NOVEL or NOVELLA (it’s taken on a mind of its own)   January has seemed to slip away without me noticing. The only excuses I can come up with for my delay in writing is my computer acting up. One day it worked. The next, hubby is checking online to purchase me a new machine.   From the living room, I yelled, “But I love this one. I’ve had it six years.”   “Dear, it’s outstayed its welcome. You’ll learn to love the new one too.”   After a visit with the Geeks, I’m happy to report I’m still using the original one. Who needs a new computer? Not me. And from this point forward, I’ll save my work. Don’t want to lose my work in progress.   And this brings me to a story about my WIP. It was supposed to be a novella (20,000-25,000 words) due October 1, 2022, and set at Christmas time. I started it and at the close of 2021 – I’d typed almost 43,000 words on it.   Yes, 43,000 words. I tried to shush my characters when I reached around 23,000 words, but they kept chattering. I finally had to admit that I’d written a novel. The next step was to turn my attention to writing another book (the novella) to fulfill my October deadline.   I started on it, and that’s when my computer died. This is the life of an author. Surprises at every turn. I don’t know when the novel will be published. Still have to edit it countless times, but I’ll keep you posted on a release date. And finish the other one. Help!!!   FAMILY/FRIENDS NEWS: Our family and friends’ homes weren’t touched by the fires in Colorado, but please continue to lift the state in your prayers. The people who lost their homes find it almost impossible to locate new places.   We’ve all been touched by something difficult over the last two years, but this verse is what I cling to each day. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6   Until next time...    Blessings! Janetta Fudge Messmer - Author of Christian Comedy/Romance “Turning Life Into Comedy” E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com Website and sign up for the newsletter: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge