MindsBase

Just to make sure there are cross-references from one fun thing to another, here’s a reminder that my book list of titles to be read (or reread) in 2012 is over at Pinterest >>

And, on occasion, I contribute to the wonderful writing community over at Scribbler’s Cove >> so be sure to check them out if you have an inclination toward the art of the written lie.

Enjoy!

So, just in case you’re really out of it, I thought I’d let you know that November is National Novel Writing Month…. which they craftily munged up and made into a wonderful little event called “NaNoWriMo” and the idea, as you may have guessed, is to write a novel in a month. Criteria for adults is 50,000 words, if you make it by the end of the month, you win!

I’ve shied away from doing this in the past, worried about the quality of my writing when written in a short space of time, but this year I’m doing it. Here’s why I hope it will be successful:

1. I used a novel idea I already had stirring in my head for some time, so the big-picture decisions were pretty well made
2. I used the week leading up to November to install a new writing program (since my old one didn’t work on my new laptop and I had been lazy about that), finalize character sketches, scene outlines and setting details, as well as dress up as a witch. Well that last part probably didn’t help my success, but who knows?
3. I know a handful of other writers doing NaNo. I have that silly irrational competitive streak and a little pressure to keep up helps me. though I realize that I’m really in competition with meself.
4. I’m doing all my writing NOT in the family area where my main computer is, but up in my room on my mini-laptop, which is a boring enough place and small enough screen to keep me focused on the words. I wrote my first novel mainly at a coffee shop, but I didn’t want the extra calories or the pocketbook squeeze this round.
5. I’m ignoring the state of my home and children. Okay I can’t really ignore the kids, but I did get a few extra Netflix movies I knew they would like, and so I’m armed if and when I get desperate.
6. This month only requires a ROUGH draft. Not a ready-to-mail shiny piece of work.
7. I’m taking it one day at a time. If, in the end, I don’t have the full amount, I will still rejoice about whatever I do have. He-eyy!

I’m doing NaNo with my daughter, which is fun! If you or someone you know is a minor author (in age, not in value!) then check out the Young Writer’s Program, set your own word count goal, and write, write, write!

Enjoy!

P.S. Fun trivia: I just checked the site, and current stats have Seattle (my region) as second only to the whole of Germany in total word count. And, Seattle is several spots ahead of both LA and NY. Kind of a surprise. Does Seattle have a lot of writers, or just a lot of out-of-work idealists?

See:

Well, I’ve seen a few posts, floating around the blogiverse, about what is inside women’s purses, and what those contents say about them. I wonder what to think about this little trend, since I don’t carry a purse. Does this mean I have nothing inside me worth revealing? No little mysteries that make up the collage that is ME?

On the other hand, I’ve seen some very interesting (to me, anyway) pictures of writers’ writing spaces, and what they say about the author. To that idea I say: I likey! So, without further ado, I present my work desk, and some of the little mysteries that make up my writing self:

Okay! Points of interest:

1. Eyeglasses on the printer, rather than on my face, in spite of being THIS CLOSE to me. I guess I’m determined to be blind. Note that they are not tucked into their case three inches away, either. I live my life in the gaps between.
2. Left corner, two phones, both probably holding unheard messages from poor people that will not get a prompt callback, while I instead plunk those noise-canceling cordless earphones onto my ears and listen to podcasts. I prefer recorded people to live people.
3. Downstage right, sustenance, need I say more? Who quits for lunch, honestly. If you stop to eat, it’s just an excuse to avoid writing. REAL WRITERS power through. (If you know me, you’ll get the irony.)
4. General paper-messiness. This comes from having research materials, idea scraps, important notices from kids’ schools and tax documents all sharing space in my head as well as my desk. Can you believe I never (knock on nice cherry wood desk) am late with my bills? I thank Quicken. Heartily.
5. Nice cherry wood desk. Better give a shout-out to my husband for this lovely desk, which matches the one in the kitchen and is so much better than I deserve. Apparently I just need more linear feet of it. By the way, I noticed several years ago that an environment with lots of speckle in, say, wallpaper or draperies made me feel less relaxed than the lovely woody, smooth surroundings you see in this pic. Thank goodness my husband built such a house for my persnickety muse. Isn’t the clutter of papers a problem? Not so much.
6. Crumpled paper towel in front of speaker. Can you say: too lazy to get a proper box of tissues during allergy season?
7. Bright white reams of paper serving as footstool for short-legged writer. I may be pathetic in so many ways, but I am determined to send out (at least during manic phases) crisp, clean, lovely copies of my work to real live industry mavens. Heaven help me.

This is a challenge to all my lovely writer friends to write me a comment with a link to your own desk photo. I want a glimpse into the genius that is you! No straightening up first, either.

Over at the Market My Words blog, Shelli said it: how I’m feeling today. Just reading the list of mom’s responsibilities makes me tired.

At the center of a busy life >>

And I used to be so good at enjoying the moments…

As a real, bona fide grown up, I’ve learned something about life. Not a lot, but at least this one thing:

The more you appreciate the things in your life — whether they be good or bad — the happier you are.The more you expect things to be a certain way, the more you are likely to be unhappy; the more your joy is conditioned upon your circumstances.

My first manuscript

So, a few things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving season:

1. I’m thankful that I have to beg, borrow and steal time to be able to write. It makes me treasure the moments I spend creating stories.
2. I’m thankful to have struggled financially for the past decade, for that has made me realize how little we need to live — how we don’t need things to make us happy. I’m grateful that my kids have learned this lesson, too.
3. I’m grateful to drive an old, beat up car that I never take the time to wash (see #1), so my kids have a renewable canvas for their love notes to me. I’m most thankful for the moments I spend in said car chatting about the world with the most important people in my life.
4. I’m grateful for a marriage that has grown from youthful adoration to a deep and resounding love that makes Hollywood movies look shallow and trite.
5. I’m grateful for a God that loves me enough to tailor my trials, just for me, so I can become my best self (over time. Like, a looong time.)

Hmm, I was seeing if I could be thankful for my challenges instead of my blessings. It made me feel lucky even for the hard things! And yes, my awesome marriage is on the list of trials — anyone with a lasting marriage will agree. I tell ya, sometimes, everyone hates their spouse. It’s what you do then that counts.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!