National Novel Writing Month: I’m a winner

 

What is National Novel Writing Month?  Every November Writers across the world participate in what is known as NaNoWriMo, where within one month each writer is to write a 50,000 manuscript.  To accomplish this task, the writer must write at least 1,667 words per day for 30 days.  The NaNoWriMo website is set up where the writers have their own page, a short synopsis of their manuscript, a chance to meet other writers and buddy up, and a slew of other capabilities to support the writer during the project.  This way each writer, as the month progresses can update their word count and keep track of their buddies online. 

What have I learned by participating?

First I learned the value of a program like this.  I think it is a marvelous way for other writers, a very solitary job, to connect with other writers and check on their progress and be encouraged. 

Second I learned the value of discipline and what it takes to be a writer.  It takes discipline to set your behind down and to place your fingers on the keyboard and to continue a story where you have no idea where it’s going to go.  It takes faith in your abilities to allow the process to come forth.  To give into the unknown and to watch as your fingers type, the story unfolds much to you as to the reader who reads it for the first time.   In sitting everyday for one month, I became so enthralled with how and which way the story was going to go that it kept my interest.  After the month is over and I have my manuscript my mind is continuing the story.  Filling out the details of each characters and will continue during the editing process. 

I have stated before, to be a writer is more than just putting words on a page.  It means to persevere even when you are tired, it means to develop a story from start to finish, and put your heart and soul in the project for that month.  It means to lovingly take a name and shape it into a character that the reader will come to know, care about and root for.  It means to draw the reader in and entertain them, to cause them to turn each page in anticipation of the next scene.  It means to convey a message of value, such as moral, good verses evil, ext…

When I first decided to participate I was unsure if I had the courage to start and finish a project.  The project I had in mind I had for quite some time.  I had written a manuscript, and while doing the back story for the world in which this manuscript is set in, I realize that two important characters within that story had their own story to tell.  So I wrote their story.   Plus in telling their story, I was steeped into their world with even greater intimacy.  This knowledge will allow me to do a better job at the editing part of the manuscript.  To delve deeper into the psyche of each character and to really make the story and all it intricacies well rounded.

In conclusion in participating has given me more than I ever expected.  It is a journey that I plan to continue.   I am a National Novel Writing Winner and I am proud. 

What is next for me and my story?  Lots and lots of editing. 

Did you participate?  If you did share you story with us and enjoy the moment.  You are a winner.  For all writers in the world, you are all winners.  Until next time. 

Updates on National Novel Writing Month.

I have been participating in NaNoWriMo this month.  What is NaNoWriMo.  Every year writers across the world participate in writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. 

I heard that this was possible but never thought it would be true in my life.   I figured why not give it a try.  We are at the half point of the month and to get to 50,000 the participants need to be at or over the 25,000 word count.  At the moment I am at 25,038 and will do more tonight.  I am right where I need to be. 

What am I learning about this experience?

First and foremost I am learning discipline.  Every day I write on my laptop.  My particular story has multiple points of view, so I ask my characters what are they doing and how they feel?  Every day I continue those threads and plot lines.  I get into their heads and feel what they are feeling.  Sometime I have no words for what they feel.  So I have to get to the root of it and try as best as I can to explain. 

Second: for every day that I write I’m gaining in confidence, and in my ability to be a writer and to tell a story.  Each night while sleeping something occurs to me about the story, so I begin that thought and thread the next day.  The story and characters are becoming more rounded.  

Third I am in contact with other participants through emails.   Some are doing well; some are coming up with excuses.  I’m staying the course and being the strong one.  Usually it’s the other way around.  I’m usually asking others to support me. 

Forth I am so determined to finish this story because it is interesting.   The first manuscript that I wrote had two characters, that were key to the plot, but not much is told about them.  When doing their back stories for that manuscript, I thought it would be fun to write their stories and the world they came from for this manuscript; it’s another realm by the way.  So the world I created is wide open and becoming more real to me, which may open up for more stories.

