Sometimes, You Want a NaNoWriMo in June
Where Fleur decides to challenge herself to get new words on the page, thinks of fancy metaphors, and (still) fosters kittens
For my U.S. friends: I hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend! And don’t forget to take a moment to remember why we have this holiday in the first place…
This past week, I’ve been racing against the sun to plant as much as possible in my garden before it gets too hot. I bought the cottage I live in right now (I call it a cottage, since that makes it sound quaint instead of in need of help) last year, and have spent most of my time so far sprucing up the inside. Now it’s time for the exterior, which has been a little forgotten. The fun part: seeing plants pop up and wondering what they are. The less fun part: the hauling of rock and digging of holes in the red clay soil. It is coming together, but of course not as fast as I’d like.
Gardening is a lot like writing a book: it’s harder than you think, you’re never done, but there are delightful surprises.
Otherwise, it’s been fun fostering kittens. Wee Edgar is eating on his own and has grown himself a very respectable meow. His sisters are growing too, though we’re still trying to convince the tabby kitten Virginia that we mean no harm and she can stop hissing at us now…
The kittens are ready to escape…
Fostering kittens is also a lot like writing a book: it’s messier than you think, you can’t control it all, but there are delightful surprises.
I’ll stop comparing everything to writing with metaphors now.
What I’m Writing
Speaking of writing: I was able to complete some of the extra scenes to fill in my WWII novel-in-progress. Next up is more research, but I decided to give myself a little break. All this Holocaust research is brutal on the soul. Thank goodness for the gardening and the kittens for healing. I cannot imagine what it was like for those who lived it.
With this project set aside, I’m hoping to work on something new in June. Not sure what yet, but I did decide I needed a New Challenge…
Fleur’s New Challenge
It’s hard to be a writer sometimes; you have to motivate yourself to keep going on a large project with no surety it will even get published. This year is one of writing new material for me, and as we head into summer, I need some structure or I’ll start acting like a ten-year-old on summer break.
My goal for June is to write every day, with hopes of completing about 1K words daily.
This is lofty for me, given all the other not-a-novel writing stuff I have on my plate (non-fiction, short stories, tech writing), but I’m going to try it anyway. I hope to end the month with about 30K new words. Kind of like National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), but in June instead of November and with fewer words. I have a fresh new MG idea I’d like to tackle, which I’m outlining right now…
Join me if you also need a New Challenge!
My writing chair, with Floof there to make sure I get the work done.
Where I’m Going
June is quiet when it comes to school visits, but I do have a few really fun events lined up:
June 6th: Colorado Association of Libraries/ Highly Effective Schools Through Libraries (Cal HESTL) convention, Lone Tree, CO
I’ll be one of the Colorado authors there to connect with librarians, my favorite people.
June 8th: Sisters in Crime Colorado: Book Launches and Polygraphs
I’m part of the morning panel on book launches. SinC is always a good time, so come join us if you’re in Colorado…
For My Writer Friends
I have a new post up at the SCBWI Blog, this one on social media tips that stand the test of time. Check it out: SCBWI Blog
What I’m Reading
I was lucky enough to snatch an early copy (ARC) of Jordan Sonnenblick’s Stepping Off at the Texas Library Association convention last month, and I’m about to crack the spine. I’m a big fan, so meeting him was a major fangirl moment. I of course forgot to take a picture, but at least I have a signed book.
What I’m Watching
I’ve been getting caught up on The Rookie these past few weeks. As ridiculous as some of the plotlines are, I love the ensemble cast. Fun, easy TV for my post-gardening-tired self.
Your Weekly Floof
Floof is still ignoring the Kitten Situation (happening in a separate room), but she’s keeping a close eye on the birds from the bathroom window.
