6 1/2 Things I Learned from NaNoWriMo

1. Hard work is good medicine. Not writing, false starts and "wasted" days made me feel crazy. Working hard every day on this novel made me feel decidedly less crazy.

2. Know when to say "No" but also when to say "Yes." Writing should be your priority over watching TV, diddling around on Facebook and organizing your Chia pet collection. But family, friends and your health trump writing.

3. Don't beat yourself up over unproductive days. Your brain might be doing important behind-the-scenes work. My "unproductive" days were often followed by fat page counts.

4. Don't forge ahead blindly. NaNoWriMo suggests you keep writing and not go back over what you've already written. Not me. I needed to go back down my writing trail sometimes to make sure I hadn't diverged from the path I'd created. The important thing to remember is don't linger too long on those back pages; forge ahead!

5. You can accomplish pretty lofty goals one day (page) at a time. What's your lofty goal?

6. A person can write a salable novel in a month. There is a list of writers who sold their NaNoWriMo novels, including Sara Gruen who wrote Water for Elephants, which landed on the New York Times Bestseller list. I was determined not just to write a novel in a month, but to make it to that list of writers who sold their NaNoWriMo novels. Today, pages and a synopsis go to my agent. (Fingers crossed.)

6 1/2. Say thank you. NaNoWriMo came at the exact time I needed to sit down, shut up and write my next novel. What a valuable tool. I've sent them a donation. I also sent a donation to 826 Valencia because I love what they do to foster and encourage young writers. And to you, a huge THANK YOU because there were many times I sat and wrote only because I knew I'd have to blog about it afterward and be held accountable to you. My gratitude goes out to you for following along on this literary journey.

Now, for the last time, here are the numbers:

Today's word count: 0
Total word count: 52,746
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 0

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Penultimate means next to last.

Thanks, everyone!

DONE!

Guess who wrote a novel in a month?

Sixteen pages today, seventeen yesterday and twenty-seven the day before.

Felt like the sprint at the end of a marathon. Now it feels strange to be done running, er, writing.

But I am officially done (until I begin revising, of course). Typed the final words at 10:30 this morning.

Here are the numbers:

Today's word count: 4,077
Total word count: 52,746
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 1

Today's Trivia Question: What does penultimate mean?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Most babies are born in the month of August.

Tomorrow, I'll share what I learned during National Novel Writing Month.

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.

Thanksgiving Came Early

This morning, my guys and I did the thing we've done every third Saturday for the past three and a half years.

We took bags of canned goods, pasta, cereal and bread to distribute to people in Riviera Beach, which sounds like a really lovely area, but is actually a place plagued by poverty, crime and neglect.

For a long time, I was scared of the people who showed up to receive the food. I couldn't wait to give out the food and leave.

That changed as soon as I took the time to get to know these people -- their names, their stories. Now, spending time chatting and hugging and laughing is my favorite part.

There is Ms. Barfield, who recently survived breast cancer and chemotherapy, but is scared and shaky still. There's Sheba, with her son who couldn't wait to tell me how he dressed as a Transformer for Halloween. Etta May turned 91 recently; she shows up dressed like she's going to church every single time. Curtis is happy when we have corn bread for him, and last time, he gave up his bag of food to a mother who showed up late with four children. Tony helps his blind brother, Matt, navigate the crowd. And Eva brings us sweet potato pie each and every Thanksgiving.

I was nervous to eat Eva's pie the first year. But once I did, I was a goner. Best-tasting thing on Earth.

As soon as our van pulled up today, Eva rushed over and handed us a pie wrapped in silver foil. "I didn't want to forget you," she said.

I stashed the pie on the passenger seat and got busy handing out very heavy bags of food -- packed extra for the Thanksgiving holiday.

When we were done and wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving, I saw Eva walking with her bag.

"Eva," I called. "Do you have a ride home?"

"No," she said. "Curtis is out of town, visiting his sister."

"Hop in," I told her, holding the van door open.

As we followed her directions toward her home, I couldn't believe the distance.

"Eva," I said. "What time did you leave your house to get here this morning?" (We give out the food at about 10:30.)

"Six o'clock," Eva said. "But walking is good for you."

I looked at the huge highways we were traveling over and the skinny grassy areas afforded walkers.

"Eva," I said. "Thanks for that pie. You know we love your pie."

"To make that," she said, "I woke up at 4 o'clock."



Onto the numbers . . .

Today's word count: 800
Total word count: 25,847
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 9

Don't count me out yet, folks. I finally got myself unstuck from that mucky middle. Starting tomorrow, tune in to watch my fingers fly. Of course, what I write might not make any sense, but write I will. After all, a publishable novel doesn't emerge from the first draft, it evolves during the revision process.

