NaNo Diaries #3- Week Two

Monday, November 8th

​Word Goal: 2500. Total Words Today: 3040
Total Words So Far: 14, 191

Rillion punched Sterlyn in the face today. 

I kind of saw that coming, but still.... It's not in the outline. 

Ugh, let's talk a moment about outlines. They are meant to be guides for writers, to help us stay on track. I've mentioned before that I used to write for discovery, but then I got tired of all the work I needed to do when editing.

This story is giving me fits, because the outline isn't coming easy for me. I have the big problem, but no idea how my characters are going to deal with that problem. And when I have no idea what needs to happen, my characters begin to run amuck. 

And before I know it, Rillion is punching Sterlyn in the face. 
I'm not going to tell you how he reacts. You'll just have to wait until the book comes out.
However, despite Rillion being rude, my writing went really well considering I'm off balance from the time change. 

Last night, I was ready for bed by 9pm. Actually, I was falling asleep by 8:30. So when I woke up at 3:30 in the morning, I wasn't a bit surprised. Just a little disgusted.

I wonder if that's why Rill took a swipe at Sterlyn? 
Humm...maybe. 

via GIPHY

Tuesday, November 9th
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Word Goal: 2500. Total Words Today: 2010

​Did I mention how much I dislike time changes? Okay, so I did. 

Today, I got a late start. I'm so off kilter with my sleep, that it took a awhile to get going this morning. But that's okay. I did get some words in. The story is going well. I couldn't spend as much time as I'm also doing a special feature week on the Madison Creek series here on the blog. 

I'm also working on this picture book, that I'm REALLY behind on. I had wanted to already have it published, but with it being my first picture book to design and format, there has been a huge learning curve. So, it's taking me longer than I'd anticipated. But, that's okay, too. I love how Sheep's story turned out and I'm super excited to get it out so others can see it, too. 

Both projects are...trying. It's hard to keep up with life when I've fallen into a book. It doesn't matter if I'm reading it or writing it. 

Wednesday, November 10th

​Word Goal: 2500. Total Words Today: 2495

Yeah, just five words short. Hahahaha. But the chapter ended. On a cliffhanger, I'm sure. 
Sorry...but not too sorry. 
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​Today, I started early. Real early. I joined up with a group that was doing sprints. Writing can be lonely work. And when left to my own devices, I'll get lost in looking for scenery pictures on Pinterest, scan what's happening on Facebook, or scroll through Spotify for the perfect playlist.
Right. You can see where all that goes,

However, when I join with other writers, and there's a timer going... and some fun competition, well then, I'm super focused.  And I got my words done in just a couple of hours. 

And of course, I had my cozy fire scene that plays piano or violin music in the background going, too. Mood makes all the difference. If my allergies weren't playing havoc with me, I might go outside and write. The weather here has been beautiful. And the mosquitos bountiful. SMH

Thursday, November 11th

​Word Goal: 2500. Total Words Today: 0

So, here's my problem. I've been able to outline Act 1 of the story. Yesterday, I reached the end of Act 1.... So, I kind of know what I want to happen next, but there's A LOT of things that need to happen. Which means, I need to sit and plan this out. 

I had planned to do that later in the afternoon, but then my husband called to tell me that he was in an accident. He's okay. But his truck isn't. So I had to drop everything and go get him. 

You know, life just happens. I'm grateful that he is fine. We can replace the truck. 

I'm now at 18696 / 50000 total words

Oh, and since I reached 10,000, I got to order my prize for this milestone. The next big milestone will be 25,000 and I'm still thinking about what I want. Maybe some art pens? Or a new sticker book for my planner? Humm.... I'll have to think about it. I'm trying to pick non-food rewards. 

Aren't they cute?!?

Friday, November 12th

No Goals for today, I knew it was going to be a tough one. 

First, we had to say goodbye to my husband's truck. He was in a wreck last night. Nobody was hurt, but we don't think the truck is revivable. We haven't heard the final word from the insurance yet. Still, look at it. The back is as bad as the front.  

I'm still praising God that nobody was hurt.

After taking care of the truck, we had to go say goodbye to a good friend who passed last week from covid. It was a real shock and heart breaker. I'm not a fan of funerals, but it was a nice one with beautiful weather. 
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I kind of knew that I'd not be able to get any work done today. But you know, life happens. I'm grateful that we have God walking us through the dark moments. I wasn't upset over the truck. Just grateful he walked away with only a small scratch on his arm from the airbag. We can replace the truck. 

So, even with these bumps, I'm pleased with what I've accomplished this week. I'm a quarter of the way through Reborn of Ashes and I'm almost ready to publish my very first picture book. This is something I've wanted to do since I began writing. But I'd always heard that picture books are hard to sell for Indies. You know what? I don't even care. 

I know Who gave me the talent to tell stories. Hiding them on a folder in my computer isn't honoring the One who has given me a chance to live this wonderful life. So, I'm just going to do it. Same with the devotional I recently put out. I wrote that years ago while I was writing the White Road Chronicles. 

I finally put it out there and I hope to do more in the future. 
But first... I'll finish these two projects I have started now. Here are my stats for this week. See you next Friday. 
PS: Sorry this is coming out a day late. I simply couldn't afford the time to finish writing this out.