Day Eighteen of NaNoWriMo...

1681 total ~ 31310 Still hanging in there. I wasn't sure I was going to make it, today. After yesterday's declaration, I wasn't surprised, today, when I opened the email from Harlequin rejecting my manuscript. I find it so amazing that yesterday I'd reached the point where I was perfectly okay with whatever happened. I've been reading up on self-publishing and exploring other publishers and beginning to think that Harlequin might not be my best choice. I'm a little disappointed... I was rejected, after all, but I know it's for the best. I was given some helpful feedback as to their reasoning, but they weren't reasons I was willing to change in my story. I also confess that I'm scared. I feel like the door has been flung open wide to the possibilities, and I'm not used to this kind of freedom. It feels good, but it's unnerving, too. Letting go of another dream, though this time I truly feel like God has something that is better for me in store, if I'll only keep taking the next step and the next step and the next step. So, do I believe Him or don't I? I believe Him. Jesus help my unbelief.

Day Seventeen of NaNoWriMo...

1989 total ~ 29629 Each section of writing starts out like pulling teeth, painful, slow, unsure. Then some bit reveals itself, and it's like being shot out of a cannon, at least what I imagine it might be like to be shot out of cannon. Not on my bucket list, by the way. It's so amazing to watch a story unfold. Sometimes you know what's coming next, but a lot of times you don't. You're writing, and all of a sudden thinking, "Wow! I had no idea!" Or "I didn't know that about the hero/heroine!" It's difficult to describe what it's like to watch your characters struggle, and then they catch on for a moment. In time for another aspect of the trouble to unveil itself, and they must take what they've learned to tackle this new difficulty, which will help them continue to grow, until they reach the moment when they're both in the same spot at the perfect time. God has been leading me along for a very long time. I do not know what the future holds, but I do know God holds it in His capable hands. With all my heart, I believe He set me on the path I'm now traveling, and I have reached that moment when I feel confident enough in Him and myself to expect Him to protect me. Not in the way many people think, expecting Him to smooth the way and make everything better. No, God's way is not the easy way. I expect God to lift me when I fear and tremble, to help my unbelief. I trust that He will give what is needed, not what I demand, but that does not bar me from asking, remembering to add "Thy will not mine." I know His way is the only way to true peace and happiness, no matter it will be paved with tears and pain, but it is only for a little while. And He is there to weep with me. He will not abandon me, ever. I may turn my back from time to time in a childish snit, but He is always right there, waiting for me to turn back and reach for His outstretched hand, a hand that is scarred with His everlasting love for me.

Day Sixteen of NaNoWriMo...

1847 total ~ 27640 Simply amazing. It's easier to write new chapters than to edit material that's already written. I need to remember that for future stories. I'm not a linear writer. Sometimes a scene pops into my head, and I write it and will slip it in where it belongs when the right spot pops up. I usually write the last chapter long before I reach it. That being said, it's a lot of work when I'm having to double check continuity from new material to old material that is finally being worked into the story. That being said, I'm discovering that my editing is best done during the earlier parts of the day, while actually writing tends to occur after 10 o'clock at night. There's something about the quietness of the time that helps my mind settle into the story. No interruptions, no distractions. I've learned to take 1-2 hour naps in the middle of the day, so I don't become sleep deprived. It doesn't always work, but it's a better schedule than I've ever enjoyed before. It takes a while to form a habit, and this one is still in the training stages. It does seem to be working well for me. (I'm also listening to Christmas music while I write. :-) )

Day Fifteen of NaNoWriMo...

1773 total ~ 25793 Whoohoo! Past the halfway mark. Had an unsettling experience, this evening. My internet went out, and my computer was soooo slow. Uh oh. God bless my computer, all my friends live here and so does my heart's work. Called my sister, but she wasn't close to her phone. It's okay. It was comforting to know that she would call back when she could, even if that wasn't until tomorrow. She was there. Then I called my internet company. Oh. They were out and working to resolve the problem. What a relief. It wasn't my computer. I figured out why it was so slow: My poor computer was desperately trying to find the internet connection that wasn't there, so everything else was put on hold. I unplugged the internet, and did my writing. I'm so grateful for the internet. There were words I needed to check, and no way to do so. Wrote them down to check once the internet was back. And obviously, the internet is back, up and operating, because here I am. :-) Thanks God!

Day Fourteen of NaNoWriMo...

1713 total ~ 24020 Did a quick read through and light editing of the contemporary manuscript, and sent off to my continuity editor. Thanks, Mary! Worked on Book 3, and finished another chapter. It was one that was already written but needed to be edited for change in content to match previous material that hadn't been there when it was first written. I've reached the material that was originally the start of the book, but since has become the middle of the book. There's a bit more that's already written, but I'm looking forward to when I'll be adding straight new material. It's a bit difficult keeping track of what's already been written and making sure there are no continuity blunders. Now, to allow myself to unwind, and sleep.

Day Twelve of NaNoWriMo...

2258 total ~ 22307 I'm not sure how good today's chapter is, but it moves the story forward. The next part is already written, but will now need some serious editing. That being said, the word total will still need to be met. I can to do this. I'm simply in awe of what this month has been like for me, what I've accomplished. My dreams hinted at this possibility, but I'm not sure I actually believed in myself or my ability. Granted, I haven't sold anything yet, but I'm hopeful, and I'm not giving up. I will do what I may, and turn what is beyond my abilities over to God. Thank you, God, for the amazing friends You have brought into my life. They lift and inspire and encourage in countless ways and so often precisely when I need it. All things are in Your capable hands, and I am learning to trust the truth of that.