Today's Trivia Question: What is Bono's real name?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The thing that is missing from all the casinos in Las Vegas are clocks.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make a cup of tea, join my hubby and have a lovely slice of sweet potato pie.

Halfway There, Peeps!

Can I get a "Woot, Woot!" people? I passed the 25,000-word mark this very minute.

Now, can I get an, "Oh, Poop!" people? According to the National Novel Writing Month Web site, I'm supposed to be at 36,674 BY THE END OF THIS WEEKEND.

What's with that? Don't they realize there are friends to eat lunch with? (I'm talking to you, Pam and Nancy?) And neighbors to chat with? (I'm talking to you, Lori.) And teenage children to yell at? ("Clean your room already!") And books to read? (I'm talking to you, Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli.) And a husband to whoop in Scrabble. (Um, was I talking to you, Dan?)

But nooooooooo, I need to glue my phalanges to the laptop. Whatever!

Here are the blasted numbers:

Today's word count: 312
Total word count: 25,047
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 10

Today's Trivia Question: What is missing from ALL the casinos in Las Vegas?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Due to a surgery, Alfred Hitchcock was missing his belly button. (Um, EWWW!)

Pizza, Anyone?

Are there really only eleven days left in November?

How am I supposed to write more than 25,000 words in only eleven days?

I'm not even halfway there.

So, I think the appropriate course of action is to celebrate with pizza.

WHAT?

That's right, Skippy! I've got a pretty good chunk 'o novel going and I like pizza, so why not?!

I'd share some with you, but, well . . . did you write 24,735 words so far this month? I didn't think so.

Unless you're Mindy Alyse Weiss. Honey, she pumped out 53,660 words in just seventeen days. You go, girlfriend!!!

Mindy, I'll share a slice of pizza with you . . . even though you've made my word count today look a whole lot like chicken scratch.

Today's word count: 655
Total word count: 24,735
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 11

Today's Trivia Question: Which body part was Alfred Hitchcock missing?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The first actress to receive two Oscars before turning 30 was Jodie Foster.

I'm off . . .

to pick up older son from the bus, so here are today's numbers:

Today's word count: 1,719
Total word count: 24,080
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 12

Today's Trivia Question: Who was the first actress to receive two Oscars before turning 30?

Answer to Yesterday's Question: The musical instrument that has 46 strings and seven pedals is the harp.

The Writing Mojo is Back!

After doing the bazillion things I had to take care of earlier today, I sat with my computer, a pen and spiral notebook to jot ideas and notes and Bach, Unaccompanied Cello Suites by Edgar Meyer playing in the background. And I stayed put, fingers flying over the keyboard until it got dark outside.

I'm moving forward again. Yippee! But will I reach the halfway mark by tomorrow? Tune in to find out.

For now, here are the numbers . . .

Today's word count: 1,901
Total word count: 22,361
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 13

Today's Trivia Question: Which musical instrument has 46 strings and seven pedals?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The first film to be totally computer generated was Toy Story.

Yikes!

I was afraid this might happen. Past the mid-way point now, I should be at 25,000 plus words. I'm not.

I've got to kick it into high gear this week and plow through this mucky, murky middle . . . or else I won't reach my goal by the end of the month. And I want to reach my goal by the end of the month.

Okay. Jet lag is officially banished. Writing brain is fully engaged. Can't wait for tomorrow's writing session!

Today's word count: 302
Total word count: 21,460
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 14

Today's Trivia Question: Which film was the first to be totally computer generated?

Answer to the Trivia Question from Two Days Ago: Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13.

Quick Update

Hi, Folks!

Writing this from the Houston Airport. Yay, free wifi! But the flight's delayed, so I won't be able to post by the end of the day. Rest assured, I've been writing . . . and eating . . . and writing . . . and, well, mostly eating.

I'll post a regular update tomorrow, and you can laugh at all the mistakes I'll make because of jet lag.

Hugs,
Donna

CELEBRATION!

Today, we celebrate my wonderful nephew, Ethan's, bar mitzvah.

Accordingly, there will be only two words written: Mazel Tov!

Here are the numbers:

Today's word count: 0
Total word count: 21,158
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 16

Today's Trivia Question: Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of what?

Answer to yesterday's trivia question: Nicole Kidman is afraid of butterflies.

California, Here I Come!

In California, where I am, it's currently 10:15, p.m., so that means I squeaked this post in today. Right?

