NaNoWriMo is here again...

November is National Novel Writing Month.

Every year, I participate but I don't. That is to say, I've never actually sign up. I have, however, kept track of my word count. Last year, I met my goal, not to write a new novel but to finish one and work on two others.

This year, I have a book started I need to finish. I also have Novellas (20,000-40,000 words) or Novelettes (7,500-15,000 words) to write rough first drafts and re-write.

The idea is to write 50,000 words in a single month. I endeavor to keep Sunday a day of rest means about 2,000 words a day the other 26 days. I need someplace to be accountable. Since I post everyday on FB, I'll keep track of my word count there.

I'm looking forward to the coming challenge.

An update on my writing...

I'm awaiting the last look at Saving Lisa, coming out December 21, 2013.

I'm working on Grace's Possibilities, the next book in the Endless Possibilities series.

I'm also working on Finding Home, the next book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series.

I've created a series I've written for myself, but I hope other enjoy it as well. More on it closer to publication. It's my Impossible project. I never thought I could possibly do something like this. The next two months will tell.

This week's links to share...

Writers In The Storm and color:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/writing-in-living-color-and-two-new-lists/

I find it interesting when unrelated blogs post similar topics on the same day. The Art in Life also posted about color:
http://theartinlife.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/some-daily-color/

Maybe it has to do with a quote I saw on FB: "I love the color October." I do, too.

God bless.

One of my favorite breakfasts...

When I lived in Thailand, before I learned I'm allergic to eggs, one of my favorite meals was khai yat sai. I've included it in Saving Lisa Book 3 in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series. Here's a little sneak peek:

"...stir-fry ground meat and set it aside. Stir-fry the veggies and set them aside. Pour a scrambled egg or two or three in the pan. Roll the pan so it spreads out like a crepe. Cook for a minute or two, add the meat and veggies in the center, and fold the egg over it like an envelope. Serve with rice."

"You make it sound so easy."

"It is." He shrugged.

"What about the seasonings and wet ingredients the cook added?

"You mean the soy sauce and fish sauce?"

"Fish sauce?" Lisa wrinkled her nose and eyed her food.

"You liked it until I told you what it was," he chuckled. "You don't have to use it. Garlic and peppers are also optional, as you've already discovered. Thai cooking is pretty forgiving. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, a quick stir in the wok, serve with rice, and you're done."

"I don't own a wok."

"A fry pan works, too." He leaned forward and studied her. "Why are you making this harder than it is?"

Unexpected Possibilities is here!

One Directive

In 1816 England, James Thorn, by his father's command, must marry a titled lady in exchange for his inheritance. He is granted one Season in London to accomplish the task or lose everything.

Two Stumbling Blocks

James suspects his inheritance is not as lucrative as intimated. The young lady for whom he must sacrifice his soul in order to inherit may not be worth the price.

And an Unexpected Distraction

Lily Milton, housemaid, earns the unenviable role of conspirator in her mistress' plan to hoodwink the young lady's suitor, none other than Lily's own knight in shining armor. Darker schemes lurk, with twisted intentions bent on destruction, but God never abandons His own.

http://www.desertbreezepublishing.com/endless-possibilities-book-three-unexpected-possibilities-epub/

http://www.amazon.com/Endless-Possibilities-Book-Three-Unexpected-ebook/dp/B00G1YLULC/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_imgnr_2

Wordless

Links to share...

Genesis 5020 reviews books and offers giveaways to those who comment. I've added a few of the books she's reviewed to my Wish List. This is the link to last Monday's giveaway. You still have until tomorrow to enter.
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/review-and-givaway-dangerous-passage-by-lisa-harris/

A sweet, melt-your-heart tribute to love over at J. Morgan's. Well worth the read. Go, now. Click on the link, and it will even open a new window for you :-)
http://jennmorgan69.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/why-i-write-romance/

Another author on my Must Read List...

I recently finished Linda Goodnight's The Brothers' Bond trilogy. It was written back in 2006 and 2007 and recently re-released last year. I loved it.

