Hung in there and found NANOWRIMO SUCCESS!

 

National Novel Writing Month is held every November. Participants do their best to write a 50,000 word novel draft in 30 days, throughout the month of November.

People from all over the world participate. I marvel at the thought of thousands and thousands of creatives writing at the same time. Published and unpublished authors creating and hopefully one day sharing their stories with the world. It's amazing.

Once registered, you have the opportunity to connect with other writers to make friends and cheer each other on to the finish. This event includes a Young Writers Program. These are only a few of the fun opportunities offered, but the encouragement throughout the journey including earning colorful badges as you reach milestones, online and in person write-ins, helpful and informational craft articles, etc. keep writers engaged. However, I was busy trying to stay on track and didn't take advantage of many of these opportunities. I did however make two lovely writing friends.

I must admit that if you miss even one day of writing or hit a writers block, it is very difficult to make the time up. But it can be done! Regardless of whether a participant reaches the 50,000 word count by November 30th, participation is a huge accomplishment. You may think it is easy for me to make that comment because I "made" the word count. Yes, this year I did. However, this is my third attempt. I was successful reaching the goal in my first try. I did not meet the goal in my second attempt. I didn't participate for a few years, but 2023, I met the goal. My 50,000 words are a rough, rough, and did I say, rough Draft? The trick to making the word count in 30 days, is to do absolutely no editing. It's imperative to turn off your inner editor during the 30 day challenge. If you are typing and you know you just made a spelling error, don't correct it, just keep typing. If you type a paragraph and feel it's not good and you will absolutely be chopping it, do not go back and delete it or try to correct it. Just keep going. If a scene idea pops into your head but it belongs in the middle of your story and you're only a quarter of the way in, type it anyway. Type it now. (I put asterisks in front of those scene ideas to alert me after the deadline to put that scene where it belongs.) It's important to get it on the page while the idea is fresh in your mind.) There will be plenty of time after November 30th to edit the good and the bad. Anything and everything that pops into your creative mind is worthy of the page. It's all about the word count. The point is to get that story idea out of your head and onto the page.

The holidays 🎅🎉💖🍀 have kept me busy and I did very little editing of my nanowrimo first draft. It's still a mess. I've recently begun sharing first draft chapters with my critique group.

Until next time, Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!   

Something Wonderful Will Happen!

 I am a proud member of the Florida Writers Association. FWA

Each year the organization offers two writing contests. The Royal Palm Literary Awards (RPLA) is a prestigious writing competition for adults members and provides written assessments to all entrants. I entered the 2021 contest. The contestants won't know the results for a while yet.

The other contest is Florida Writers Association Collection. For the 2021 contest adult and youth entrants wrote to the theme Footprints. The winning submissions are published in an anthology. I entered this contest too and my entry, One legged Seagull-My Story, is a winner! My entry will appear  in the book! Here is a sneak peak at the cover. The release date is in October 2021. 

To add to that bit of wonderful news, I was then asked to be a judge for the 2021 RPLA contest. I began judging after completing the application process.

I'm enjoying the process very much. I won't be judging the category I am entered in.

So you never know what opportunities will come to you from submitting. So finish up those stories and take the leap.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!

Encouragement for Writers at the Five Below Stores

Hello Writers,

 Yesterday, while visiting the Five Below Store, I was surprised to find a large selection of books for writers. They have books on writing prompts, journals, and a game. My curiosity was peaked. I bought the game. It included a book with very good writing information for the new author and a deck of cards with suggestions to encourage and stretch the imagination. I find this to be a testament to the ever-increasing popularity of writing.
I've always considered the Five Below stores to be a young person's shop. (In case you've never been to a Five Below store, everything inside cost five dollars or less. Games, toys, sports equipment, a small selection of clothes, phone accessories, novelty tee-shirts, room decor, books, candy, etc.)

It's a joy to learn more and more young people are interested in the arts and stretching their imaginations through storytelling. I shouldn't be surprised as my teen niece wrote her first short story and submitted it into a contest through school. She "placed" in the contest, winning an award and an interview for the newspaper.
My twelve-year-old granddaughter has also shown a new interest in writing. She's shared with me her opening paragraph of a work in progress for school last week. We also brain-stormed an idea she has for a fiction piece. I'm very proud and excited.

I'm sending a big SHOUT OUT to Five Below for adding books and games to encourage writing, to your stock sitting along-side books on music, painting, crafts, etc.
                           
I can't wait to read what's in the imaginations of our young people!

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling!
 

Twitter Help for Writers

Authors need Social Media to be successful. It is not only helpful but it is a requirement. According to Agents, editors, and publishing houses you must have an online presence.

I haven't met any authors who would debate that fact.

During a writer's conference workshop, we were told an interested agent WILL look you up online to see if you are active on social media. The agent wants to know you are willing to promote yourself and your writing.

Young people are genius at social media. I'm still learning how to use social media effectively. I've picked up a bit of knowledge but definitely not enough. I'm working on it.

There are people out on social media who are willing to help. If you "follow" someone on Twitter, there's a good chance they will "follow" you back. If you engage with other people on Twitter, there's a good chance they will engage with you.
Read people's profile pages and tweets before "following" them. Make sure they are legitimate profile pages. If so, engage!
I have received great help this week on Twitter from @digitalbookgirl and want to take a moment to mention her name and hopefully return the kindness. She promoted my children's book, Meet Sandy Gull by posting the Amazon "buy" link on her social media sites and "liking" some photo posts I'd put on the Sandy Gull Facebook page. I appreciate that very much. Look her up on Twitter and make contact. Digitalbookgirl also has a blog page.

Most authors on Twitter have been very social and are willing to engage. Great conversations may be had both in simply enjoying conversation with like-minded people or asking questions and receiving helpful insights. Writing contests, pitch slams, writing tips, and humor are more of the fun social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook offer authors.

Other social media avenues writers enjoy participating in are writing communities on Facebook. Jump in with both feet and increase your online presence.

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting and Keep Smiling