What’s in a name? As I’ve come to learn. A lot. The enough-to-stop-my-scenes-from-moving-forward-because-I-don’t-have-the-right-name sort of “a lot.” For this year’s NaNoWriMo I’ve resurrected an old manuscript that I had written and rewritten over many years. It is the one story that I just can’t let go. Mystery, intrigue, murder, Nazi invasions, beautiful Arabian horses – it is everything I love all wrapped up into one. But in the course of my rewrite, I decided the name of my male character was a bit too modern. So I changed it to a more time-appropriate name. But that name didnt fit this character that I’ve known (and abandoned) over the years. It...
NaNoWriMo 2011 Progress Report
I’m happy to report that I’d give myself around a B or B- for this year’s National Novel Writing Month – a challenge where one must complete 50,000 words in 30 days. The idea is to keep a pace of 1,667 words a day, but I have certainly lagged behind on some days and then compensated on other days. It is glorious to begin a new project. There are so many unknowns and roads you end up on that you’d never expect. Anyone else doing NaNoWriMo? How is it going for you?
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Recycling Week – Best of Author Interviews
I’ve been blessed to interview a lot of authors over the past two years – here is a blogroll of my favorites! The incredible Sarah Sundin helped me navigate my way into the real world of writing. She encouraged me and offered her advice without hesitation. All through email and Facebook. One day, I hope to meet her in person and truly thank her. 🙂 Her interview on my blog (my first author interview!) is in two parts and shares a bit about her own journey to publication! Part 1, Part 2 Cara Putman is ever-talented and author of many books – She shares her inspiration and why she loves...
First-Horse Horror Story – A Grain-aholic
As horse owners (especially with that learning experience called a “first horse”) we encounter everything under the sun. Just when you think things will go back to normal, horses manage to do something you never expect. I love this story by Christina Suzann Nelson, a fellow writer and horse-owner. Read on to hear about her daughter’s horse and an encounter with a bit too much sweets. -N My oldest daughter, Aleasha, started her pleading for a horse about the time she learned to walk. No farm toy or stuffed animal would sway her from that quest to own her own, real-life horse. She took lessons and then one day a...
“Obvious to you. Amazing to others.”
This video really resonated with me. It fits rather well with the theme and goal of this month, National Novel Writing Month. For those churning out novels, you might get sidetracked by doubts and comparison. Don’t let that beat you. I originally found it through Jon Acuff’s blog (a must read). This will be perhaps the best and most encouraging 1 minute and 38 seconds you spend today. So check it out. (And check out the author, Derek Sivers) What is it that you struggle with most? I constantly think that my ideas aren’t fresh enough. Let’s beat down those nagging doubts. All together, now.
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