be worrying about it, but hey! A boy can dream! The idea of a query also freaks me out! Namely because I've read online that if an agent passes on a query, it's a general rule not to query them on the same project, even if the query is different. What if all the agents hate it!? I guess it'll just be time to move onto the next project, eh?

Anyway, what do you people out there use to edit? How do you go about writing a query and not being so stressed/scared?. Let me know your secrets!

Can I Get a Minute?

Short answer? No.

Here's a cool looking clock! Owned by ToniVC

It seems as if writers never have enough time in the day. I have made, what I would like to consider, a close friend through NaNo. Funny thing is, it was after NaNo had ended. We have been talking and one major thing that seems to be reoccurring between the two of us is our complaint of not enough time.

I have talked to other writers, through my classes and what not, and it seems as if this is a problem that stretches across every kind of writer, be it poetry, short story, novelist, etc. It seems as if we want to get writing done, we have to sacrifice something. Sometimes it's relationships, or a social life, sometimes even sleep.

So what is it that writers can do to get more done? I won't give advice, because I've tried it and I don't feel as if I am experienced enough to give out advice. However, what I will do, is put some things down that I do.

Let's say I have a free hour. Instead of watching TV I'll try, and I say try because sometimes TV wins, and write. As long as I get something out, I'm writing. And when I'm really worried about missing TV, I just watch it while on the elliptical at the gym. (I did it this morning, it was great. Dance Academy for the win!)

That's just one thing I try and do; write whenever I can. I'm sure all of you have something that helps you. Share in the comments and let people know what you do, maybe you'll really help someone out!

Life After NaNo

Picture of me and Princess Bubblegum

Above is what my life has been since NaNo has ended. I've been writing a little bit, but not nearly as much as I should be! We had a new rule sprung on us that basically told us we had to have all of our stuff ready for the next 'phase' at work. A bunch of blah stuff that you don't care about!

So let's go back to writing. I have been reading Veronica Roth's blog (HERE) lately, and she makes me feel... inadequate I guess is the best word. She's only a few years older than me and yet, she has an agent, publisher, movie deal, and is on her third book to be published. I know I'm young, and she is young for what she has, but still, it makes you feel like you aren't doing as much as you should.

I have tried getting things published in the past, through my school's literary magazine, and just literary magazines I've found through Poets and Writers (Here). The life of a writer is full of rejections, I know that, but damn, they really mean it! One day, I know I will get my first 'yes' and it will be amazing, but until then, what am I doing with my writers career?

Sorry if this depressed you, I don't mean to. This is more of a pondering of life post. I guess what I'm saying is, I need to kick myself into gear.

What do you guys, and gals, do when you need to pick up the memento?

End of a Road, Beginning of Another

Photo by amanky

Even though NaNo is over, and it was a tough road, we have to keep going. We writers need to find a new road to work on, or go back and fill in those over looked potholes!

I'd like to say I would like to apologize for this being late! But on the plus side, NaNo is over for all of you participating! You either achieved word count or not, there is no going back. All of you that tried are winners though, just remember that!

I got my word count, a day early, might I add! ;) Anyway, I promised that I would give an explanation about what my novel is about and an excerpt. So here it goes.

BY THE WAY! This is a rough draft, I have not yet even looked back over it. So if it is terrible, or has lots of punctuation and spelling mistakes, ignore those. This is just for a fun read!

Synopsis: Fiona wants nothing more than to live her life with her sister after her mother died and her father went missing. However, late one night a group of cloaked figures come and kidnap her from their remote cabin home. Fiona, wanting to hold on to the last shred of the family she has, goes on a journey across the wilderness that is left after the War that is plagued with vampires, harpies, mermaids, and things she's never even heard of. As Fiona goes searching for her sister, she starts to learn things about her father that she doesn't want to believe. Along the journey things around her start to happen that she can't explain. As her friends seem to start to turn against her, she has to decide who she will remain loyal with and who she has to leave behind.

Excerpt:

            I started to take a step forward, glass crunching under my foot. I stopped as a wolf rounded the corner. I quickly shrank against the wall. “It's a werewolf.” I started breathing heavily, thinking about my encounter with the werewolf I had run into in the forest. “These bullets won't do anything,” I said, starting to panic. Adler stepped out in front of me. “Adler don't!' I hissed, trying to reach out for him.

