I've completed seven Nanowrimo novels; one every year since 2008. And although I've said this on the last day of every November, this time I mean it. It's time to take a break from the contest.
I've become addicted to the fun of writing 1,667 words every day without my inner editor breathing down my neck, and this year's novel was the easiest of them all. I finally just wrote it for myself. Did I want my characters to go horseback riding? Off they went! Should they discuss Findhorn in Scotland? Absolutely! There was romance and adventure, but there were lots of girlfriends chatting over coffee -- or beers -- and one character who loved to solve her problems by reading the I Ching.
I guess it took me seven years to figure out this writing thing: write what you want to read. Now it's time to edit what I want to read and see if anyone else want to read it, too!
Thank you, Chris Baty, for coming up with the awesome idea of Nanowrimo. I've loved the last seven Novembers immensely. Thank you, my dear family, for putting up with finding me at my computer when I should've been cooking or cleaning or lots of other things moms are supposed to do. And thanks to all the characters in my head who will be there when I'm ready to do it again.
Oh, and to my brother Dan who hasn't heard from me on his birthday for seven years because it falls on November 30, Happy birthday, bro! Love to all,
Jeannie

Don't Mind Me...

So I'm participating in NaNoWriMo again this November.  Since 2008, I've "written" a "novel" in "November."  Imagine air quotes  everywhere because the process is slightly hazy.  The bottom line, though, is that on December 1st, I come away with 50,000 words of -- something.  Ernest Hemingway said, "The first draft of anything is sh*t," and, well, I can't disagree. 
But, my manuscript that's been making the rounds got its rough start in Nano 2010, and what I'm writing now is its sequel, so the process is worth something.
The monthlong writing actually works for me.  I can beg off household, family, and school-related duties for a month, but not for much longer than that.  Also, I need a deadline.  And besides, it's really fun to WIN something just by sheer determination.  (Chris Baty, founder, is a genius!)
But I'm telling you all of this right now for a little pity.  See, I miss out on work, like cleaning house and meal-making (those who know I'm not into cleaning and that Chris cooks around here can stop laughing now), but I also miss out on fun stuff.  As I write this, Chris and the girls are at Lowe's checking out the six-foot Eiffel Tower, and here I sit, on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, trying not to be distracted by the birds singing outside.  Did I mention it's 70 degrees here today?  Sigh.
This picture says it all, folks...  Now, back to my novel!