There are some things that need to be set up at the ending of this story, in order to leap to the next story.  I’m not sure how that will happen but I leave that to my subconscious.  With each paragraph, plot and twist the story blossoms.  I am very excited and wondrous at the process.   Will give update next week. 

If you are participating in National Novel Writing Month and wish to share your experience we would love to hear them.  What have you learned about yourself during the process?  How has it changed you?  Will you keep writing if you didn’t achieve your goal?  Share, laugh, cry, grow and bond with other women.   Until next time.   

Books Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Series of Books. By Stieg Larsson.

Here’s what has been written about all three books. 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  608 pgs  

An international publishing sensation, Stieg Larsson’s Girl with the Dragon Tattoo combines murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue into one satisfyingly complex and entertainingly atmospheric novel. Harriet Vanger, scion of one of Sweden’s wealthiest families, disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

The Girl who played with Fire. 832 pgs

Mikael Blomkvist, crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium, has decided to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society, business, and government.But he has no idea just how explosive the story will be until, on the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered. And even more shocking for Blomkvist: the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander—the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker who came to his aid in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and who now becomes the focus and fierce heart of The Girl Who Played with Fire.As Blomkvist, alone in his belief in Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation of the slayings, Salander herself is drawn into a murderous hunt in which she is the prey, and which compels her to revisit her dark past in an effort to settle with it once and for all.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest: 912 pgs

Lisbeth Salander—the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels—is under close supervision in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: when she’s well enough, she’ll stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will have to prove her innocence, and to identify the corrupt politicians who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse. And, on her own, she will plot her revenge—against the man who tried to kill her and the government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Lisbeth Salander is ready to fight back.

After reading what the reviews say are you interested?  You should be.  I read all three books in two weeks.  Notice how many pages each book has.  It was well worth the time.  Once you read the first page you are pulled into a very interesting story that will force you to turn the page until wee hours of the night.  Once you put the books down the characters will stay with you long after.  Wow is all I can say. 

Don’t wait to pick up your copy today.   If you’ve read the books and wish to share,

We would love to have your comments.  Share, laugh, grow and bond with other women. 

Obesity Does a Double Whammy for Women.

Did you know that overweight women get paid less than over weight men?  I read an article about this subject and was appalled.  It is a documented fact.  Not just women over 50 but all overweight women don’t get paid as much as an overweight man.  (Link to the article will be at the end of the posting.)

Another double whammy for women over 50

Women my age are ostracized for not having the beautiful new bodies of a 20 year old.  Men my age go for the younger women because they are having a mid life crises and only younger women can make them feel alive again.    

There’s more:  I have walked past over weight men and they have snubbed their nose at me, even though they are far larger than I am.  Younger women look at me at as if to say, why don’t you exercise?  I exercise for one hour twice a week, and eat organically. 

I was slim until I hit menopause, then within one year 60 lbs pasted itself to my stomach area and became its own appendage.     Sit ups and exercise do nothing to the stomach area, only jiggle it around but it does not get rid of it.  The rest of my body is tone, my legs, arms even my buttock is toned. 

Now I read in the article, the whammy for women is not only the loss of male companionship but the loss of revenue.  How can we get to the root of a problem without the money to back it up?  To see a doctor if something is wrong or get medication.  What about eating special foods that help us such as Jenny Craig?  This is a terrible tragedy and a double standard that really makes me so mad I can hardly stand it. 

Last year I lost about 30 lbs.  It was wonderful, my clothes fit better and I started to get interest from men.  But I notice something strange.  The men who showed any interest were ones that didn’t have a job or car, or they worked as a short order cook and didn’t make enough money and I felt wanted me to take care of them. 

What a complete turn around from when I was growing up.   When I was younger I wanted to be rescued; now I feel the men want me to rescue them. 

I just read some of the comments and found various differences of opinions on the term curvy and obese.  One comment in particular stated that she was thin but her overweight secretary seems to find a reason not to work, due to a doctor appointment or a weight related reason.  I have worked at my job for six years and only took off one day.  The rest of the time I have work through sickness, snow, hardships and doctors appointments.  I work around my schedule because I know if I don’t work I don’t get paid for that day.  