           He whistled, causing the werewolf to snap its head up to look at him. It growled and bent its front legs, ready to pounce. It jumped at him. I screamed and ran forward right as Adler put up his arm and a loud bang went off. The bullet hit the werewolf right between the eyes. The force of it blew it back a few feet. It immediately shifted back to a human. The boy looked like he could only be fifteen or sixteen.

           I ran over to Adler who was standing with his arm to his side. “How did you know it was a silver bullet?”

          Adler smirked. “Rhett told me.”

          Little tingles ran down my arms. I punched his arm as hard as I could but he didn't flinch. “You couldn't have told me?”

          He shrugged and gave me an innocent looking smile. “I was going to, but I figured, first one, I had to have a little fun with you.”

          I rolled my eyes. “Winnie, come on.” I nodded my head in the direction we had to go. We got to the broken window and I peered out. Some of the buildings were on fire. I didn't understand how at first until I saw some people running around, throwing bottles with flaming rags stuffed into them at buildings.

          “What the hell are they doing?” Adler asked as he looked over my shoulder.

          “They must be with the werewolves. Come on.” I turned the corner and started running in the other direction of the people with the fire.

          “Fi, what if they get Rhett's book store.” I stopped suddenly. I couldn't just leave Rhett to die. I closed my eyes, trying to decide what to do when I found myself turning around and running towards the people with the flaming bottles.

          “Hey! You!” I started screaming and waving my arms, trying to get their attention. They all looked at me once and smiled. They started running towards me and I stopped, feeling the two boys on either side of me. Mid run they jumped and shifted, turning into werewolves. “Adler get ready!” I screamed, holding the hand gun with two hands, aiming it at one of them. “Come on,” I whispered. I needed them to get close enough so I wouldn't miss. There were only three. Hopefully I could take down two, or Adler could.

___________________________________________________

So that was my excerpt. Let me know what you think about it. What I could change and what not. Any feedback is appreciated!!

I hope all of you writers out there keep up! (And keep up on reading my blog in the upcoming months!)

Set My Sight On You (What to do Post NaNo)

My favorite mug and writing place!

I talked in my last post about NaNo and what not, today's will be similar, but slightly different. As I sat thinking about NaNo and what it has made me into, a writer that actually writes every single, I wondered what I had in store for myself after NaNo is over. I will no longer have a word count to put in. I will no longer HAVE to write every day to meet a goal.

And then two things hit me.

1.My story isn't even close to being completed. I will have a lot of writing left in front of me once NaNo is over just to finish the skeletal outline I have of my story.
2.I need to keep writing every day. Whether or not it's little ramblings, writing is what I love to do. Just because NaNo is over, doesn't mean that I can just stop now and wait for next year.

Let's start with number one. My story is something that I am deeply attached to. It is a story that had been swimming around in my head that I just couldn't seem to get out. So now that NaNo got me to write out the story, I can't imagine just leaving it behind. (This kind of overlaps with two actually.)

No offense what-so-ever to the NaNo-ers this pertains to. This is only how I feel about my story so if this offends you I'm sorry! I read a lot on the forums and have noticed that a lot of NaNo writers are rewritting their stories this year from last year. I personally can't imagine just abandoning the story I have started for next year. I want to nurse it and help it grow to become the story I think it can be. I don't want to forget about my story until next year, it's just not how I want to go about this.

So as I sit here with my cup of pumpkin tea (surprisingly it's black tea, not orange) and I ponder my life and what is to come, I am hopeful. My story will blossom with time, as long as I give it the time it deserves. Who knows, hopefully one day it will get a book deal. I mean, it is the name of my blog after all and if I never make it to Author, it's all been a shame! ;)

P.S. I know I said in my last blog post that I would be talking about my story and what not and putting in an excerpt, but the motivation to post this overcame me. I then thought about it and decided that to end NaNo I will post all that on the 30th.

P.S.S. This is not just a blog for NaNo, in case you haven't read my earlier blog posts. I will be writing still, it just happens that with NaNo happening this month, it is heavily revolving around it. So make sure you keep coming back for more!

The End Is Near

Hello fellow NaNo-ers. The month is winding down, as well as our word count. I am still a little bit behind (about 2 thousand words or so) but I've been pushing myself these last couple days and I have managed to plow through and write a ton. I know it's not a masterpiece, and I know I will have to write more after NaNo to finish the story I want to tell, but I will successfully complete NaNo.

