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NaNo 2019 Is Almost Here!

NaNo 2019 Is Almost Here!

The last few hours tick down to NaNo. I’m not a night owl, but it’s the one night of the year when I stay up…Halloween into NaNoWriMo.

“Write like mad, my darling.” Image by Free-Photos, via Pixabay

We have a few traditions that we have each year on this day.

We pop open a bottle of sparkling juice and drink up at midnight (not exactly Intermittent Fasting friendly, but who cares? It’s a…

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Tips for Winning NaNoWriMo

Tips for Winning NaNoWriMo

It’s almost here! NaNoWriMo is just 5 days away. Oh, that glorious, wondrous time when we put aside all reason and write a whole novel in 30 days or less.

If you’ve never written for NaNo before – or never won – you probably need some help getting things going.

Here are a few things I do each year to get myself ready, to keep myself motivated, and to get that winner’s badge.

(Image by Voltamax,…

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It's That Time of Year Ago: NaNoWriMo Count Down!

It’s That Time of Year Ago: NaNoWriMo Count Down!

So, today my husband asked me what I’m writing for NaNo this year. I stared at my phone blankly for a few moments and texted back that I have absolutely no idea. I have options – lots of options – and I have 15 days to decide. That’s plenty of time, right?

Photo by David Bartus on Pexels.com

I could use outlines from previous options that I have yet to write – this would be easy, as most of my…

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Back to Magazines, Step 1: Who to Pitch?

Back to Magazines, Step 1: Who to Pitch?

It’s time. Magazines and e-zines (or whatever they’re called these days–which probably means I need to research that first first) are calling my name. Or at least calling for my byline.

So, the first step I’m taking is finding the kinds of magazines and publications I might want to write for. There are seemingly a million genres and topics out there, and therefore about a billion publications to…

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A Journey to Magazines Once Again

A Journey to Magazines Once Again

I’ve been doing freelance writing off and on for 18 years, since I was nineteen years old and decided I wanted to write about Olympic riders at a local competition. In those days of my journalism adventures, I was pitching left and right. But things slowed down when I realized I wasn’t going to be a cut-throat journalist.

Since then, I’ve mostly written for myself, with some side gigs here or…

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Resources for Writers

I’ve recently been coming across a few great writer’s resources, so I thought I would share.

Where to Pitch

If you’re a freelancer trying to find the right magazine(s) and other publications to pitch, this site is easy to use and has a ton of suggestions based on either general topics — for example, type in “travel” and 70+ suggestions come up — or by magazine/publication title for similar titles.

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NaNo Day 11: The Win

NaNo Day 11: The Win

I can’t officially validate my novel until later on, but I made it. Last night, just past midnight, I crossed the 50,000 word line.

And my husband challenged me to try something different this year: write two novel drafts this month. So, I’m starting in today (or tomorrow) on the next one. I can’t decide which novel to write, of course, so I’ll give myself the day to decide.

Why am I doing the…

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NaNoWriMo Day 9: Catching Up

NaNoWriMo Day 9: Catching Up

I crossed the 25,000-word line two days ago. The following day was a busy day with errand running, work, and things, so I only managed the minimum word count. Then, last night, after more errands and the long work day, I was ready to catch up.

And I managed only 200+ words for the day before I realized why my breathing had gotten difficult. At about 9pm, asthma had struck.

We’re blaming the…

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I became a writer because I am one. I am one because of my Dad. Today would have been his 72nd birthday.

I first heard about NaNoWriMo in 2006, one year before Dad died. I wasn’t ready to dive into the tradition yet — I didn’t start doing NaNo until a few years later in 2010. Because of that, and Dad passing in 2007, He never heard about this glorious event that takes place in the month of our birth (I’m the 4th, he’s the 6th — and yes, I was due on his birthday and came two days early because I’m an independent soul).

Today, since my Dad is not here, I choose to make into a day of tribute to him. My goal is to write at least 7,200 words in his honor –100 per year of his life (since 1000 per year would be a bit much, even for me — I have plans today 😉 ).