Day Eleven of NaNoWriMo...

2559 total ~ 20049 Back working on book 3. And it's coming along. Funny. I was worried when I had only written 600 words, with another 1000 words to got. Not a problem, it seems. This has been the most incredible writing experience. Thanks, God. Veteran's Day. Thanks to the military men and women who have served and are serving. I saw this on FaceBook, by Jennifer Hartley, and it touched my heart:

Day Ten of NaNoWriMo...

2127 total ~ 17490 Oh, wow. It's done. And I am so happy with it. I'll do a proof, quick revision this weekend. Then I'll send it to my continuity editor, and go from there. THIS is what God has been waiting for me to do. And it's only the beginning. So many stories are waiting. What a joy.

Day Nine of NaNoWriMo...

1787 total ~ 15363 Another chapter done, and only one more to go. Wow. How did that happen? One word at a time. This is fun. God is good. I ask for reassurance, and He sends it. I ask for a plan, and He inspires one. It frequently isn't what I first envision, but it is always better than anything I might have planned anyway.

Day Eight of NaNoWriMo...

1716 total ~ 13576 The book is drawing to a close. It's ever so much better than I ever thought it would be or could be. It will be ready to query in a week or two, maybe sooner. If no one wants it, I'll self-publish. I already know that the time frame might be considered a difficult sale, but it's right for the story. It's in God's hands, and I'm learning to trust Him.

Day Seven of NaNoWriMo...

1942 total ~ 11860 I did a lot of cutting and revising from the previous version. POV was a struggle for me in my early writing. Sometimes it would change from paragraph to paragraph. In this MS, I had been thinking that I wanted the hero to share his dark secret last, but as I made cookies I mulled it over. It occurred to me that the healthier of the two would be the one to spill the secrets first. So, today, it's done. This has been an amazing learning experience.

Day Five of NaNoWriMo...

1942 total ~ 9918 I don't usually keep up the blog on the weekends, giving myself a break, but with the goal this month, it's better I hold myself accountable. So far so good. This has been a challenge, and a joy.

Day Four of NaNoWriMo...

2239 Total ~ 7976 I wasn't sure I was going to make it, today. I checked to see if I'd made the work count if I divided the last the last three days over the four days. I was short. So, I buckled down, and started writing. No matter how awful I feel or how out of sorts I am, once I start writing, I forget everything but the story. Thanks God.

Day Three of NaNoWriMo...

1811 total ~ 5737 Amazing. Simply amazing. I've tried to do this for the last few years, and never managed to come even close, not even the first day. Then again, I've never truly believed in myself as a writer. Now, when doubt slips in, I remind myself that if I'm serious, then I need to act like it. I'm learning. I will become better with practice. Thanks God, for hanging in there with me.

Day Two of NaNoWriMo...

2209 total ~ 3926 Another day, so far so good. The story has taken a few twists and turns I didn't expect, but I'm finding I like this process. One day at a time. Trusting God isn't easy. It takes a leap of faith. God's way is not the easy way, but I know it's the only way to know true happiness. I'm so grateful to all the angels God sends into my life to help me when I'm struggling and feeling overwhelmed.

Day One of NaNoWriMo...

1717 A good start to the month's challenge. Whoohoo! I've also figured out the rest of the story; I simply have to write it. Ha! It sounds so easy... maybe it is when you give into the story, and let it take you where it will instead of trying to control it. I sometimes, frequently, have a difficult time believing God has blessed me with such an amazing gift. And it's fun!

NaMo...

No, I'm not officially participating. The stress wears on me. The requirement is to write 50,000 words of a new novel in 1 month. I don't need to start another novel. I need to finish two that are already started. Instead of thinking in terms of a new novel, I'm going to think in terms of the average word count a day: 1667. I know I'm able to write 1,000 words a day. This will be a challenge to increase that total. That's 12,500 words a week.

More additions...

I cut a lot, and shuffled a lot, and added a lot. I'm relaxing a bit in my writing, and discovered that I do my best writing at night, late. I'm going to have to figure out how to work this, so I'm not wearing myself out. It's more difficult to work with material that's already there, deciding what to keep and what to move and how to re-write those pesky POVs. Suggestions that I start over, I've considered, and then I start reading what's there, and it's good stuff. It needs work, so now I'm doing the work. We'll see where it leads.

Another chapter...

The POV is straightened out, and the next chapter is ready to be tackled, when I'm more awake, tomorrow morning. I'm learning a lot in this whole process, including that my writing has improved a lot in the last several years. Good to know.

I enjoyed a wonderful break with a dear friend, today. It says a lot that I was still able to meet my word count. Whoohoo! I also managed to work on a few other projects, and do a bit of my PTBW. I am blessed.

I'm learning...

I pushed to meet my 1,000 word goal, and revised several chapters of the current WIP. According to the word count, it was only 1,000 words added, but a lot of re-writing was done, as well as some cutting and rearranging. I'm much happier with how it's reading, now.

Today, I read an interview with Diana Duncan, and it was the encouragement I needed to keep believing in myself. Not that I claim to be the writer she is, but she knows what it is to struggle, and she stuck to it.