2010

Funny, still feels exactly like 2009, which felt strangely similar to 2008. But it is officially 2010. In six months, I will be 35 years old.

The year I turned 30, I decided I wanted to be published. I was already a writer. I had been writing story since I as a child. I had an epiphany. I realized that if I was truly turning 30, someday, I would truly turn 40. By the age of 40, I wanted a book on the shelves of a store, even if it was only waiting for my mother and a few close friends to purchase it!

When I mentioned this to a friend, one of a handful of people in my life who knew I was a writer. Her response was, "I bet you can do it by 35."

While I appreciate her faith in me... it isn't going to happen by 35. It might not even happen by 36.

2010 feels like a good year.

So, I didn't win...

The winners of the Good Housekeeping Short Story contest were to be announced on or about Dec. 15th.

Since it is way past about Dec. 15th, I am accepting I must not have made the cut. I really expected to be more upset than I am. I have learned much more about the craft of writing than I knew just a few short months ago when I sent in my entry. I can find the flaws in it. I can understand where it would have been considered substandard in comparison to others with more polish.

But I am not saying I lost... I didn't lose anything. I wrote something I felt worthy of consideration and I sent it. In my world, that is a HUGE step!

Done...

I have decided not to enter the contest. It was a hard decision because I was really feeling drawn to it. But it is a yearly contest. I want to take sometime to prepare something worth entering. I would also like to become involved in the organization a bit and see what it is like.

I think my main motivation for wanting to enter was to feel as if I was actually moving forward with my writing. I started my mystery writing class today. So, for now, that will fullfill that need.

Now what?

In a few hours it will be Dec. 1st, NaNoWriMo will officially be over. I met my goal with a few days to spare. I haven't gone back to look at my 50,000 words. I am letting them cool for a while. Amazingly, I really like my story and like what I wrote. I am not sure if it is "good" but I know it isn't "bad". I am alright with that.

But now I am stuck...
I don't know what to do next. I have a contest I really want to enter. Mostly, because it is judged by editors who offer feedback on a score sheet. I have no intentions of winning, but I would LOVE to hear the feedback.

The problem is I don't have anything near ready for submission. The deadline is Dec. 30th. I could probably throw something together in that time, but it would be just that, thrown together.

This is a super busy time of year at work. I am already WAY behind on grading. Dedicating more time to writing would just put me further behind... I won't even mention how high the laundry pile got in November or that I can't find my kitchen sink for all the mess.

But, I really want to enter this contest...

Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!

I won!!!! I won!!! I won!!! I won!!! I won!!!!

50,000 words in 30 days....
Well, 50,360 in 25 days if you want to be exact.
253 pages double spaced courier new 11 point font.


And some of it is actually good!!!

Over 10,000 words!!!!

It is Nov. 4th and I am 1/5 through NaNoWriMo!
I have to admit a good portion of that came from being home sick today. Is it bad to enjoy the "you can't return to work for 24 hours after being sent home with a fever" rule? I spent the whole day pretending that I a was an author. I didn't do dishes. I did only the necessary laundry. I didn't even turn on the TV. Though I will admit to watching an episode of Castle on ABC.com, but you have to take some breaks, right?

The best part is I actually like what I am writing. It is beyond difficult to not go back and edit at this point. But I am saving that for December.


I kind of hoped that today would make me realize how lonely and boring life as a professional writer would be, but it didn't. I LOVED it!

Nov. 1st

Let the writing begin!!!!!!!

Any time now... just start writing...let's go... just open a word document and get started.... you can do it...

UGH! I'm stuck.

I have all the characters from my previous works in my head screaming, "no, no... me! me! Pay attention to me!"

No one new has shown at the party. I can't decide if I want mystery or romance. I know I just need to start. Just start ANYTHING!