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
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, reallyreally 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?
Hey, hey, the gang’s all here! Oh yeah. Here we go again, another round of the team. Can you say #soexcited? I knew you could.
This week I’m reading The Revealing by Bill Myers.
Of course, there’s a few spoiler alerts here, so if you don’t want to know anything about the story, stop reading. Now. I’m serious.
But if you want to know a few things (but not the ending. Never the ending.) then continue.
Still here?
Okay then.
Read on . . .
Told from Brenda’s POV, it starts with her sketching another object–a blue velvet arm chair with peeling paint. And plane tickets for everyone to Rome where a taxi deposits them at the Vatican.
As usual, the first two pages set up the suspense, the backstory, and the characters. Professor James McKinney sent his friend, Cardinal Hartmann, the scroll that Littlefoot previously gave them. [Read Harbingers: Cycle One, Book Four.] Hartmann asks them to come speak with him personally.
Turns out the scroll has a connection to what’s known as the Spear of Destiny- the spear that pierced Christ’s side at His crucifixion. And Hartmann believes it is the team’s destiny to find the authentic spear.
They start with the catacombs where the skeletons of Capuchin Monks used to be. So very many of them. Room after room. And Andi, in her numbers-loving way [read Harbingers: Cycle One, Book Three] finds a pattern on a door. Not just a pattern. A plan. A floor plan. The floor plan to the House that haunted them in Seattle [read Harbingers: Cycle One, Book Two]. After a few more tunnels, quiet Daniel warns of people coming for them. The team is being chased and can’t find a way out until . . . Oh, no. You won’t get me to give out a spoiler alert. You’re gonna hafta read for yourself. [read Harbingers: Cycle One, Book One.]
Aside from that moment, let’s continue: Remember the eyes, or, uhm, lack of eyes back in C1B3? Guess what. Yeah. That’s right. They’re back. Or, uhm, not back, here. And so are the dropping dead birds. ReaderGirl say whhhaaat?! So our team finds themselves stranded on another beach, in the fog, looking for a rhyme or reason when they spot lights emanating out of cliff. They brave the trek around the dead birds and are soon pounding on the door of a two-story abode carved into the rock. They’re given entry by a nun, and Brenda can’t shake the feeling they’ve been there before. But of course they have. It’s the interior of the haunted house. The nun locks them in and disappears, and then . . . wait for it . . . What’s a haunted house to do? Melt. Yup. You read that right. The locked doors, the walls, the furniture, the floors . . . they all start to liquify. And our team has no where to go except up the back steps.
Of course this is just the start of all the adventures and while I want to tell you oh so much more, I really dislike giving spoilers.
So all I can tell you is it takes just one or two days to read this book, depending on your reading speed and distraction level. I read it in about four hours, including taking notes for this review.
And with the funtroubleadventures our team finds themselves in page after page-turning page, this is another book you really want.
You’re weary. A little unsure, a little keeping yourself in the shadows. There’s a lot on your plate and you don’t know how to manage it all.
But you know what? Look around: You’re not alone. Everyone has their own shadows. Everyone has their own food to chew. So don’t compare yours to theirs. And don’t be afraid. The dark is a little scary. Those lumpy potatoes are not what you asked for.
But look! There’s light ahead.
Take a deep breath, and step up to the plate.
‘Cause you know why?
You got this.
This thing called life and everything it brings to the table? Grab your fork and dig in!
‘Cause you got this.
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.
At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing
if we don’t give up.”
~Galatians 6:9 NLT
You just keep pushing off that wall, taking those steps. Any forward movement is good. Even if it’s a zig-zag pattern. Even if it’s a circle. Because sooner or later that circle will take you forward. And when you get there, grab the next one and leave the old behind.
Scheduling and time management is huge whatever task you undertake, but especially so with social media postings.
Whether it’s a blog, a visual, or a link, the first rule to remember is don’t drown your audience. That is, don’t link post after post after post within a few minutes of each other. Think of social media as a busy street: Traffic flows in several directions and it’s your job to not create gridlock. Let others get on the road, too.
I use several scheduling apps to post for me when I know I’m otherwise unavailable. TinyTorch and Hootsuite are my two favorites. You can easily set up your links for the future, through each of the social media accounts you manage. And, bonus, you can repeat schedule.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Social Media Saturday: Scheduling
Let’s say you write a post about the benefits of berry-infused water. And you just know around New Year’s Eve you’re gonna want to share some health tips with your peeps. But this is only September. Even now you know you prob’ly won’t want to babysit your media posts on a major holiday. Am I right? [Just this time, let’s pretend I am.] Hootsuite to the rescue! Bam! Your post is scheduled for this weekend, New Year’s Eve, and the first day of next summer. Pretty awesome, yes?
But wait! There’s more! What if you want this one post to be on Facebook today, Twitter next month, and Google+ in December. Yup, your scheduling apps can make that happen too.
Super Bonus: Your apps can often suggest when to schedule your posts, and suggest what types of posts to share at a certain time. Schweet, yes?
Now if y’all will excuse me. I have some scheduling of my own to do.