Dad, I dedicate my writing to you today, and celebrate the influence you always were on me to pursue my dreams, to write what I love, to not care what I know and instead learn what I want to write. You were always an inspiration to me in every area of life. Thank you. I love you! And miss you. And still dream of you at night.

Real dad laughter

Dad’s senior picture

Mom & Dad’s wedding

Dad in the navy

Dad and his younger brother fishing

Dad loved dinosaurs! 🙂

Dad at Yellowstone National Park

Dad with one of his grandsons, elk spotting

Dad carving a Christmas turkey

Dad and the rest of the family at his mother’s induction into a local aviation museum

Dad with his grandkids

Dad with Mom, my oldest bro and his wife and kids

Dad and I Christmas caroling with people from church

Dad asleep on my bro’s couch…yep, that was Dad for you

Dad and me at the Grand Canyon in 2006

NaNoWriMo Day 6: My Tribute Day I became a writer because I am one. I am one because of my Dad. Today would have been his 72nd birthday.

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NaNoWriMo Day 2: Finding the Plot

NaNoWriMo Day 2: Finding the Plot

My NaNo novel this year was first conceived when I was about fifteen years. In two days, I’ll be 37-years old. That’s a pretty hefty gap between  conception and writing. And the original idea behind the book was way different than what I wanted to write.

But today, while in the shower (I do seem to have these writing revelations there a lot), I suddenly knew the right plot that matures the…

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NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 1: Rediscovering an Old Friend

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 1: Rediscovering an Old Friend

So, last night, nineteen minutes to midnight, when I planned to start writing my NaNo novel, I still hadn’t decided which book to write this year. I hopped in the shower, hoping to clear my head, feel cleaner, and kill a few minutes while I eagerly awaited the clock turn.

I had narrowed the list to four potential novels. My husband and I chatted through the ideas at 50 minutes to midnight, and I…

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Finding the Right Consequences as a Writer With Goals

Finding the Right Consequences as a Writer With Goals

My husband and I formed a writer’s group with some fellow writers in our area. We meet monthly to discuss our writing issues, goals, and to give criticism of projects we’ve submitted for critique.

But all of us have admitted to a similar issue: the discipline to sit down and do our non-job related writing on a daily basis.

We each have started various writing projects, but never completed some of…

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Get Out of the Pulpit

Get Out of the Pulpit

If you’ve got high standards, you’re in good company. Or at least strange company. Me!

I’m a total snob when it comes to certain things. Rooibos tea, green tea, British or Irish tea, novels (though I have my indulgences, too), movies, television, art…

And that’s not a bad thing — unless that applies to your relationships with or views of people. But I digress.

One of the biggest things I’ve had…

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Why I Write Romance Novels

Last night, at writer’s group, we discussed with the group, what projects we’re working on. And as I opened up about the historical fiction that I so dearly love and have recently gotten back into writing, we discussed the aspects of romance in novels, especially in Christian novels.

Despite technically being labeled a “Christian romance novelist,” I hate, no despise, the romance genre. Why?…

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Life as a Full-Time Writer

Most writers dream of quitting their “real world” jobs to join the few who can make a living as a writer. I’ve finally made it! And thoroughly enjoying this freedom, the massive amounts of research, and the ebb and flow of words mixed up in deadlines and goals.

I’m writing for a couple of different companies, doing very different types of writing projects. The skills I pick up in the one are…

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Why I Tried Something New for NaNoWriMo 2017

Like those in every other profession, writers get into ruts. And though I wasn’t particularly in a rut this past October when I decided to try a whole new genre, I knew it was possibly a great preventative to avoid becoming rutted. So, the idea for the Eden Blum mystery series was birthed. I love reading a variety of genres, so I thought I’d try writing one of those that I thought I could never…

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5 Writing Tools for Inspiration

Today I thought I would share 5 tools that I use for inspiration when I’m feeling a little blocked.

Story Cubes–these little guys have images on them, and are shaped like dice. You toss them, and take the images from them to craft a tale.

Pinterest–I go searching for the term “writing prompt” and discover ideas this way.

Dictionary.com–I simply open the site and look for the word of the day…