Linda writes contemporary Christian romances. She's one of my go-to authors. When I want a good read and don't want to "risk" trying a new author, I go to one of Linda's books. My heart aches for her heroes and heroines in their struggles and rejoices in their discovery of God's love for them and their love for each other.

http://www.lindagoodnight.com/

Endless Possibilities series Book 2...

Hidden Possibilities is more affordable at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Endless-Possibilities-Book-Two-Hidden-ebook/dp/B00BXQEVIW/ref=pd_sim_kstore_3

1816, England

Caitlin Roper's past demands she pursue a solitary existence. Her life as a staid and contented spinster vanishes the moment a handsome gentleman tumbles into her world.
Fynn survives the fall from his horse in body but not in memory. Is he beggar or thief? Gentleman or laborer? He must decide.

Hopeless dreams awaken, and the door to a new path opens. Complications abound when the worlds of class differences and propriety clash.

Torn between the possibilities hidden in the future and the secrets of the past, they both must choose...before time runs out and the past decides the future for them.

Editing Saving Lisa...

May God bless your day.

Wordless

Added a new author to my Must Read List...

Dee Henderson writes contemporary suspense Christian romance novels. I recently finished her book The Negotiator. It was my first of her books, and I loved it. I'm going to start at the beginning of the O'Malley series and work my way through.

Her website isn't fancy, but it lists her books, the important information. :-)
http://www.deehenderson.com/

Endless Possibilities series Book 1...

A Promise of Possibilities, along with my other books, is more affordably priced at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Endless-Possibilities-Book-One-ebook/dp/B00909PNB8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381174950&sr=8-2&keywords=laurel+hawkes

In 1816, Spinster Elizabeth Thorn serves more as a slave than a servant as her father's housekeeper. The courageous war stories penned by Paul Silver inspire her to correspond with him, but after years of heartfelt letters, he ceases replying. Her father accepts a lucrative marriage bargain on her behalf, and her dream of sharing her life with a kindred spirit withers.

Jonathan Silverton blames himself for failing his best friend. To escape his shame, he moves to the countryside and meets none other than the woman he wrote for a decade. He dares not reveal his secrets, but he will not deny his desire to marry her.

Secrets breed distrust and misunderstandings. The past refuses to stay buried.

Shattered trust and faith may tear them apart...unless they each discover the courage to embrace the truth.

Sharing interesting links...

Writers In The Storm shared some great tips in 7 Ways to Spark Your Writing with Golden Lines:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/seven-ways-to-spark-your-writing-with-golden-lines/

I love Susan Waverly's positive attitude over at A Woman Like Me blog:
http://awomanlikemeblog.com/2013/10/04/why-not-me-october-4/#more-801

Holley Gerth also shared a blog on being happy. Thanks, God. Message received. Finally.
http://holleygerth.com/what-if-being-happy-is-an-act-of-worship/

Enjoy and God bless.

An old dog learning new tricks...

I grew up using a little 110 camera. It was a great little camera. I learned to create compositions and frame without Photoshop. It didn't exist.

I tried a camera a little more sophisticated, a 35 mm, but didn't like the results as well. So I went back to my 110. My little camera went to Yellowstone, Thailand, and Europe.

Then I couldn't find 110 film. They stopped making it.

Using a 35 mm simply wasn't the same.

Then everything went digital. Whoa! For the most part, I quit taking photos.

My BFF bought a new camera and sent the old digital to me. Perfect! The little critter terrified me. It sat in its box for months and months and months... Yeah, you get the idea.

This year's word, instead of New Year Resolutions, is CREATE.

I determined to learn how to use the camera. With BFF's help, I figured out how to take pictures. I couldn't figure out how to download them. I put it away for a while. I'd take occasional pictures, and they would sit in my camera, all alone and unseen.

Last week, BFF offered to walk me through the download process.

Success!!

This rose was outside my window last April.

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