NaNoWriMo

November is National Novel Writing Month—at least it’s supposed to be for me. The month is half over and I’ve recorded less than 3000 new words.

Start and stop. Get discouraged. Try again.

Last year, I spent NaNoWriMo on this same project—the final volume of a trilogy—interviewing my characters, listening to them talk, and describing scenes as they happened, in no particular sequence. 

This year I’m paying the price for not sorting out the mess sooner. And wondering why my (less than 3000) words aren’t as lively as last year’s words.

packing—

I’m also packing books for my only appearance this year at an arts and crafts festival, to discover who wants to buy some marked-down books.

Books, poster, bookmarks, what have I forgotten?

back to NaNoWriMo—

After an uninspired weekend, I decided I needed to do some research, plus carefully read the manuscript—as far as it goes—making sure it has a solid foundation. 

Since one of my plot lines deals with nanites, I checked out several library books, fiction and nonfiction, on the topic. The first one I read was a children’s picture book—well done, aside from one particular illustration:

I burst out laughing and said, “No it’s not!” A drawing states: “The gas in hot-air balloons is helium.” New Mexico children know better than that!

Where nanites are concerned, I need ideas of future possibilities, so I’ve now moved from the adult nonfiction to the fiction.

a freeze—

The mulberry trees are testifying to a solid freeze. They’re dripping carpets of leaves around themselves.

Sophie, being related to Tibetan palace dogs, loves this kind of weather—as long as there’s not too much wind.