NaNo 14771

I stopped tonight at 14771 - exactly 2500 words more than yesterday! I put two counters in my sidebar. The calendar counter is set for 75000 words (rather than the NaNo 50K). The other counter (just a progress bar) is an official NaNo counter set for 50K. If you will recall, I am aiming for 75K as that is more likely a size to be published.

I couldn't write during the day today - it all happened tonight after 10pm. Actually it was probably more like midnight by the time I actually buckled down and wrote anything.

A few details - this is a Christian romance set in the American West in the late 1800's. The exact year is unimportant, but it is likely 1881 or 82, unless I run into some anachronisms along the way. My heroine is a young woman from the East who is traveling as a companion to a rich older woman. My hero is a witty charming man from a rich family who has made the personal sacrifice to be a circuit rider (aka saddlebag preacher).

The story was giving me fits at first, but I think I'm getting into the groove now. At first I was avoiding writing, but now I find myself wanting to get back to it.

Tomorrow I have no plans other than the normal household things. I am going to try for a 5000 word day tomorrow. I am posting it here so at least I'll have some accountability. If you see me online, ask me if I am writing!

Today's Writing.

I am going to start a writing blog (yes, another blog, lol) as soon as I can think of a good name. That way, you don't have to read it if you're not interested, plus readers of my future published books can read it without me having to open up this personal blog to all of them.

Today I wrote 3 more query letters. It's not the writing that takes so long; it's finding the agents to query. I'll wax poetic about that process some other day.

I also typed 1247 words of my new novel, the one set in the 40's. I have about the same amount written that still needs to be typed. I am aiming for this one to be more like 75,000 words (rather than the 50,000 of my NaNoNovel).

I did some research on nicknames and names of people born around 1910-1916.

The Forties

[EDITED - The pictures didn't appear to be showing up (dangers of hotlinking - bad lisa), so I've copied some other images for you.]

I am going to be immersing myself in the 1940's now, getting background for my next novel. Just a few picture-thoughts for you....

Writing, Shopping, Camping

Last night I had a really boring job at work with quite a few SECONDS of downtime between cycles. So, I grabbed my notebook and WROTE. I haven't been able to do that much at work lately because of the tasks I've been given.

Anyway, I wrote 7 longhand pages of a scene for Forget-me-not (my November novel). It's the missing scene I never got around to writing. Not sure it's quite done, but at least the bulk of it is there. Now I need to squeeze it into place.

I also wrote 13 pages of a new book. No, it's not the "Love Inspired"-type romance I was planning to write. That one just wasn't "alive" to me. This one is set in the 1940's and the main character is a woman whose husband is away at war and she has taken a factory job (think Rosie the Riveter). Yes, it is a romance, but not the typical one - at least I hope not. Now I need to do some research on the 1940's, as my memories of the show Homefront aren't quite enough. lol

Took James to the nature center this morning for his field school and will have to go back and get him soon. Then I went on to the thrift store and Walmart. David needed some stuff for camp - unmentionables, socks, toiletries, shorts, etc... I also got groceries. It's good to get groceries during the day because when I come home, the kids can unload the car and put away the purchases! :-)

James and Suzy had their first session of soccer camp last night too. Heard that it went well, but James ended up with a blister on his toe and today it hurts. Hopefully it doesn't get worse at field school. Pray for his toe, if you think of it. This is NOT the week for James to have an injury!

Yes, David is going to camp. It's junior high camp at our denomination's local campground. He thought he wanted to go months ago, then he changed his mind, then he changed it back just in time! lol I think it will be good for him. I went to sleepaway camp at about the same age - once after 7th grade to YMCA camp and once after 8th grade to Christian camp. I do remember a lot about those weeks!

The weather is gorgeous again today! Tomorrow and Thursday are supposed to be about 90 and there is a chance of thunderstorms.

Do I Need More Stress?

I didn't take the promotion at work. There were a lot of factors in my decision, but when it came right down to it, I thought, "Do I need MORE stress in my life?" Of course, I told myself that I did not. Then I asked myself, "Is more stress in my life worth $100 more a month?" And I said, "Self, no. More stress is not worth $100 an month."

So, there you have it.

I told them today.

And then I got the most boring job tonight - the one I HATE. lol

But... HA! I came up with an idea for a new novel while I was bored out of my mind and sketched a rough plot outline. This one is going to be a Christian romance novel and I am going to pitch it to Harlequin's Steeple Hill line of books. There are other lines of Christian romance novels, but I will start with Harlequin.

I am going to write this baby fast fast fast. Maybe I will have my own little NaNoWriMo for March.

By June, I sure would like to NOT be working in the plastics factory. That would be really really great.