I gave a holler down the hallway at the NaBloWriMo page, and just heard my own voice echoing back. Is anyone participating this year?
I, for one, would like to get my writing game back on; however, I have a new blog page I'm trying out where this year's posts will appear. Currently, my "Life's Too Short To Fold Underwear" blog comes up on the blog roll over on the NaBloWriMo page, and with no one manning the ship, I'm not sure how to get my new blog page on the list.
So for anyone interested, the new blog is Casual Day Images.
See you there :)
Showing posts with label NaBloWriMo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NaBloWriMo. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Thursday, October 31, 2013
NaBloWriMo Day 31 - Random Status Post Thursday
So on this Halloween/last day of October to wrap up National Blog Writing Month, the post on my news feed this morning was as follows:
"If you were a booger, I'd pick you first :)"
Is that supposed to be a heartwarming sentiment?
No, it's snot!!!! Hahahahaha!!!!!
I will miss writing random crap everyday, but it has been a great primer for National Novel Writing Month. Time to get down to some serious composing. Today, I plan to set up my writing space and organize my notes from the writer's retreat I attended a couple years. Grandma and Grandpa's letters are in the freezer (a technique I read about to stop mold from growing on paper), and then I will head over to NaNoWriMo to create my novel specs.
Check back in the days and weeks to come and follow my progress as I post about my novel writing experience.
In the meantime, I will leave you with some parting shots for the day...
"If you were a booger, I'd pick you first :)"
Is that supposed to be a heartwarming sentiment?
No, it's snot!!!! Hahahahaha!!!!!
I will miss writing random crap everyday, but it has been a great primer for National Novel Writing Month. Time to get down to some serious composing. Today, I plan to set up my writing space and organize my notes from the writer's retreat I attended a couple years. Grandma and Grandpa's letters are in the freezer (a technique I read about to stop mold from growing on paper), and then I will head over to NaNoWriMo to create my novel specs.
Check back in the days and weeks to come and follow my progress as I post about my novel writing experience.
In the meantime, I will leave you with some parting shots for the day...
 |
| I may have over estimated how much candy I would need for beggar's night! |
 |
| Just one of seven jack-o-lanterns we will light for tonight's festivities. |
 |
| Look up and be prepared! You never know what might be lurking above. |
Monday, October 28, 2013
NaBloWriMo Day 28 - Are We There Yet? Part 1
Only three days left of National Blog Writing Month 2013. I am pleased that I was able to achieve my goal of writing everyday for a month through this online blogging experience...even if some of the days didn't amount to much.
What did I learn from this experience?
I learned that setting goals is essential in order to stay on track--(not just in writing).
I observed whatever you want to write about has probably already been written about and is readily available on the internet so you better have a unique spin to your story.
I found purpose and intent filled my days as I developed story ideas and topics in preparation for writing my blog.
In reading other bloggers' posts...
...I discovered places I want to visit like...Long Beach, Washington and Missoula, Montana.
...I fell in love with Gregory's smile.
...I was in awe of Vanessa's strength and grace.
...I became inspired by Rebecca's courage and tenacity.
...I got acquainted with Gabe and Gigi's story in the book "My Message is C.L.E.A.R" and feel I have a greater awareness for those living through adversity.
...I laughed at Aaron's vlog and appreciated his quirkiness.
As October closes and I reflect on the writing and the momentum I have gained this month, I look forward to continuing the routine through the National Novel Writing Month exercise beginning November 1 and ending 50,000 words later on November 30.
I find myself more closely examining my goals for this writing exercise as I think about some wise words I heard from actor/writer/producer Judd Nelson. This past weekend, I attended a film making initiative meeting held in conjunction with the Iowa Independent Film Festival where Judd Nelson was an honored guest. When asked a question about writing a screenplay, Nelson gave two solid points:
- Start small.
- Be honest with why you are writing.
"...theater is for actors, film is for directors, and books are for writers."
Whether you are writing to tell your own story, to better your craft, or to seek fame...it doesn't matter the reason, as long as you are honest with yourself about your reason. If you are honest, that will be the driving force that gets you through the project with a successful end result.
Don't start out with an infinite number of characters. Start with one character in a room with one idea and build from there.
His points really resonated with me, and I did a serious, hard look at why I wanted to take on the NaNoWriMo challenge and what I wanted to accomplish and came up with the following:
(to be continued)...
Friday, October 11, 2013
NaBloWriMo Day 11 - What Does Writing Mean to Me
To Write or Not to Write...That is the question.
There is no write or wrong answer.
Writing is a type of therapy for me. I've never been very good at thinking on my feet and having an intelligent conversation with someone that just flows effortlessly. But writing gives my brain time to process and come up with more accurate and meaningful thoughts. Writing allows me the eloquence I lack when I'm speaking. Additionally, when I write, I can set my thoughts aside and come back to edit and fine tune later.
There was a time when I aspired to become a famous published author. But now I just write for my own personal enjoyment.
Past accomplishments include a self-published children's book and a couple stories that were accepted for publication in a magazine. I have created some other blogs which I have used for vacation journals so I can share my travels with family.
National Blog Writing Month helps me with my goal of writing everyday. Writing is fulfilling. It is my own and my own personal escape.
There is no write or wrong answer.