Airports aren't the worst places to write. Same for planes. I managed to craft a couple scenes I'm really happy with.

Here are the numbers:

Today's word count: 1,378
Total word count: 21,158
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 17

Today's trivia question: Nicole Kidman has a fear of what?

Answer to yesterday's trivia question: In Australia, a wonga wonga is a white-faced pigeon.

Miles to Go Before I Sleep

My favorite poem is Robert Frost's "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening." I love the last lines: "And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep."

Figuratively, that's what this part of the novel-writing process feels like. I know where it's going. I have a solid start. But it's going to take miles of words to get there.

Literally, I have miles to go because tomorrow I'm flying 3,000 miles so I can attend my nephew's bar mitzvah in California. He's an amazing guy. And it will be lovely to spend time with family.

I'm not travelling the farthest, though. One of the guests is coming from Australia. (See trivia question below.)

I'll take our laptop and keep up the daily updates (as Internet access allows).

Today's word count: 128
Total word count: 19,780
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 18

Today's Trivia Question: In Australia, what is a wonga wonga?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The European country in which their national orchestra is larger than their army is Monaco.

Bad Writer. No dessert!

A writer deserves one day off, doesn't she?

"No!" you say.

You're absolutely right!

And you are in charge of not letting it happen again. If my word count doesn't climb tomorrow, you have my permission to write mean things in the comment section. (But not too mean.) Just help me stay focused and on track to reach my 50,000 word goal by the end of the month. Thanks!

But it wasn't exactly a day off. I did other writing-related work. Really. Don't look at me in that tone of voice.

One of the things I did was work on material for a conference I'll be speaking at this coming April -- the Erma Bombeck Writer's Workshop at the University of Dayton. This conference, inspired by the late, GREAT Erma Bombeck takes place only once every two years. I'm honored to be on the faculty for the upcoming conference.

If you're interested in attending, registration opens on December 1st and fills up fast. The last conference sold out in three days.

Here are the faculty bios and the workshop sessions.

Okay. Here are the embarrassing, pitiful, shameful numbers: (You might notice they look a lot like yesterday's numbers, except that one whole precious day is gone and there's a big goose egg for today's word count.)

Today's word count: 0
Total word count: 19,652
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 19

Today's Trivia Question: Which European country's national orchestra is larger than its army?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The most common dog name is Lady, which just happens to be our dog's name.

Soon-to-Be Famous Guest Blogger

Olivia Bean here.

That lady who writes about me every day is so busy scribbling, crossing out and scribbling again that she asked me to fill in for her today.

I told her I didn't mind as long as it didn't keep me from watching Jeopardy! I love watching Jeopardy! and playing along with the contestants. Do you?

Anyway, that lady wants me to tell you how many words she wrote today for some stupid reason. I'd rather tell you about the world's smallest country -- Vatican City -- or the color of spider blood -- transparent.

Trivia is so much more fun than some dumb numbers, don't you think? I do, too, but I promised, so . . .

Here are today's numbers:

Today's word count: 233
Total word count: 19,652
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 20

My little bother, Charlie Bean, wants to give you today's trivia question. I told him I'm the queen of trivia, but he said he'd dunk my encyclopedia in the toilet if I didn't let him.

So, I let him. Well, wouldn't you?

Anyway, Charlie's been trying to talk Mom into getting him a pet lately. He told Mom that an armadillo can be housebroken (which is true), but Mom's not buying it. So, Charlie's trivia question today has to do with pets.

Charlie's Trivia Question: What is the most common dog name?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Arnold Schwarzenegger bought the first Hummer manufactured for civilian use.

Zzzzzzzz

Oh, hi. I wasn't sleeping. Really. I was just checking to make sure the insides of my eyelids were okay. How could I be sleeping when there are 50,000 words to pound out by the end of the month?

But boy, those NaNoWriMo folks are right. The second week IS harder than the first.

Last night, I did a bunch of research. So today I needed to go back and kick some things to the curb while enhancing other things. It's slow-going work.

But it's going.

Today's numbers:

Today's word count: 272
Total word count: 19,419
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 21

Today's Trivia Question: Which actor bought the first Hummer manufactured for civilian use? (Hint: He makes a surprise appearance in my novel, As If Being 12 3/4 Isn't Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President!)

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The first character to speak in Star Wars was C-3PO.

Murky Middles, a Flashlight and Star Wars Trivia

A big shout of "THANKS" for all the support I've received via comments on this blog, notes on Facebook and thoughtful e-mails.

It's not the easiest thing to to slog through the murky middle of a novel. But as my friend, Dan R. says, "It's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick."

