Still Celebrating

It's been so wonderful not having to worry about word count! I've actually had to FIND some things to do around the house tonight. Of course, reading Laura Griffin's new book is the perfect way to celebrate and relax.

I DID IT!

Welcome, Welcome!

Click here for a peek at my new baby! I'm updating this blog on my brand spankin' new laptop computer. It weighs a bit over 2lbs and is so small and cute! I'm so excited! Now I can travel anywhere, check e-mails and work on my masterpieces! AND I got a good deal considering everyone's trying to sell stuff for the holidays! I'm off to play some more while I work to finish my NaNo words.

Freaky Friday

Are you one of those mad Black Friday shoppers? If so, good luck to you! Well, since it's 10 o'clock I guess you might be finished. So I hope you got everything out of the experience that you wanted.

I ate too much yesterday and had a very stressful time watching the Texas Longhorns play last night. I went to bed early and I only wrote 689 words. That part is okay, but now I've still got 4,748 words to go and no new ideas to play with. UGH. Add to that, my blog friends are hitting 50,000 words and that's making me anxious to join them across the NaNo finish line.

Today is another day with the family, but I'm bringing my notebook and I intend to get at least 2,000 more words done.

Have a great rest of Friday!

To My Fellow Americans

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

I'm Back In Business

Got my computer back from the computer docs tonight. I'm thrilled! So now I can check up on everyone from home again instead of staying late at work to surf the 'net.

NaNo is almost over. I'm almost finished! I'm bound and determined to be done early, too!

Lots of family plans for Turkey Day and I gotta tell ya, I'm already overwhelmed! But it'll be a good time, for sure. I'll have plenty of food, drinks, football and family drama, I'm sure. I'm taking my parents' laptop so I can keep up with my NaNo words.

Mailed off my GH entries (yes, plural. I entered two stories this year) yesterday. Since I'm in Austin and they're going to Houston and I sent them Priority, they'll be there in plenty of time for the deadline.

Okay, I really need to get back to my NaNo word count. And cleaning. Yeah, maybe over my 5 day holiday I'll get around to cleaning the house. Maybe, but only if there's time after the NaNo words, the food, football, drinks and drama....

Still In Computer Limbo

Took the home computer to the shop on Saturday. They said I needed to replace the battery. I should hear from them by Wednesday. I'm still keeping up with NaNo. I can't believe I've got just about 10,000 words to go! I've got today and 1/2 of tomorrow for teaching and then we're off for the rest of the week. Family members are in town, more coming tomorrow. Should be a good week!

Computer Problems

A family member used my computer while I was at work and now I can't even get it turned on. GGGRRRRR. And I haven't printed my GH entry yet. And I have NaNo to keep up with. GGGRRRR. Is there a computer fairy out there to solver my technical issues??????

Back To Bourne

For those of you who have been around here for a while, this will not surprise you. For anyone new, I'm a HUGE Jason Bourne fan. I love the movies, have watched them countless times and have all the soundtracks. I ADORE Matt Damon in this role and I get all giddy when talking about him or the movies.

Earlier this week (Thursday, I think), I took out my His Reluctant Witness soundtrack (AKA Nickelback's Dark Horse CD) and popped in the soundtrack from the Bourne Ultimatum, which promptly sparked new ideas to flow through my fever-ridden brain. Now, truthfully I don't know if it was the specific choice of music or just the change in tunes that has helped me link scenes and expand on new ideas, but I'm going to say it's specifically the Bourne influence. What do you think?

A Chance Meeting

Just met a strong, new character in His Reluctant Witness. She's got a nose ring, an eyebrow ring and she dresses in black. And she's only 14. That's all I know except she's playing an important role in the lastest NaNo pages. Hmmm, when she grows up she might have to have her own story...

And The Next Day...

Maybe it's the heroine who gets shot...

And Later...

All is well in Nanoland. I shot the hero.

Coming Up For A Breath

NaNo is....starting to kill me. I'm closing in on 20,000 words and I can't think of any new scenes to write. Add to that, I'm starting to feel like what I'm writing I've written before. ACK!