It's weird to think about what I will do after November. I mean, I've been writing every single day trying to achieve this and once it's achieved... well it's done. I have plans of editing it and what not but I won't have the same community that I had during NaNo. If anyone out there reading this knows of any communities or writers, or things like NaNo that go on all year, please let me know so I can join in on the fun!

On a bright note, I ran across a fellow NaNo writer on the Artisans board and found someone to make me a cover.

Cover!!! By This amazing person =]

Sorry if I credited you wrong and you want it a different way, let me know!

Anyway, now that I have a cover to my work, it makes it all feel so much more real. When writing a story I have this idea of what I want it to look like and this cover capture it perfectly. It made me all giddy to see it and I sent it to all of my friends. I just like to think that maybe one day my book will actually be on a shelf out there.

Also, I realized I haven't once talked about what my story is actually about so I'm thinking maybe tomorrow or the next day I will create a post that will basically just talk about my story, the characters, ideas, an excerpt maybe, things like that.

I wanted to give some advice to those out there that think they can't finish, or are having a hard time finishing, but I'm afraid I'm giving advice when I have no room to. I guess all I can say is, don't give up. You can finish, no matter what you think. If you are determined to finish your story, and you want to get it out, then get it out.

Just remember this, don't let any number tell you you've won. All of you out there that have written anything at all have won. You have taken that step that many writers out there can't. You put pen to paper. (Or fingers to keyboard, typewriter if you're really old school.) You're getting your idea out. Also remember, don't be afraid to let your idea be heard. Let your story out.

Thanks(?)Giving(!)

awesome creativness goes to martha_chapa95

Every NaNo-er (or any variation you go by) must go through the same thing as every other participant (except those crazy over achievers that are done with their 50k within the first week). The dilemma I refer to is that of Thanksgiving (DUN DUN DUNNNNN!).

Now, whether or not you believe in Thanksgiving for any numerous reasons (something I will not get into on this post), a majority of people spend some time doing something on this day. Another problem is, if you're already behind (like me) this can be a major problem.

I spent about four hours at my grandparents house just thinking about how badly I wanted to write, and how badly I needed to write and how I guilty I felt for not bringing my laptop so I could be working on it. But, then I realized something, you have to give yourself some time off.

I know, you may be screaming at your computer screen just reading that, throwing your microwave hot pockets and your Cheeto's at the screen, but hear me out.

Everyone needs a little time off, even if it's just a few hours. A few hours where you just forget NaNo. A few hours where you just ignore it and have fun and bond with others. So my advice to all of those people out there reading this. If you're constantly torturing yourself over NaNo, thinking about it nonstop, only letting yourself feel guilty for not doing it, just forget it.

You hear me. Drop it! Put down that pen. Turn off that computer. Enjoy that hot pocket and Cheeto's that you may or may not have already wasted by throwing at me. Either way, just enjoy the little moments where you can have a free mind. A mind free of NaNo.

Distractions, Distractions (How to overcome!)

Dear people reading my blog, I must confess. I keep falling more and more behind on my NaNo. For those of you who don't know what it is (CLICK HERE). Anyway, I keep running into things that keep sucking away the time for me to do it.

I have real reasons though. I mean, I don't have reasons like having a child (which the NaNo's on the forums talking about getting it done with a toddler I give my props to!), but I am a Resident Assistant at the University I attend (SIUC). I've been trying to stay creative for my job through NaNo, but it's draining me!

Some of the things I make for my job!

My creations (the flash really white washed Peach!) can took me hours a piece, because they're made out of all construction paper. By the time I'm done making these things it's past midnight and I'm 500 words behind for the day! When I'm not making things for bulletin boards I'm out enjoying nature.

Squirrel on campus enjoying nature!

I don't mean to fall behind, but it seems like it happens almost every day. (Then every few days I bang out 1200 extra words.) Anyway, I've come up with some ways for me to enjoy nature and still do my job while writing. I have found that the recommendation on NaNo of doing small spurts for 20 minutes really works well. I usually end my scene in the middle of something so that way I have something to work off when I come back. I also write literally any extra time I have (For example, when my boyfriend is in the bathroom).

So just a couple of ideas:

1. Small spurts of writing for 20 minutes every hour or so, more if you'd like.
2. Try to leave off with something for you to jump off with.
3. Write every extra minute you have!
4. Have fun with it. If you don't enjoy what you're writing, why would anyone else? (Not really a way to counteract distractions, but still a fundamental rule!)

