NaBloWriMo Day 31 30 More Days of Craziness

Well, this is the last post of 2013’s NaBloWriMo and while there were moments when I wasn’t sure I would make it, I did. I posted something every day and I gotta tell ya, IT WAS HARD!

So, what’s on the horizon for me? NaNoWriMo. Yes, because apparently NaBloWriMo was just a crazy warm-up for a crazier November. Going from writing as many (or few) words as I want, to having a daily goal of almost 1700 words (providing I get to write every day) is going to be a challenge. Plus forays to the shop, which take up a lot of time and energy that leaves me little to devote to writing, or bookkeeping, or, um, much of anything for that matter.

Here’s the deal: Last year, I did not finish. Either that or I didn’t even participate. I don’t recall. Sad, I know. But I learned something important: I survived not winning. I survived writing and having a good reason to write and be surrounded by all those writer vibes while writing and it was good. It felt good. It felt right, and it feels right to do it again.

I’m diving in again because I want to reboot my creativity when it comes to my novel writing. I’ve let it slide due to work and life in general, not a great excuse, but the only one I have. Actually, it isn’t the only excuse because the other main one was a plot that just didn’t leave me wanting more. Now that I’ve ironed out that “minor” problem by hitting the delete key (well not really, because there are parts I’m going to keep to use) I’m ready to give NaNoWriMo another go and get that ding-dang second book really written and have something of worth to offer my readers.

Because they are awesome.

NaBloWriMo Day 30 Book Two

I have been writing the sequel to my first book for about a year and a half. It is not coming along as well as I’d hoped. Not nearly as well as the first book, and that was an exceptionally painful experience… for everyone.

But book two has been troublesome in many ways. For one thing, I keep going back to check on the spelling of that damn pirate’s name. Was it Joachim or Joaquin? And, who helped Obadiah?

See, in the second book, I’m stepping back in time a little bit to show some activity from the Citadel’s side of the big event where someone send a sonic attack through an unauthorized portal, thus rendering a particular portal hub useless. It’s a good plan, and one I hope doesn’t confuse anybody. I just need to keep from confusing myself in the process and make sure my timelines line up in the proper sequence, lest I put off readers who pay attention to such things and make them put the book down and walk away. That would make me sad.

I must also work Drake’s escape from the Citadel into the plot, after all, I have a scene already written for him that I really like where he gets a sound karmic spanking. Readers will be introduced to some new characters, as well as get to know some others who were integral to the first book, but didn’t have a huge presence in that story. Theo, Jewel, Captain Malano (who will get a first name, along with General Kothe), that rake Joachim/Joaquin will be there doing his best to irritate Obadiah. Stella, Baby Sabine, a handful of Citadel Guardsmen who have found themselves on the dragons’ home world, a mostly dead Librarian, Viz (not her real name, it’s the last sound her victims hear before her sword relieves them of their heads), and the fate of Claire and Cole.

I had a complete first draft all written, then I made some changes because it really didn’t pack enough “oomph” and a book without “oomph” is little more than fire starter. So I made some changes, brought in a few characters, then realized it would “look better over here” so I dragged heavy items across the plot and came up with some fabulous ideas. They just bear absolutely no resemblance to that first draft. Or the second first draft.

But, it will open the door to more adventures and I’m rather excited about that prospect. Even though it’s going to be the third first draft of the second book and the mother of many gray hairs.

NaBloWriMo Day 29 Bookfest!

Every year we Western Washingtonians are treated to an event called Northwest Bookfest. It is usually held in the fall and, in the past, has been free. Things change and now I see they’re charging $99 for two days of workshops and events. I’m down with that price, actually because it is way less than most of the writing conferences I’ve attended. Unfortunately, it is still too rich for my budget this year, but at least I’ll have a target for next year.

However, the good news is there are plenty of free author panels to attend, as well as vendors in attendance. I plan on doing some holiday shopping while I’m there. J I would love to have a table there one of these years, where I can offer all of my titles for sale. It’s another goal I’m setting for myself.

Anyway, I usually attend with a writer friend who has been known on this (and my previous blog) as Sagacious Woman. We both love books on various subjects and she is one of my faithful, patient, long-suffering first readers. That poor woman has slogged her way through rough drafts, scandalously edited second drafts, and a few nearly-final stages as well. Even as a writer, I cannot fully express my gratitude and deep appreciation for all her hard work.

