Ever hear of it?
National Novel Writing Month kicks off its annual November Book Writing event starting tomorrow. The goal is to write a complete novel, 50,000 words, in just 30 days.
I first heard about NaNoWriMo from a co-worker when I was living in South Carolina. I would have joined then, but it was probably November 20 or 21 when she told me about it...just a little late at that point. Last year I was busy working a brand new job in Virginia and didn't have the time. This is my year! I already have my plot, my characters (well, the framework of them...haven't fleshed them out completely) and my setting. Starting tomorrow, I write!
How can you write a novel in a month? Easy. Just start writing and don't stop until midnight, November 30. The key is, don't expect it to be perfect. Ignore your inner editor and just write. According to their website, "Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly."
I'm actually looking foward to this. I just finished my fourth writing assignment and will pretty much have this month off from that. Doing NaNoWriMo will help keep the creative juices flowing. I'm hoping it will also teach me some discipline, as that is something I lack from time to time. I don't know if I'll make the 50,000 word goal, but at least I will have tried. How many of us can say that?
I've added a word count meter below the NaNoWriMo icon on the right, just to let everyone know how I'm doing.
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Would you like Spam with that?
Cruising around the blog-o-sphere, I came across this and had to try it.
What Monty Python Sketch Character are you?
You are a waitress! You're destined to serve Spam and Lobster Thermidor to Vikings every single day of your life...
Take this quiz!
Quizilla
Join
Make A Quiz More Quizzes Grab Code
What Monty Python Sketch Character are you?
You are a waitress! You're destined to serve Spam and Lobster Thermidor to Vikings every single day of your life...
Take this quiz!
Quizilla
Join
Make A Quiz More Quizzes Grab Code
Somehow I thought I'd wind up in the Spam sketch. Just thought I'd be the customer, not the waitress.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Pictures
I know, I know, I promised these last week, but life's been pretty busy lately, trying to catch up at work, my chores at home, my writing assignment and taking care of all the other lovely things that crop up daily. Plus, I started walking recently at the park--they have a "parcourse" that will really test your level of fitness. I'm not so sure about that term, "parcourse"...it's a walking trail that has about fifteen or twenty places to stop and do a particular exercise, like jumping jacks, sit-ups, knee lifts, chin-ups, etc. If anyone knows a different name for these kinds of courses, please let me know. I'm certain there's another name for them, I just can't think of it.
Anyway, on with the pictures!
According to my friend, they were having quite the dry spell pretty much August through September. That changed when I arrived. It was overcast and raining most of the time that I was there. It didn't clear up until--you guessed it, the day I left. Actually, the afternoon before. I managed to make it to the beach Saturday afternoon and here are a few pictures I took.
And here's the next day...the sky was so much clearer.
One of the things I love about the Myrtle Beach area was the beautiful cloud formations I saw. (I'm sure you'd probably see the same in other beach areas.)
Well, fingers crossed, I may be going back again in late November or over the Christmas/New Year holiday. Temps in the 40s and empty beaches. Can't wait!
Anyway, on with the pictures!
According to my friend, they were having quite the dry spell pretty much August through September. That changed when I arrived. It was overcast and raining most of the time that I was there. It didn't clear up until--you guessed it, the day I left. Actually, the afternoon before. I managed to make it to the beach Saturday afternoon and here are a few pictures I took.
And here's the next day...the sky was so much clearer.
One of the things I love about the Myrtle Beach area was the beautiful cloud formations I saw. (I'm sure you'd probably see the same in other beach areas.)
Well, fingers crossed, I may be going back again in late November or over the Christmas/New Year holiday. Temps in the 40s and empty beaches. Can't wait!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Help Me!
I may have mentioned that I work for a great little company, 12 people doing the work of 20. My boss is teriffic, but like a lot of older people, he's not the greatest with the computer. Don't get me wrong...he's an extremely intelligent man. He knows the product we're selling backwards, forwards, inside and out and any other direction you can think of (and a few you probably can't!). And to be fair, he does know how to operate his computer, and does it quite well, but the simplest things can stymie him.
This morning, not ten minutes ago, he came to me and said, "My computer is down, can you come fix it?" I am by no means an expert, but I can solve simple problems and some of the more complex ones as well. I go to his office and look at the screen. It's showing me the standard log-in window.
So you're asking, "what's the problem?" That's the problem. He can't log-in because he doesn't know his password. He normally doesn't log off his computer, just leaves it logged in overnight so it's ready to go in the morning. There was a power outage overnight, so he had to power on his computer when he got in, hence, his "computer is down." I log him in and return to my desk, secure in the knowledge that I will always be needed because I can fix his computer.
Now he wants a new cell phone "and it's not because I've lost the charger." Direct quote! He just said it! Actually, his cell phone is a good 10 years old. He's past due for a new one, but it'll have to be simple...none of that reading emails or playing music or texting stuff.
Let the adventure begin!
This morning, not ten minutes ago, he came to me and said, "My computer is down, can you come fix it?" I am by no means an expert, but I can solve simple problems and some of the more complex ones as well. I go to his office and look at the screen. It's showing me the standard log-in window.
So you're asking, "what's the problem?" That's the problem. He can't log-in because he doesn't know his password. He normally doesn't log off his computer, just leaves it logged in overnight so it's ready to go in the morning. There was a power outage overnight, so he had to power on his computer when he got in, hence, his "computer is down." I log him in and return to my desk, secure in the knowledge that I will always be needed because I can fix his computer.
Now he wants a new cell phone "and it's not because I've lost the charger." Direct quote! He just said it! Actually, his cell phone is a good 10 years old. He's past due for a new one, but it'll have to be simple...none of that reading emails or playing music or texting stuff.
