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

Climb Every Mountain

"My most memorable experience as a college-age summer camp counselor (by far) was climbing Mount Elbert. The highest mountain in Colorado, it is an impressive 14,433 feet above sea level. Our leader, an adventure-loving trailblazer of a man, lived to hike mountains and this was not his first time up Elbert. We were in good hands. It took hours to walk through the forest at the mountain's base, but finally we passed the tree line and our hiking took on a more vertical slant. We had to be careful not to start a landslide as we climbed over loose, shale-like rock at a 45-degree angle, but we made it to the snow and up to the summit. Elbert is relatively easy to climb compared to many fourteeners, but the view from the top can't be beat. The only thing comparable is looking out of an airplane. Clouds floated by below us as we studied huge mountains at our feet. It was absolutely astounding to be on top of the world, but scary, too. Gravity seemed a little less strong up there, as if we needed to hang on to the boulders around us or we might just fall up into that deep blue sky.
My trip up Mt. Elbert was a life event that can't be understated, but all I did was show up. I walked hour after hour, followed directions, trusted I was safe, and never gave up until I was on the summit, a small patch of land no bigger than a porch deck. I'm doing the exact same thing with Nanowrimo - writing 1,667 words each day come hell or high water - and I'm beginning to believe this month will have the same impact."
I wrote this on November 17, 2008 for my memoir "One Hundred Times" and am posting it today because on this day, July 17, 2013, I've reached another summit of sorts. "Pity," my YA novel, (which was written during Nanowrimo) is ready, and my first query went to an agent. Barry Goldblatt, I hope you like it!
NOTE: For more information about Mt. Elbert go to: http://www.summitpost.org/mount-elbert/150325

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!

Manuscript? Check! Tea Leaves? Check!

I did it!  I finished my manuscript today!  Actually, I finished yesterday.  Today I changed one word, and now I'm wondering if I should change it back.  No matter; there are 91,370 words total, so I'm going to leave the word for now.  It's time to celebrate! 
Alas, two minutes into my crazy girl dance, a list has generated itself in my mind of all that needs to be done now that I am rejoining the rest of humanity.  It's time to pay some bills, call my mother, and return those overdue library books.  But first on my to-do list is updating my blog. 
The last time I blogged was two years ago, just before Nanowrimo of 2010, when I set everything aside to write what became the rough draft of my young adult novel, "The Existence of Pity."  Now, on August 31, Blue Moon Day, I can finally say the project is complete. I want to thank the dear ones who made it possible:  my sweet husband Chris, my darling daughters, and wonderful Diane Skelton.  Without them, there is no way I would have crossed that finish line.  My family offered comic relief and delicious dinners while Diane was a constant source of enthusiasm and motivation.  Thank you all so much!  New cars all around!
But wait, Olivia just showed me this link, http://www.mylifetime.com/astrology/free-readings/chinese/reading-tea-leaves and my tea leaves say I haven't crossed the finish line.  No, I've only stepped up to the racing blocks.  I've written a manuscript, but now it's time to get it published, and my tea leaves tell me I'll need lots of patience.  I don't have patience!  All I can say is I hope Chris, Olivia, Natalie, and Diane will stick around.  They've been so patient with me, maybe they can show me how it's done.