Writing is a type of therapy for me. I've never been very good at thinking on my feet and having an intelligent conversation with someone that just flows effortlessly. But writing gives my brain time to process and come up with more accurate and meaningful thoughts. Writing allows me the eloquence I lack when I'm speaking. Additionally, when I write, I can set my thoughts aside and come back to edit and fine tune later.
There was a time when I aspired to become a famous published author. But now I just write for my own personal enjoyment.
Past accomplishments include a self-published children's book and a couple stories that were accepted for publication in a magazine. I have created some other blogs which I have used for vacation journals so I can share my travels with family.
National Blog Writing Month helps me with my goal of writing everyday. Writing is fulfilling. It is my own and my own personal escape.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
NaBloWriMo Day 8 - Wealth is found in the most unlikely places
There is a poem circulating that gives a beautiful explanation to the mysterious findings of the pennies on the ground--our angels in heaven leave them for us. I've read the poem time and time again when it pops up on my newsfeed or gets forwarded in an email. I always thank my grandma every time I pick up a penny from the ground because of that poem. The other day, Grandma was feeling especially generous when she left me a dime--ten pennies all in the same pile!
I never imagined there would be any benefit to being shy and socially awkward. But while I was looking down to avoid uncomfortable eye contact in the hallway or while walking to school, I would easily spot all those coins that had slipped out of the hands or pockets of kids who would later be short when paying for lunch. Occasionally, I would even find a paper dollar. One time, I was so astonished to find a $20 bill, that I nonchalantly placed my foot over it while looking around to see if anyone else had seen my discovery or might want to lay claim to it.
I remember a Christmas Eve driving through a deserted parking lot of the mall on the way home from our annual family gathering. I spied what appeared to be a wallet laying on the concrete. Dad stopped the car and I opened my door and reached down to retrieve what was indeed a woman's billfold. Inside were several fifty dollar bills--no doubt the hard-earned cash of someone doing some last minute Christmas shopping earlier in the day. In addition to all the cash was identification. We went home and I called the woman to let her know I had found what she had lost. I anticipated with the kind of money she was carrying that a reward of some sort would be forthcoming. Christmas Day, when she showed up to claim her lost item, not only was there no reward...there was not even a thank you. I remember vowing from that moment on that the next time I found a wallet full of cash, I would take the cash and put the billfold back where I found it. Well...that was 35 years ago, and I have yet to find another billfold to fulfill my vow.
But unexpected wealth isn't just in the occasional windfall of some pennies from heaven. Wealth can come as a kindness from a stranger--a friendly hello when you're feeling down, or a card or phone call from a friend you haven't heard from in awhile.
Spiritual wealth is found in a scripture passage that has been read over and over and then suddenly takes on a whole new meaning that can only be God inspired.
Life is short...
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
I never imagined there would be any benefit to being shy and socially awkward. But while I was looking down to avoid uncomfortable eye contact in the hallway or while walking to school, I would easily spot all those coins that had slipped out of the hands or pockets of kids who would later be short when paying for lunch. Occasionally, I would even find a paper dollar. One time, I was so astonished to find a $20 bill, that I nonchalantly placed my foot over it while looking around to see if anyone else had seen my discovery or might want to lay claim to it.
I remember a Christmas Eve driving through a deserted parking lot of the mall on the way home from our annual family gathering. I spied what appeared to be a wallet laying on the concrete. Dad stopped the car and I opened my door and reached down to retrieve what was indeed a woman's billfold. Inside were several fifty dollar bills--no doubt the hard-earned cash of someone doing some last minute Christmas shopping earlier in the day. In addition to all the cash was identification. We went home and I called the woman to let her know I had found what she had lost. I anticipated with the kind of money she was carrying that a reward of some sort would be forthcoming. Christmas Day, when she showed up to claim her lost item, not only was there no reward...there was not even a thank you. I remember vowing from that moment on that the next time I found a wallet full of cash, I would take the cash and put the billfold back where I found it. Well...that was 35 years ago, and I have yet to find another billfold to fulfill my vow.
But unexpected wealth isn't just in the occasional windfall of some pennies from heaven. Wealth can come as a kindness from a stranger--a friendly hello when you're feeling down, or a card or phone call from a friend you haven't heard from in awhile.
Spiritual wealth is found in a scripture passage that has been read over and over and then suddenly takes on a whole new meaning that can only be God inspired.
Life is short...
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Day 1 - Life is Short...Put a Lid on It!
Life is too short to wear only one hat, so I wear many!
I am...
...a faithful wife,
...a homeschool mom,
...an exhausted caregiver,
...a senior pet owner,
...a distraught sister, and
...an estranged daughter...
(just to name a few).
For the month of October I will add..
...a writer
National Blog Writing Month (NaBloWriMo) begins today. Given the list of hats that I wear, I have plenty toscream write about!
I enjoy writing, but rarely take the time to indulge. This month, I hope to dust off my writer's hat and cap off everyday by taking some time for me!
I am...
...a faithful wife,
...a homeschool mom,
...an exhausted caregiver,
...a senior pet owner,
...a distraught sister, and
...an estranged daughter...
(just to name a few).
For the month of October I will add..
...a writer
National Blog Writing Month (NaBloWriMo) begins today. Given the list of hats that I wear, I have plenty to
I enjoy writing, but rarely take the time to indulge. This month, I hope to dust off my writer's hat and cap off everyday by taking some time for me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)