Back to the topic of the Bookfest, I almost didn’t go, after all, my sweetie’s birthday is coming up next week and I was planning on spending the weekend closest to her birthday with her, but she convinced me that it would be ok for me to attend the Bookfest, providing I bring her something. It’s called a birthday gift and I’m sure I can find a suitable offering at the venue.

So, I’m going to start saving my money and next year, I’m going to make a whole weekend of it, workshops, or a table if my second book is out by then (more on THAT tomorrow…)

I’m so excited… only two more blog posts and then the month is over. You know what that means? November 1^st, I’ll start getting all these wonderful blog ideas and no time to write them around NaNoWriMo.

NaBloWriMo Day 28 Uh…

It is day 28 and I am out of topics. Not that I’d ever let that stop my fingers from traipsing across the keyboard.

The big joke about bloggers used to be topics of such inanity that bloggers became the butt of many online jokes. From babies pooping to rambling prose about plates of food, bloggers could wax poetic about anything. It’s kind of true, too.

Take this post, for instance. I hadn’t even given it much thought until Tam reminded me that I had one due for tonight and, with the exception of some irritating crap going on at work, there really isn’t anything going on worth writing about.

I made meatloaf for dinner. There was even enough left to make up a few meals, so I’ll freeze some and have some fairly quick, easy dinners in the future. I’m sure you’re a better person for knowing that now, aren’t you?

The fire isn’t going well tonight, so I’m a little chilled. I attempted a shortcut and ended up nearly putting it out. I’ll probably fiddle with it some more before giving it last rites. Unfortunately, it’s supposed to start freezing at night, which means the house is going to get really uncomfortable and I will be cranky. So will the bird.

NWBookfest is this coming weekend and I’m planning on attending with a friend. We’ve managed to go almost every year it’s been held. This year, they’re charging for the workshops, but the author panels will be free, which is good. While the cost of the workshops for two days is very reasonable ($99), it’s still a little too rich for my blood. There are two author panels that intrigued me, but one is on Saturday (the day I prefer to go) and the one I REALLY want to attend is in Sunday.

I’ve convinced my youngest to come mow my yard for me the next decent weekend we have. He’s been working for his grandparents on weekends, as well as holding down a full-time job an hour away. He loves his new job, and he says his co-workers are the absolute best. I’m really happy for him and I can tell it’s made a huge improvement on his emotional self as well.

For the next couple days, I’ll attempt to have something more entertaining to post, or if I can’t get anything to float to the surface of my brain, I’ll find some photographs to share.

Oh, but on Thursday, I’ll tell you a little bit about my manuscript and the lovely torment known as editing.

NaBloWriMo Day 27 Great Pumpkin

Want to know a secret? I love pumpkin pie.

No, really…I LOVE pumpkin pie. Given the choice between pumpkin pie and new shoes, I’d pick pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie or steak? Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie or a million dollars? Pu---leeze, I’m not THAT crazy. Can you imagine all the pumpkin pies I could buy with a million bucks? Wowza!

I also love pumpkin seeds, roasted to perfection. I love squash with butter, salt, and garlic, or butter salt and brown sugar and a little bit of cream… This time of year is awfully nice, bringing us such wonders as pumpkins and squash (which I love as much as pumpkins).

Taking advantage of the season’s plethora of pumpkins, I purchased a large specimin thinking, “Hey! I can roast up some seeds and some pumpkin and yum!” Those of you who are cooks are going to say something like, “Um, honey, you know those carving pumpkins aren’t that good for pies,” and you’d be right, but I already knew that. I just wanted to roast it up like squash, toss some butter and garlic on it, and call it dinner.

As I was cutting it, I noticed it stayed together in strings, much like spaghetti squash, and I got REALLY excited because I LOVE spaghetti squash! I pulled a bowlful from the steaming shell, tossed it with some garlic, olive oil, and salt, and took a bite. Actually, I took several bites, hoping that first one was just a fluke.

It wasn’t.

Loathe to waste food, I choked down a bit more before my stomach said something rude and forced me to stop. People, let me be the first to say, “I think I did something wrong.” There were slimy parts that just wouldn’t chew down to manageable bites. There were other parts that had a decent, semi-crunchy pasta-squash texture and flavor, but it wasn’t quite “there,” if you know what I mean. I think there is hope, but right now, I’m going to steer clear of carving pumpkins and stick with squash for eating. I’d pick up some sugar pumpkins, but they’re way more expensive and, “Hi, I’m broke.”