Buried Alive

Picture by Marshall Astor

Every day I try to stay caught up on my NaNo, yet every day something threatens to distract me. For the past four or five days I have fallen behind in my word count, to the point where I am almost six thousand words behind!

So today, I have been trying to catch up. And let me tell you, it's not an easy task trying to write thousands more words then normal on a given day. Let me back track a little. When I say I have fallen behind, I don't want you to think it's because I'm sitting around watching The Office or Parks and Rec (both shows I love dearly). The reason why I've fallen behind is because I am, alas, a college student.

As a Creative Writing major I am required to take English courses. I'm not sure if you know this, kind readers, but English college courses are chock full of papers. I'm trying to write these papers, stay caught up with reading, and still watch my beloved shows, while staying caught up with my word count.

I'm trying to do the whole, write in sprints of 20 minutes, that is recommended on the official NaNo website. (Here if you have no idea what I'm talking about.) This works for the most part. My 20 minute writing sprint has ended actually which is why I'm currently writing this blog post. After I'm done with this I'll probably attempt another 20 minute stint.

One other problem I'm facing now with my story is, I feel like I'm writing completely off track. I mean there's no problem with writing off track, sometimes it can be fun to not know where your stories are going. Let them run free! The only problem is, when you're trying to write a couple thousand extra words and you won't know where your stories are going you find yourself writing things like, "And then the wombat ate a chicken wing and swung a baseball bat at an aloe vera plant." (Not an actual excerpt from my story, thankfully.)

I guess what I'm trying to say here is... Sometimes writing is difficult, I know this and so do you. But when I finish, and when you finish that Nano/poem/short story/screen play you're working on, you know it will be worth it. The surge of happiness you get when your story is finally done (first draft of course because we'd never dream of submitting an unedited story) is like that of... I don't know... Eating chocolate? Yes, let's go with eating chocolate.

So, people of this blog. How is your NaNo? How have you caught up on your stories you're behind on? How do you catch up to a deadline that is daunting you when life keeps throwing obstacles at you? Tell me your secrets!

I Put One Foot in Front of the Other One

I know it's two feet, but one has to go before the other! Also, sorry I couldn't think of a better picture!

I'm currently sitting in the conference room of the building that I am a Resident Assistant in trying to get some writing done but I've decided to go ahead and take a break so that I can finally get up my first post on here. Most blogs start out with an opening post about why they are blogging and what not but if you read my header or my about me it's already there.

I love writing. I have for years now and can't remember a time when I wasn't coming up with little stories in my head about what was going on around me, or what I wished was going on around me. Sometimes I've written those stories down, but most of the time they've slipped away from me. I know I'm already a Junior in college (I'm getting old!) but I'm glad that I can finally start to get these words down on paper and out there for people to see.

I'm sorry if this first post doesn't make much sense. I'm feeling kind of all over tonight! But don't worry, my future posts will make more sense.

So let's talk about writing. I'm currently taking place in NaNoWriMo. And for those of you who don't know what that is, it's a challenge for writers to write 50,000 words in November. Guess what, those of you who didn't know what it was, it's only November 6th! That means you can still take place! Click on THIS and you will be taken to their official website where you can meet tons of awesome people. If you want to add me my username is KSavoie. 

Anyway, many writers scoff at NaNo saying it is stupid or it belittles writing but just like Veronica Roth, author of the Divergent series, in her blog (HERE) it's a good tool to get the bare bones of your story out. She even states that on December 1st when your novel is done, you shouldn't send it out. You mull over it, yell at it, cry if need be. NaNo is a tool to outline your story. It's a tool to push writers who normally can't into the world of having a novel. I won't call you an author, because I'm not even an author, authors are published, but you are a writer, we're all writers. If your pencil has hit that paper or your fingers that keyboard, you are a writer. The months after NaNo use to your advantage to polish your work and then you can proudly state I am an author. So if you're like I am, and you need that extra push to get going, join NaNo and get going.

At this point in your writing career, no one it stopping you but yourself.

Anyway, feel free to comment on anything I've discussed. Or comment and let me know what I can improve on in my blog. Share me with your friends. I can be a hoot and a holler sometimes. If you have a blog and would like to guest write on here, or you would like me to guest write on yours, just get in touch and we'll do this. One writer patting another writer's back.

As my character Abigail in my NaNo would say, "We're all humans, we're just trying to help each other out. If we start fighting each other, none of us will survive."