Writers, It's That Time Again!

It's here again--NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).  Every year, writers buckle down for the month of November and prepare to churn out a 50,000-word novel.  Last year, I finally entered the fray.  It was challenging to make myself write productively every day, and I wasn't completely successful.  The first week or so, I had a hard time keeping up with the pace.  As the month progressed, I got better and better.  By the end, I had produced a 48,000-word piece.

Overall, I found it to be a good experience.  It was helpful just to write, even if I wasn't exactly feeling it.  It gave me a good glimpse of how I would perform with a deadline.  And, it helped to rejuvenate my writing, which really needed help at the time.

Look around.  There's a lot of good info out there right now about NaNoWriMo.  Here is a link to give you some tips to keep you going.

Let's do this challenge together.  Comment to let me know how it's going for you.

Good luck!

-Jessica

Writer's Block: What Now?

I've been suffering from a mean case of writer's block this summer, which drives me especially crazy because I have a lot of time off this time of year.  I can't blame it on the kids anymore (other than spending so much time as their taxi driver).  They're older and can entertain themselves.  No, not the kiddos.  I think the biggest problem is a change in routine, or lack thereof.  Our summers are easy and carefree, and I need the familiar schedule to keep my creative juices flowing.

So, to pull myself out of this recent round of writer's block, I'm trying something new, or rather old I guess.  I went to Target and bought a notebook--a big notebook with LOTS of pages--and put pencil to paper.  It really seems to be working for me.  Of course, I will have to go back and type all this writing into my trusty MacBook, but I'll worry about that later.  I guess it'll be an extra layer of editing.  No harm in that.

So, what's the lesson here?  When you can't seem to pull yourself out of the dreaded writer's block, try something completely different.  A new place, new time of day, or even a new notebook.  You will likely be pleasantly surprised.

Recent book I read:  What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
Song I'm loving right now:  "Heavydirtysoul" by twenty one pilots

Rejection or No Response: What Is the Hardest Part of Being a Writer?

I've been submitting my most recent finished manuscript over the last several months.  I guess you could say I've become a bit desensitized to the rejections coming in.  I guess I almost expect them.  This is my third novel to go on submission.  So, I've been rejected, A LOT.  At least with a rejection, there is closure and, on the rare occasion, a reason why.

What I find the hardest though is the no response means no.  There doesn't feel like there is any closure.  Much of the time, you get a confirmation that your query was received, but this is not always the case.  When it's not, AND when the agent uses the no response method, there's always that possibility the spam filter ate your query.  This makes it almost unbearable.

Of course, I understand why agents do this.  This is in no way a slam against those that utilize the practice.  I can only imagine the amount of emails they receive in a day.  It's just that I, like many authors, long for the closure mentioned above and that tiny crumb of feedback that is sometimes given. It's just part of the business and nobody ever said this business was easy.  So, I'll just have to put on my big girl panties and get over it!;-)

On a side note, I want to express a heartfelt Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there and especially to my Dad and my amazing husband!

What I'm reading now:  Flashpoint by Suzanne Brockmann
Song of inspiration:  "True Colors" by Zedd and Kesha

A Writer's Support System

Let me first say I could never do this without the support of my family.  They make time for me to write.  They support me.  They ask me what I'm writing now and really listen as I explain.  They're sources of inspiration.  They tell anyone who'll listen, "My wife is a writer," or "My mom is a writer."  I am so lucky and I thank God for them every day.

Just this week, my hubby called me up and told me he had a good idea for a story I could write.  And, it was a good idea.  My imagination has been on overdrive ever sense.  He did that because I'd just said the day before I need to shelve my current manuscript because I think people are over that subject.

I can't finish this blog entry without mentioning my wonderful friends too.  One--you know who you are--has been my beta reader since the beginning.  She was encouraging and honest and had a keen eye for possible changes.  She asks constantly, "When can I read the next one?"  My other dear friend--you know who you are too--tells me all the time, "You know I don't read, but I'd read your novel any time."

It's hard sometimes.  Having two careers--writing being one of them--and being a wife and mother.  But I see it as a embarrassment of riches.  Again, I am so lucky and I wouldn't have any other way.

What I'm reading now:  If I Could Turn Back Time by Beth Harbison
Song of inspiration:  "Hollow"by Tori Kelly

A Writer's Love of Libraries

Have I said how much I love my local public library?  Well, I do, so very much.  Up until about three years ago, the fam and I lived in the Louisville Metro area.  There are lots of library locations in Louisville but I found them to be a bit intimidating.  I hadn't visited one since my college years, which was a really long time ago.  I can hear your gasps of horror now.  Yes, I know.  What the hell took me so long?

Finally, we moved to a small suburb in 2012 where I discovered the much smaller but the still wondrous South Oldham Public Library.  Parking my car in the lot outside even makes me happy.  I could go in there for hours and hours and hours, but I unfortunately have to limit myself.  Now, I check out books I never would have read before.  I just couldn't bring myself to pay money for one I wasn't sure I would like.  So, I stuck to my tried and true romance novels with an assured HEA.

It was through my library that I discovered Liane Moriarty, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Sarah Dessen, Sarah Ockler, Beth Harbison, Sarah Addison Allen and so many more.  The best news is that there are even more left to discover.  A lifetime's worth of reading in one location!

My takeaway is this:  I'm a better writer because I'm reading so much more.  I've diversified my reading which in turn diversifies my writing.  I can afford to take risks on books that I wouldn't have in the past.  Best of all, I'm having so much damn fun!

Join your public library tomorrow.  I promise you won't regret it!

What I'm reading now:  Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Song of inspiration:  "I Miss You" by (who else?) Adele

NaNoWriMo Results

On November 1, right here, I committed myself to my own NaNoWriMo challenge.  I'd never done this before, vowed to write 50,000 words in one month.  It was definitely a challenge.  I started the month slow.  By the end of the first week, I was way behind.  I could say I had at least written some everyday but nowhere near 1700 words.  I buckled down for the next three weeks and really made progress.

The results?  48,000 words by November 30.  Not quite as many as I was hoping for, but pretty damn close.

All in all, I found it to be a good experience.  It motivated me.  It gave me discipline and helped me get back into a good routine.  I recommend anyone reading this to try the same thing.  It doesn't have to be November.  Try December or January or February.  Any month will do.  Set a goal and stick to it.  You'll be proud of yourself!

Writing Challenge

It's November 1st which also signals the beginning of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for those of you wondering what that strange string of letters means on various blogs and writing sites).  There are contests and forums and online support groups for this.  Basically, you challenge yourself to write everyday for one month with the end result hopefully being a 50,000 word novel.  No focus on editing or re-writes.  Just write with abandon.

I've never tried this but I think I'm going to wander into the fray this time.  I've been a lazy writer in 2015.  Still producing written product, sort of, but at a really slow and disconnected pace.  This will be my own personal challenge to get myself back to the organized daily writing I so love.  I'll try to post my progress here on a semi-regular basis.  I would so love to hear from any readers as to how this is going for you too.

I have an idea for a contemporary YA, so now's the time.  Here I go!  Happy NaNoWriMo to you too!  Keep you posted.

-Jessica