Sigh.

At the moment, I’m starving for something that isn’t going to make my stomach unhappy. As soon as my gut speaks to me using an indoor voice and nice words, I’ll head back out to the kitchen and fix us something that won’t cause anymore internal organ revolt. My fingers are crossed that I didn’t screw up the seeds.

NaBloWriMo Day 26 Long October

My gawd, this month has dragged its ass through the landscape. It’s the second month of the school year, but already it feels like I should be gearing up for summer. But no. According to the temperature of my feet, we’re just ankle deep in Autumn.

Dammit.

November will be a little faster, what with week, then the short week of Thanksgiving breaking up the month. December has the usual long haul up to Christmas break, but that doesn’t last as long as the eight weeks of January. But nothing compares to the last 10 weeks of October. It’s been going on so long, I can’t even remember September.

Every so often, I’ll sneak a look at the district calendar and pine for those months at the bottom right-hand column. May and June. May is hard, and June is… June… holy crap, June is one Hail Mary pass away from that epic final battle scene complete with swelling orchestration and men in kilts screaming “FREEEDOMMMMMM!!!!”

In the mean time, my feet are freezing and October still has a death grip on next week. My reward for breaking free of the month is payday, which couldn’t come soon enough, although considering most of it goes away when I pay all my bills, it will be nice to hit the grocery store and restock some of those essentials that have become scarce.

Then I must suffer through the night of the irritating beggars… when I give away free candy lest I lose pieces of landscaping or have to wash egg off my abode. Fortunately, the place that sells my firelogs has a sale going on and it lasts until the 2^nd of November, so I’ll be able to stock up on those as well. Woo-hoo! There is so much to look forward to at the end of this long month.

Providing of course, that this month will actually come to an end and not leave me in some October Twilight Zone thing. Hm, I hope this doesn’t have anything to do with that whole “throwing out the calendar” thing.

NaBloWriMo Day 25 Epic Lunch

“I’m sorry about your grandma,” I heard a Tina (not her real name), a co-worker say to Jim (not his real name, either), a fellow co-worker.

“That’s ok. She was 93,” Jim said.

We all ate in silence for a moment before Tina said, “You know, I lost a grandparent a few months ago, and I remember saying that very thing, but really, it’s not ok. It still kind of hurts, no matter how old they may be. We’re glad they’re out of pain, but we’re not glad they’re out of our lives.”

Jim said, “Well, I suppose it will probably be more real to me after the funeral.”

“Yeah, that’s when things get real, you know? And funerals are hard, especially getting everything arranged, making sure everyone can be there.” Tina paused for a moment, looking at her lunch. “You know,” she said, “It took four of us to get Grandma into the car.”

Jim and I looked at each other, but didn’t say anything.

“She just doesn’t have any muscle tone now, so my dad had to get in on the driver’s side and sort of pull her into the seat. He kind of hurt his back in the process.”

“I can imagine,” Jim said, raising an eyebrow. I nodded.

“We were fine at the funeral home because we could just drive right up there, but then there was the trip out to the cemetery.” She shook her head at the memory. “We thought about just leaving her in the car, but it was a nice day and we didn’t want her sitting there by herself.”

“No…that would be…kind of… strange.” Jim looked at me and I shrugged. I mean, what the hell does one say about something like that?

“Afterward, we took her to lunch at her favorite restaurant.”

“Afterward? Wow. Did you leave her in the car?”

“Oh, no! Of course not. We brought her in, even though it wasn’t easy.”

“They let you do that?” Jim looked, and sounded incredulous. We exchanged long looks of total disbelief. “Doesn’t that violate some kind of code?”

“Well, no. We put her in a wheelchair,” Tina nodded as she took a bite of salad. “She had a good time.”

Jim shook his head. “How could you tell she had a good time if she’s dead?”

“WHAT?” All conversations skidded to a halt.

“Didn’t your grandma die?”

Tina started laughing, “No! I said my GRANDPA died! My grandma is still alive.”

“Well,” Jim said, “that makes me feel a lot better about going to lunch at that restaurant. At first, I was envisioning you just parking the casket in the foyer then when you said you put her in a wheelchair, I was really disturbed.”

“Jim,” Tina said, “you really ARE disturbed.”