BUT I have to remember that crap is okay in this situation. As long as I keep writing about these two particular characters, I'm good. New ideas may flow, no WILL flow, if I just keep the pen to the paper (or fingers on the keyboard).

Other things adding to the now building NaNo stress: I'm sick. I feel just bad enough to be grouchy but not bad enough to stay home from work. Although, yesterday I did beg the boss to let me leave early and I came home and slept all afternoon. I went to work today, but I'm popping pills and trying really hard to avoid double ear infections.

Day job work-I'm starting to feel a wee bit overwhelmed...

Oh, and going back to the story and NaNo, I'm actually wondering if my hero and heroine are meant to be together for a happily-ever-after. I know they're great together here, but I don't know if it can last. ACK!

What's up with you?

One NaNo Week Down

I'm back from my FABULOUS Austin RWA writing retreat and what an AWESOME time I had! I laughed, wrote and ate. Then I did it again. Then I slept. Then I got up and laughed, wrote and ate a bit more. I knocked out almost 5400 words and I've got some GREAT ideas for future NaNo days. I started to get into the heroine's background a bit and, wow, that villain is a sick, sick man. I actually got disturbed and had to stop writing for a bit. (That's where the laughing had to come in.) I'm actually thinking I might be able to finish 50,000 words in a month. Granted, it's only the first week, but if you had told me last month that I'd have 15,000 words of a new story written in 8 days, I wouldn't have believed you either. I'd love to continue writing now, but I have school work to do (Yuck) and I think I might be getting a wee bit sick (Yuck). So I'm going to bed early after a cup of tea and some "down time" with my remote and my grade book.

NaNo Friday

I'm learning quite a lot from my Nano experience and I already feel like a winner. I've never before written close to 10,000 words in a six day period. It can be done. I'm finding time I didn't know I had to write. I can get the juices flowing if I allow myself to write some crap. And the most important lesson so far in my NaNo experience: This is NOT for the faint-hearted!

Kelly Boyce was my inspiration for joining NaNo. She spoke of it on her blog back when I had no idea what it was. Since then, I've read her blog posts about the experience and thought I definitely wanted to try. So here I am, having a GREAT time (so far) and thanks, Kelly!

Tomorrow is my Austin RWA writers' retreat. I'm psyched about getting to spend the entire weekend with like-minded individuals AND with my characters. I'm taking a few CD's for inspiration, a couple of books to read in case I need a break, and all my notes on the WIP. Oh yeah, and a notebook. No, I haven't bought myself a laptop yet so I'm relying on pen, paper and sharpened pencils to get me through the weekend. (And some good food, good company and good beer.) I'll check in with you when I get back on Sunday. To those of you doing NaNo, good luck! To those of you enjoying your weekend doing something else fun, have a great time!

Hey There!

I thought I'd take a few seconds from my NaNo writing to visit with you. I'm hard at work and so far I've kept up with my 1667 (or more) words a day. Granted, it's only Day 5, but I'm feeling pretty good about this project as of right now. I've discovered I really can write even when I don't want to. I'm having fun getting to know my new characters and seeing where they're taking me. How's everyone else doing (NaNo or not)?

NaNo Day 2

I'm doing good! I'm about halfway to where I want to be for today and I have plenty of time to get exactly where I want to be! (Okay, yes, it's only Day 2, but still....) Plus, I'm LOVING what I'm working on right now. I've been reacquainted (sp?) with another character I love. He's a police captain who showed up in the 1st book in the series, Her Reluctant Protector. I knew he'd be in this one too, but I'm really feeling that he needs to have his own story eventually. He's a bit older than my average heroes, but he's such perfect hero material and I'm looking forward to making him come alive even more in this story.

But back to the hero and heroine of His Reluctant Witness because they are explosive together and have so much to share with me!

And We're Off!

It's November 1st and National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) has begun! I stayed up extra late last night so I could start writing right at midnight. I knocked out over 1400 words before I went to bed at 3. I expect to get back to it later. First I have to finish my synopsis for FP so I can mail that off and then there is the dreaded day job grading to do as well. And the house could be cleaned. And I should go to the grocery store. But what's more important? WRITING! If you're participating in NaNoWriMo, let me know so I can check in with you! Good luck!