I'm going to write 50,000 words in ONE month. Is it possible? YES!! The reason I know is because I wrote over 66,000 last year. All those words in one month.
The reason I did it - I'M NUTS. Beside that (some of you a nodding your heads), the leader of my Monday night writer's group came upon a book written by Chris Baty called, "No Plot? No Problem! He calls November - NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month). Twenty of us took on the challenge of writing 50,000 words(equivalent to a novel) in one month and 15 of us finished.
Is the book I wrote publishable (I'm not sure that's a word)? NO!!! One of my problems while writing was I didn't figure out until Day 21 (when I did a synopsis) what my book was about. I think this year I'll come up with that important piece of the puzzle before my fingers hit the keyboard the first day.
Chris suggests you just put words down and make sure you shut your internal editor off. JUST WRITE (or type) WORDS and you can go back later and make sense of them.
Another thing Chris tells you to do before you start your novel - tell EVERYONE what you're doing. This way people will ask about the project and hopefully will keep each of us on track to finish on time.
In just a few days you can ask me how many words I have. I promise I won't get cranky or delete you from my address book. Please keep me accountable. THANKS!!!
nettie
P.S. I promise I'll post my ups and downs of writing so many words on my blogspot. Did I just promise I type more words - oh no. HELP ME!!!!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Christmas and my Stingray bicycle
Christmas! What am I doing mentioning something that doesn't happen for 3 1/2 more months. Well, I had another interesting writing assignment (somewhat self imposed - leader of my writing group challenged us to write for 30 minutes for 30 days and it would become a habit).
Yesterday, to begin the challenge, I flipped open the pages of my prompt book to Sept. 1st and read - Write a December memory. I pondered it and honestly for a few minutes I couldn't come up with a darn thing. Then it hit me - the year I received the gift I'd longed for (and I'm sure bugged my parents to death about).
Picture this: I bound down the stairs, in front of the rest of my siblings, and there it sat in all its glory - my very own, brand spanking new, blue Stingray bicycle. I think I almost heard the angel's break out in song and I know the earth stopped on its axis for a split second.
Today I sit typing words, but really there aren't words to express the sheer happiness of receiving the gift I'd asked for. You don't have a doubt in your mind you're truly loved.
Anyway, remembering my fond memory of 40 years ago brought a smile to my face. Please let me know a special gift you've received and will never ever forget.
nettie
Yesterday, to begin the challenge, I flipped open the pages of my prompt book to Sept. 1st and read - Write a December memory. I pondered it and honestly for a few minutes I couldn't come up with a darn thing. Then it hit me - the year I received the gift I'd longed for (and I'm sure bugged my parents to death about).
Picture this: I bound down the stairs, in front of the rest of my siblings, and there it sat in all its glory - my very own, brand spanking new, blue Stingray bicycle. I think I almost heard the angel's break out in song and I know the earth stopped on its axis for a split second.
Today I sit typing words, but really there aren't words to express the sheer happiness of receiving the gift I'd asked for. You don't have a doubt in your mind you're truly loved.
Anyway, remembering my fond memory of 40 years ago brought a smile to my face. Please let me know a special gift you've received and will never ever forget.
nettie
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Elvis - I'm All Shook Up
I think I promised I'd keep my blog on a happy note, but today you might want to snatch up a tissue before you start reading. Today marks the 29th anniversary of Elvis' death. There's no way I can be cheery. Even after all these years, it saddens me he died. So much life left to live.
A friend called and told me Elvis died. I asked him if he was kidding. He assured me he wasn't. I turned on the tv and it splashed every story known to man about Elvis. I watched every minute of it - with Kleenex in hand. I called all the female members of my family, especially my one sister. I knew if she heard the news while driving in traffic on her way home, she'd cause a 50 car pile-up. She was grateful for my concern for her and others safety.
R and I visited Graceland a few years ago. I don't think R gave a rip, but I thought it would be cool. The 1970's motif took a little getting use to, but knowing "The king" had walked on the same shag rug made my heart pitter patter. My tune changed dramatically when we went out and view the graves. Just a little too over the top for me. I don't even visit my grandparent's gravesites, so what was I doing peering down at my favorite entertainer's headstone.
Anyway, I lived through it and I'm glad I could check it off my list of Elvis to dos. Another thing on my to do list that I checked off was in 1973. I saw him in concert. Only a Junior in high school and in the 10th row (my mom sat right next to me). Seeing him was a dream come true. "2001, A Space Odyssey" introduced him and "Can't Help Falling In Love" he said his goodbyes. The person then announced - Elvis has left the building.
Yes, he's left the building, but he still lingers in my heart. Love ya, Elvis, and I always will.
nettie
A friend called and told me Elvis died. I asked him if he was kidding. He assured me he wasn't. I turned on the tv and it splashed every story known to man about Elvis. I watched every minute of it - with Kleenex in hand. I called all the female members of my family, especially my one sister. I knew if she heard the news while driving in traffic on her way home, she'd cause a 50 car pile-up. She was grateful for my concern for her and others safety.
R and I visited Graceland a few years ago. I don't think R gave a rip, but I thought it would be cool. The 1970's motif took a little getting use to, but knowing "The king" had walked on the same shag rug made my heart pitter patter. My tune changed dramatically when we went out and view the graves. Just a little too over the top for me. I don't even visit my grandparent's gravesites, so what was I doing peering down at my favorite entertainer's headstone.
Anyway, I lived through it and I'm glad I could check it off my list of Elvis to dos. Another thing on my to do list that I checked off was in 1973. I saw him in concert. Only a Junior in high school and in the 10th row (my mom sat right next to me). Seeing him was a dream come true. "2001, A Space Odyssey" introduced him and "Can't Help Falling In Love" he said his goodbyes. The person then announced - Elvis has left the building.
Yes, he's left the building, but he still lingers in my heart. Love ya, Elvis, and I always will.
nettie
Friday, August 11, 2006
Tough writing assignment today
This blogging is all new, but thought I'd give it a try. So, please be patient with my flubs.
Today I sat down to write a story about my divorce. It happened 27 years ago. I can still remember all the sordid details, but why should I trash someone over something two decades later. Does it really matter now whose fault it was. Hey, I can admit it's all his fault and there's nothing he can do about it now (HA!).
All joking aside, doing it turned into a daunting task. I started writing and it turned into a blame game and then I switched over to a little comic relief. Now I'm at the part where I need to put down what I learned in the experience so I can help someone through their ordeal.
The funny thing about this whole situation is I've been married to my second husband 25 of those 27 years. Did I learn anything from my first experience? Sometimes I wonder (please don't ask my husband), but I know one thing. I scored a big winner the second time around.
Bye for today. Better check to see if I can find my own blog.
nettie
Today I sat down to write a story about my divorce. It happened 27 years ago. I can still remember all the sordid details, but why should I trash someone over something two decades later. Does it really matter now whose fault it was. Hey, I can admit it's all his fault and there's nothing he can do about it now (HA!).
All joking aside, doing it turned into a daunting task. I started writing and it turned into a blame game and then I switched over to a little comic relief. Now I'm at the part where I need to put down what I learned in the experience so I can help someone through their ordeal.
The funny thing about this whole situation is I've been married to my second husband 25 of those 27 years. Did I learn anything from my first experience? Sometimes I wonder (please don't ask my husband), but I know one thing. I scored a big winner the second time around.
Bye for today. Better check to see if I can find my own blog.
nettie
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