At this point, I feel like I'm exploring a dark forest with only a flashlight for company. But my battery is dimming. The light illuminates only one bit at a time, and I take a tentative step in that direction, hoping like heck I haven't veered completely off course.

When I finish and can illuminate the whole work in the light of day, I'll know where I stepped off course and where I needed to forge a new path anyway.

But for now . . . I'm up to my knee caps in the murky middle . . . and I'll creep forward with my flashlight, the one with the dying battery -- and, of course, all your candles of support, shining light where I need it most. Thank you!

Here are today's numbers:

Today's word count: 3,569
Total word count: 19,147
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 22

Today's Trivia Question: Who is the first character to speak in Star Wars?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: "E" is the most common letter in Scrabble.

15,000 Words Makes One Weak, er, Week

I have officially completed my first week of National Novel Writing Month. According to the site, we are supposed to have 15,000 words by end of the day Monday. I'm already there.

It's a good thing, too, because Week #2 is supposed to be the hardest.

I can see why.

1. My book is approaching the murky middle -- a tangle of possibilities that must be figured out and artfully executed.
2. I'm leaving soon for an out-of-state trip.
3. Hubby's leaving after than for a separate out-of-state trip.
4. And I'm getting sick.

Wish me luck for getting through Week #2.

Here are the numbers:

Today's word count: 982
Total word count: 15,548
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 23

Today's Trivia Question: In the game of Scrabble, which is the most common letter?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The average worker bee produces 1/12th a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.

The Story Revealed

Didn't have time for exercise this morning, and writing felt like pushing a stroller through wet sand.

Managed to walk the pooch, though, and met the lady whose house was nearly broken into earlier in the week.

She filled me in on the story:

Her husband had been laid off, so he was home when a man climbed their fence (and broke it) and busted a window on their back door.

Hearing a noise, her husband ran to the back yard and was greeted by a twenty-year-old guy with his arm stuck through the window of the back door.

The home owner screamed some words I can't say on this family-friendly blog, charged and tackled the guy. He managed to land a few punches to the kidneys before the man wriggled free and vaulted over the fence.

Running back into his home, the man called police on a portable phone and went out to watch where the man went.

The intruder didn't run, but walked down the street while calling someone on his cell. He was nicely dressed, too. A few blocks away, he slipped into a car and sped away. The same car, the man realized, that has been cruising around the neighborhood lately.

The intruder still hasn't been caught.

Those people now sleep with baseball bats at the ready.

We are extra grateful to have our large, loud dog by our sides.

I wish people realized that when they break into someone's home, they steal a lot more than "things."


Onto the numbers:

Today's word count: 3,414
Total word count: 14,566
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 24

Today's Trivia Question: How much honey does the average worker bee produce in a lifetime?
A. 1/12 teaspoon
B. 12 tablespoons
C. 1-3/4 cups

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: The first vegetable to be canned was PEAS.

The End

It was a dark and stormy . . . day.

I woke to an ache behind my left eye, gray clouds outside and the painful memory of the Phillies NOT winning the World Series last night.

I had to take our son to the bus. I had to walk the pooch. But I did not have to write.

So instead, I enjoyed my two favorite drugs (at the same time):

1. Music
2. Exercise

After a kick-butt workout at the gym, I came home and affixed butt glue to my derriere. Then I revised and wrote for four hours.

During that time, something amazing happened -- the kind of something that occurs only when one shows up, applies butt glue and puts in the sweat equity. The amazing thing that happened was this: THE END of my novel came to me. The whole thing -- dialogue and all. I could hardly write it down fast enough. And then a few threads that will lead to that ending showed up, too.

At THE END of the four hours, I looked outside and guess what? The sun had come out.

Today's word count: 1,511
Total word count: 11,152 (It's over 20% complete!)
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 25


TRIVIA TIME:

Today's Trivia Question: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Oh no, that's not it.

The real question is: Which vegetable was the first to be canned?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: Fear of public speaking or stage fright is called glossophobia.

Out to Lunch?

Woman cannot live by books alone. Sometimes, she needs to eat actual food. And sometimes she needs to eat that food in a giant room with balloons and music and hundreds of other literacy-loving people.

Today, I took a break from scribbling to attend the National Family Literacy Day Celebration Luncheon with my fabulous, fun friend, Riley Roam. We sat next to a woman who has been a teacher and principal longer than I've been alive.

We were treated to a ballet based on Eric Carle's book, From Head to Toe.