Let the adventure begin!
Monday, October 8, 2007
I'm Back!
And the fans rejoice!
Yeah, I can hear the echoes of their cheers.
Well, I'm back from my trip. It wasn't entirely successful, because my friend was going to try to fix the AC in my car. He got the elements of the dashboard apart, and was at the point of needing to remove the steering wheel. After that, he could take the dashboard off, then the heater element (forget exactly what he called it), then he could get to the AC part that needed to be replaced. To remove the steering wheel, he needed a steering wheel puller, which he didn't have.
A neighbor of his works on classic cars, so chances were very good that he would have one. Problem is, my steering wheel has an air bag. Even with the battery disconnected, it was still possible to set off the air bag, which is an expensive fix, one that he can't do. He can pull the dash out a few inches, but the dash needs to come out to remove all the screws from the heater element.
So we talked about it, and decided to put the car back together and I would just continue to suffer. I've been suffering for two years and I'm getting a bit tired of it, but I'll hold on a while longer. Fortunately, the weather is getting cooler, so I won't have to suffer for much longer.
I have pictures from my trip that I'll post tomorrow.
In the meantime, a friend sent me this meme...
WHAT ARE YOUR NAMES?
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Kitty Cavalier. Playing tonight, Kitty and the Cavaliers!
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Vanilla Chocolate Chip. Is it vanilla or chocolate? Make up your mind!
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
JNew. Yeah, her...jnew her once...
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Purple Panda. Sounds more like a night club, with Kitty and the Cavaliers as the entertainment.
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Anne Milford. And introducing Skylar Montana's grandmother, Anne Milford!
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Newja. "Nana Newja Wookie" grunted Jabba as he swallowed another rodent.
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Green Pepsi. I've been to Ireland and I never saw Green Pepsi. My job is done.
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
David Arthur. Yeah, we've all heard of him, him and Arthur David.
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Mambo M&Ms. A bit misleading...my M&Ms aren't exactly Mambos.
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Ann George. A good name to disappear with.
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Henson Houston. Or should it be Houston Henson? Either way, Muppets will be involved.
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Autumn Moonflower. Am I going undercover at the Purple Panda?
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + "ie" or "y")
Orange Shirtsleevie. I'd wear an orange t-shirt.
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Bagel Juniper. Tastes good with Grape Nuts.
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Cross-Stitching Blizzard Tour. Ladies, thread your needles!
Yeah, I can hear the echoes of their cheers.
Well, I'm back from my trip. It wasn't entirely successful, because my friend was going to try to fix the AC in my car. He got the elements of the dashboard apart, and was at the point of needing to remove the steering wheel. After that, he could take the dashboard off, then the heater element (forget exactly what he called it), then he could get to the AC part that needed to be replaced. To remove the steering wheel, he needed a steering wheel puller, which he didn't have.
A neighbor of his works on classic cars, so chances were very good that he would have one. Problem is, my steering wheel has an air bag. Even with the battery disconnected, it was still possible to set off the air bag, which is an expensive fix, one that he can't do. He can pull the dash out a few inches, but the dash needs to come out to remove all the screws from the heater element.
So we talked about it, and decided to put the car back together and I would just continue to suffer. I've been suffering for two years and I'm getting a bit tired of it, but I'll hold on a while longer. Fortunately, the weather is getting cooler, so I won't have to suffer for much longer.
I have pictures from my trip that I'll post tomorrow.
In the meantime, a friend sent me this meme...
WHAT ARE YOUR NAMES?
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Kitty Cavalier. Playing tonight, Kitty and the Cavaliers!
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Vanilla Chocolate Chip. Is it vanilla or chocolate? Make up your mind!
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
JNew. Yeah, her...jnew her once...
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Purple Panda. Sounds more like a night club, with Kitty and the Cavaliers as the entertainment.
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Anne Milford. And introducing Skylar Montana's grandmother, Anne Milford!
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Newja. "Nana Newja Wookie" grunted Jabba as he swallowed another rodent.
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Green Pepsi. I've been to Ireland and I never saw Green Pepsi. My job is done.
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
David Arthur. Yeah, we've all heard of him, him and Arthur David.
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Mambo M&Ms. A bit misleading...my M&Ms aren't exactly Mambos.
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Ann George. A good name to disappear with.
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Henson Houston. Or should it be Houston Henson? Either way, Muppets will be involved.
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Autumn Moonflower. Am I going undercover at the Purple Panda?
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + "ie" or "y")
Orange Shirtsleevie. I'd wear an orange t-shirt.
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Bagel Juniper. Tastes good with Grape Nuts.
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Cross-Stitching Blizzard Tour. Ladies, thread your needles!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Going away for a few days
I know I haven't posted in a while, and I won't be for a couple days. I'm driving down to Myrtle Beach. Gotta get away from it all sometimes, you know? I went to Chicago in March, but that was not a vacation. I guess this won't be a true vacation either, but at least it's a break.
Hopefully I'll be able to get some decent writing done. I have to turn in Chapter 1 in a few days and I am no where near ready. My Chapter 1 has two scenes and the first one is done. The second, however, is still very, very, very raw. Scene one is a properly cooked, delicious filet mignon (sp) while scene two has been cut from the animal and slapped on the plate...raw, bleeding and ugly.
Now that I've completely upset my stomach, it's time for bed.
Hopefully I'll be able to get some decent writing done. I have to turn in Chapter 1 in a few days and I am no where near ready. My Chapter 1 has two scenes and the first one is done. The second, however, is still very, very, very raw. Scene one is a properly cooked, delicious filet mignon (sp) while scene two has been cut from the animal and slapped on the plate...raw, bleeding and ugly.
Now that I've completely upset my stomach, it's time for bed.
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