I have never used my weight as an excuse not to work. 

Any way there is a lot to think about when it comes to this subject.  Each person has to decide what to do for their own lives.  My hope is that as I continue to lose weight and document my struggles, my experiences will help another to needs some understanding, guidance and caring.  It is worth losing the weight and being the best you can be.  It is worth the struggles each day.  It is worth it, because you are worth it.  

Share, laugh, love, grow and bond with other women.  Take care.  

Link to article here.  3 strikes against curvy women.

The Diligent Writers Critiquing Group.

That’s the name of the group that I started.   I couldn’t find a critiquing group, so I decided to start one up.  It took courage because I’ve never done anything like it before.  I did an announcement with my other writing group.  I did get some response of interest.  The few that contacted me stayed in contact until we could find a location and then I came up with a date. 

We did have some trouble at first but we persevered. 

We had our first meeting on Saturday at a local restaurant.  I’m happy to say it went really good.  The group was a total of three.  We each had a few minutes to introduce ourselves and talk about our work in progress.   We exchanged ideas and websites, and then we each got a chance to read our work and get critiqued on it. 

I don’t know about the others but I appreciated their opinions and suggestions.     

We spent two hours of what I call fun.  It felt really good to be around fellow writers and the writing process.  How we get ideas, name our characters, and all kinds of other great stuff.  I met two new writers and like them already. 

I feel really glad that I started the group and hope that more writers come join us.   I think this is one of the best things I will have ever done.  Yeah me. 

If you have a critiquing group or another group that you started and wish to share, tell us about it.   Was it scary to start it and what did it take to get it started.  Your experience can help another to do something similar or the same.  Join in the discussion and share.  Grow, laugh and bond with others.  Take care. 

Book Review: Crossing by Andrew Xia Fukuda

This book was fantastic.  Upon reading the first chapter I was hooked.  The writing is fresh, the pictures in my mind clear and the suspense was out of this world.  The ending of the book will leave you thinking long after you’ve turned the last page.

That last line was on the book, I agree with it full heartedly.  This was my first time reading this authors work and I really enjoyed his story telling.  I just cannot say enough without giving the whole thing away.  Must read. 

To find out more about the author Andrew Xia Fukuka click here for his website.  Crossing by Andrew Xia Fukuda

National Novel Writing Month:

November is National Novel Writing Month.   What is National Novel Writing Month?  or NaNoWrMo for short you ask.   It’s where a lot of writers across the nation take the full month of November to write everyday and at the end of the month write out a manuscript. 

This will be my first time participating and I’m scared and excited at the same time.  The minimum amount of words is 50,000 but the average novel is 100,000 words.  So in my estimation 50,000 words is the beginning of a novel or the foundation, and the revisions will ad the other 50,000 words.  That includes the explanation, description, subplots and more, tightening up everything and making the novel the best it can be.  That will take the rest of the year to clean up.  (Maybe)

I think it is a great thing to participate in.   Writers group all over the world are gearing up with word counts widgets, and ways to keep track. 

To get to 50,000 words in one month the writer must write around 1,600 or 1,700 per day every day even Saturday and Sunday.   It’s a great way to become disciplined.  Some will write more some less.  Using the word count is a great gage on how you are doing.    

In some of the online writing groups that I belong to, we are advertising our intent to participate and becoming buddies to urge each other on.  I have started on a plot outline and some characters in preparation.  Everyone wish me luck.  I will write on my progress throughout the month and what I’ve learned. 

I want to confess that this will be my first attempt to complete a manuscript in one month.  I am truly challenging myself on this.  I have never completed much in my life. If I where to accomplish this one task, than in my estimation I will have overcome something in my life that has held me back for years.  Once done this is just the beginning.  

If you’re participating in NaNoWrMo and wish to buddy up with me let me know or look for me on the website.   Together we can accomplish anything.  Here’s to your success.  If you have a story to share, or going through something similar we would love to hear it.    Until next time.