Then a woman came to the podium and reminded me -- reminded everyone in the room -- the transformative power of words, of books, of reading. She said she was from Mexico and is the single mother of a seven-year-old boy. She said she chose to join a program offered at her son's school -- Parent Power. There, this woman studied hard and learned English. Then, she worked a little harder and got her G.E.D. Now, because of her efforts and choices and a scholarship, she is heading off to college.

I nearly cried right into my mixed greens salad.

This woman was a great reminder of how important language is, of how words have the power to transform lives.

I came home after the luncheon and got right back to work (after an itty bitty nap).


Hooray to those who work hard to increase literacy . . . and for those who are following, here are today's numbers:

Today's word count: 3,303
Total word count: 9,641
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 26

TRIVIA TIME:

Today's Trivia Question: There are many types of phobias. Fear of public speaking or stage fright ranks among the most common. In fact, some people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death. What is the technical name of a person who is afraid of public speaking or stage fright?

Answer to Yesterday's Trivia Question: There are 516,000 bacteria per square inch in the human armpit. (This gross factoid appears in my next book, How to Survive Middle School. If that doesn't make you want to pre-order it, I can't imagine what will?!)

Rebel Without a Clue

I'm not saying I'm a rebel or a rule-breaker, but when National Novel Writing Month gurus suggested charging ahead with one's novel and not stopping to go back and edit, I choked on my own saliva.

50,000 words in a month? Sure.
Not going back to revise until I finished the whole thing? No flippin' way!

That's not how I roll. As I learn more about my characters, I go back and make necessary changes. Otherwise, I might as well be writing a grocery list.

With that in mind, I spent much of today revising the pages I've written so far. Characters made themselves known. Conflict arose on the very first page. Funny dialogue needed to be written. Was I to turn my back on all that? Of course not. Through those revisions, my main character's voice broke through loud and clear today. And I'm lovin' this nervous, nerdy, hula-hooping trivia geek.

Of course the revision and research this morning meant that it took me a solid five hours to get my paltry word count.

And it seems I'm not the only rebel in our house.

Last night, our teenage son was asked to step out of his friend's car by local police. Our son was polite to the officer, but confused about the reason for the stop. The officer mentioned a broken taillight, but nothing else.

Within minutes, our theater geek son, who spends many Saturday mornings feeding the hungry, was frisked. His crime? Um, being a teenager with long hair. If I had a broken taillight, would I have been frisked by a nice young police officer? Unfortunately, probably not. But what I'm getting at here is this -- stay with me, people -- wouldn't justice be better served if this officer, instead of frisking my innocent son and his buddy, were using that time to find the creep who tried to break into a home on our street yesterday?

I'm just sayin' . . .

And as promised . . .

Here is today's trivia question. The answer will be revealed in tomorrow's post. In honor of my trivia-loving main character, I will include a new trivia question daily. Make a guess. Tell your friends to make a guess. And tune in tomorrow to see who's right.

Trivia Question 1: On what part of the human body will you find 516,000 bacteria per square inch?

Today's word count: 1,947
Total word count: 6,338
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 27

Distractions

Today's writing was interrupted by a few, ahem, distractions. Here they are in order of importance:

1. A doctor's appointment. (Never fear. All is well.)
2. The need to do some research. (Oh, thank you, Wikipedia!)
3. An attempted home break-in ON MY STREET! (That's right. Police cars abounded when I returned home from my doctor's appointment. But it was the police helicopter flying overhead again and again that freaked me out. I don't know all the details yet, but I don't think they caught the perp. And I'm super grateful that I have a loud, barky dog. who would give up her life to protect me. Isn't that right, Lady? "Yawn." But seriously, did I mention THERE WAS AN ATTEMPTED HOME BREAK-IN ON MY STREET?)

Since I haven't yet been deputized to fight crime, I decided the best way to handle the situation was to make sure our doors were locked and, well, write. So that's what I did. And every so often, I stopped to say, "Good dog, Lady! Look fierce!"


Today's word count: 1,851
Total word count: 4,391
Goal: 50,000 words
Days remaining: 28

Tune in tomorrow for a fun trivia game . . .

Bad Friend. Good Writer.

On your mark.
Get set.
GO!!!

Today begins National Novel Writing Month!

I've signed up to complete a 50,000 word novel by November 30th. Think I can do it? Tune in each day to find out.

In order to write today's pages, I canceled on a very good friend. I'd signed up weeks ago to do a volunteer stint with her at our kids' school this afternoon. All afternoon. I realized I had to choose between honoring my commitment with my friend or honoring my commitment to this novel. So I picked up the phone yesterday and cancelled.

Sorry, H.T.

Today's Numbers: 2,540 words
29 days left