Caution: This Might Be Habit-forming

They say it takes 28 days of doing something every day to make it a habit, so I guess this writing thing has become a habit for me.

I cranked out about seventeen pages today . . . and am in spitting distance of my goal now.

A big barrel of thanks to hubby for making this easier for me -- driving the kids places, buying and putting away the groceries, etc. so I can keep cranking out the pages. These little books I write aren't mine alone; they're ours. Our hopes and dreams lie within their potential.

Thanks to Carilynn for today's lovely distraction -- watching The Blind Side at Muvico in West Palm Beach. Very uplifting movie. Great movie. Great friend.

Shout out to Lori and Mary Jane for having us over for yummy berry cake. Just the nutritional boost this writer needed.

And since I'm plumb out of words for today, I'll let the numbers speak for themselves:

Today's word count: 4,305
Total word count: 48,669
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 2

Today's Trivia Question: In which month are the most babies born?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Coulrophobia means fear of clowns.

No Clowning Around

And speaking of clowns, did you watch the most recent episode of Modern Family? Let me just say it involved a kick-ass clown, a cross bow, a scorpion and very dangerous beads. I've already watched it twice and still laugh until it hurts.

I wasn't clowning around with my work today. Broke the record for most words this month written in a single day. Wahoo!

And I didn't even write all day. No sir. It was way too beautiful outside for that nonsense.

I took a break to walk with my friend Deb, who isn't a clown, but is very funny. And we got lost only twice -- an improvement for us!

And I took another lovely break to walk with my friend, Riley, who in fact is a professional clown. Sometimes. When she's not writing or performing in live theater for children or the other bazillion things she does so well. We finally had cupcakes at the Cupcake Cafe. Mine was red velvet with cream cheese icing. And so was Riley's.

During the rest of the day, I did three writing sessions -- one as soon as I woke, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.

So, if you don't mind, I'm outta here. It's time to play Scrabble with hubby. Maybe I'll make the word "clown," worth ten points, unless it's on a triple word score. Look out!

Here are the awesome, astounding, astronomical, amazing numbers:

Today's word count: 6,782
Total word count: 44,364
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 3

Today's Trivia Question: Coulrophobia is the name for the fear of what thing?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: A group of turkeys is called a rafter. (Also, the staff at Fox News. I'm just saying.)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for chugging along on this literary journey with me. Some days, knowing I'll have to post on this blog and be accountable to you, is the only thing that gets me to the keyboard. So, thank you for following along and for your support.

Happy, healthy Thanksgiving!

Here are today's numbers:

Today's word count: 470
Total word count: 37,382
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 4

Today's Trivia Question: What are a group of turkeys called?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: It takes 43 muscles to frown, but only 17 to smile.

Brain Engaged Today -- Hooray!

So my brain wasn't on vacation. It was working hard, just in a quiet, behind-the-scenes sort of way. (The human brain, by the way, is 85% water.)

Within half an hour of waking today, I had all the plot problems ironed out and knew exactly how this puppy is going to end. I figured out enough to write a three-page synopsis. And I had a wonderful call from my agent, who is excited about this project. Very excited.

Here are today's lovely numbers:

Today's word count: 1,454
Total word count: 36,912
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 5

Today's Trivia Question: Does it take more muscles to smile or frown?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The extremely popular board game invented in 1979 is Trivial Pursuit.

Brain on Vacation

Try as I may, I could not get my brain to fully engage in writing. I sat at the computer three different times today for long stretches, but alas . . . my gray matter pooped out on me. I suspect my brain is secretly working out a plot problem, but then again, it might just be sipping margaritas on a cruise ship floating somewhere off in the Carribean.

I'm hoping tomorrow will be better. Much better. That deadline is closing in on me like . . . oh, see, I can't even come up with a simile. That's how much my brain is on vacation!

Here are today's pitiful, painful, paltry, positively poopy numbers:

Today's word count: 989
Total word count: 35,458
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 6

Today's Trivia Question: What extremely popular board game was invented in 1979?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Dolphins sleep with one eye open and one eye closed.

14 Pages. Not Too Shabby.

Another good writing day.

Wish I could keep at it, but alas, life gets in the way. Or is it the other way around? Regardless, I've penned about 14 new pages today and hope to get even more done tomorrow. The deadline nears, and I'd like to get this puppy squared away before the holiday, which is probably impossible, but one never knows.

Let's just hope the ideas keep flowing.

Here are today's numbers:

Today's word count: 3,483
Total word count: 34,469
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 7


Today's Trivia Question: What sea creature sleeps with one eye open and one eye closed?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Statistically, the safest age is ten.

Hit It Outta the Park Today!

Broke my record so far this month for the most words written in one day. Usually, the writing is fast and furious as I near the end of a novel because I know what's going to happen and I want to see it unfold.

Tune in tomorrow to see if I can make today's total look like chicken scratch.

Here are the numbers:

Today's word count: 5,139
Total word count: 30,986
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 8


Today's Trivia Question: Statistically, what is the safest age of life?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Bono's real name is Paul Hewson.