NanoWrimo 2010

I am sorry to report that I will not reach the 50,000 word finish line today for NanoWrimo 2010. I could say that work was absolutely insane this month, I've been too tired to write everyday, and my Thanksgiving feast claimed my attention, but those all feel like hollow excuses.

I am surprised by how disappointed I am not to reach this goal. I did start, though. I did write a lot of those days when I didn't feel like it, too. Currently, I'm sitting at 25,025 words. My husband suggests that I give myself an extension until December 15th, which I think I will do. But I won't be able to upload my document to the site and get that awesome certificate that tells me I am a WINNER!

I guess I have learned my lesson. Next year I will take it more seriously.

In the meantime, I am back in the habit of writing regularly, which is one of the goals I hoped to accomplish this month. I also have another really fun novel in the works which I will continue to work on until I get to the end. And to me, that's something.

Elevator Enlightenment

I walked into my office building today and for the first time I was able to go right through security with my new badge. I got to the elevators and walked right in before the doors closed. There were about 7 other people in the elevator already and as the doors closed I stood carefully avoiding contact with any of them. Personal space, you know.

In the few seconds it took before the elevator stopped on my floor I had kind of a funny thought.

"This is like a scene in a movie."

I haven't had too many moments like that, where I felt like my life mirrored something I had seen in a movie, so it made me smile.

Have you ever thought that before? Or have you ever seen something in a movie that had actually happened to you?

James Joyce: The Dubliners

I have a 20 or 30 minute shuttle ride for my new job. I'm really enjoying it because it's the perfect opportunity to do a little reading. I stopped by the classics shelves the last time I was at the library and picked up this collection of short stories. I had never read it before and always heard good things.

I really liked this collection. They were lovely snippets of characters and little stories. I liked how each story was just a glimpse and didn't really have a beginning, middle, or end. I, as the reader, was left to make my own decisions and conclusions about the characters. The short stories were also perfect for my shuttle ride.

Have you read this collection? What do you think?

New Life

I got a new job - I really like it and I'm making new friends.

I have a new apartment, a new place to live. It finally feels like home.

I am living in a new part of the country, a beautiful part. The Washington D.C. area is amazing.

Life changes so quickly and sometimes it's difficult to adjust as fast. Things you value might move to the back burner for a while. Now that I'm adjusting, I am excited to get back to my writing and reading. I wish that it was already a solid part of my life that didn't fall through the cracks so often, but I guess that's part of being a writer. I have to choose to write and keep making time to write even when there is so much going on.

New life is good.

Inspire the Imagination

About a month ago my husband and I visited the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. They have a beautiful facility and it was extremely busy, probably because it was also a holiday weekend. But the hangars are so spacious I didn't feel crowded at all.

The first thing you notice when you enter is the SR-71 Blackbird. It's sleek, black, and impressive. You can tell right away that it's something awesome. The fastest jet in the world travelling at 2124 miles an hour. Just cool.

They have some other really fun stuff on display. They have the space shuttle Enterprise, one of the Concords, various other planes of historical significance, and lots of missiles and rockets. We spent 4 hours there and I can't wait to go back for more.

I walked away with my imagination effectively sparked. And I was ready to sign up for flying lessons.

The point is, your imagination needs nourishment. Your mind, like other parts of your body, needs food and exercise. Your imagination should have a chance to soak in some things from the real world. So, get out and have some fun!

Shannon Hale: Forest Born

It has been a while since I read the third book in the Bayern Series, River Secrets, but I got right back into the magic. All our favorite characters were back along with the new main character Rin.

It's been a long time since I got to read a novel, so I was really excited to go to the library. This was the first book I requested and the first one I read. It was a fast read, but so enjoyable. It also wrapped up the series quite well.

I loved this series and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun read. It's clean, it's fun, and it's engaging.

What did you think? Have you read any of Hale's other books?

Monday Quote

Whatever I do is done out of sheer joy; I drop my fruits like a ripe tree. What the general reader or the critic makes of them is not my concern.

- Henry Miller