by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

Because I can’t not write. And because NOLA will soon be ready to fly. And, well, because it’s there.

Like the red-hot button that says, “Don’t touch.”

Like my ex-boyfriend’s car window when he told me it doesn’t roll back up and I had to test his statement. [He was right, by the way. And I ended up making dinner that night.]

And because, if you look sideways and squint, the color is almost a Tiffany blue.

So, I had to do it. Don’t you see? I mean, it’s already a CENTRAL part of me anyway. [See what I did there?]

Still not sure what I’m talking about?

Well, let me turn on the light.

I just joined NaNoWriMo.

NaNoWriMo Participant, 2017

NaNoWriMo Participant, 2017

What is it? Well for starters, it’s short for National Novel Writing Month. Don’t ask me how it all got started. I don’t know. I mean, I could totally research it for you, but it’s late and I’m not having coffee tonight. So you get what you get.

Which is this:

NaNoWriMo is an online community of writers.

I know, you’re loving it already, am I right?

And in the month of November, these writers do this abso-crazy thing in committing to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. One. ONE. I mean, who even does that?!

Oh. [Checks mirror.] I guess that would be me.

Granted, it’s bound to be the first draft of a novel. Because anyone who can write a fully perfect novel in thirty days or less . . . “Well, then Jed. I don’t want to know you.” [A little West Wing for my peeps.]

And the deal is, you really, really really can’t have started writing the novel before November 1st. Oh, you can do backstory, planning, character notes, all that jazz. But you can’t start writing the novel before November 1st. [I feel like I already said that.]

And since CENTRAL will be Book Two in my City Series, I figure why not give it a go? Now, CENTRAL will be well over 50k words, like NOLA. But NaNoWriMo can definitely help me get the bones placed.

Whoa. Wait. I almost forgot to tell you one of my favorite parts: my awesome friend Tess DeGroot is one of my region’s Municipal Liaisons. Again, don’t ask me what that means. I don’t really know for the rest of the world. For me, it means coffee and dinner and Happy Planning and writing with my friend. Because she knows how to keep me accountable. And NaNoWriMo makes her an official butt-kicker. [Note to self: Maybe rethink joining NaNoWriMo. Or bring Tess some hot tea and cookies.]

And just for signing up I got these cute little graphics like the one in this post and the one on the side of the blog. Nifty, eh?

Oh, and just in case you were wondering what CENTRAL is all about, here’s my first blurb:

Serenity has a thing for cops. And the guys they arrest. And Nick has a thing for Serenity. Working at a cop bar isn’t where he wants to be all his life, but as long as she’s there, he’ll stick around. Until it’s apparent she doesn’t know he exists.
A third-generation New Yorker with plenty of police in the family tree, Nick knows a thing or two about his city. And Serenity knows how to survive.
When her sister goes missing and Serenity turns to old habits (and men), Nick has to decide what he loves more: this waif of a woman, or his life?

So. Will I see you around the NNWM universe?

TWEET THIS: Will I see you around the NNWM universe? @RealMojo68 @NaNoWriMo #nanowrimo

For more information, visit NaNoWriMo.org.

With an insane schedule and accountability writing partner,
Happy NaNo-ing,
~Molly Jo

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

Recipe: Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
Encourage One Another
Sweeten my tea and share: