And I’m Done
What’s Jack up to? Jack is doing well. He’s up and at ‘em and ready for a relaxing week after having a long and wild weekend with the family. At least I hope so. I know I’m ready for a fairly relaxing week so I hope Jack is on board with that. Well, it’s November 30th the last day for NaNoWrimo 50,000 word challenge and I’m happy to report that I’ve completed it with 54,194 words. I went a little over since I started with a few words in this story. This was my first Nano and it was one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my writing life.Speaking of hardest I had one crazy day on Friday in my post Thanksgiving stupor where I wrote 10,000 words. I would not recommend this for anyone. I think I was sleep writing at one point and had to get up and hop around the house a bit. Splash some water on my face.
In my head I was Rocky and had a little Burgess Meredith pushing me on. Making sure I wouldn’t give up and there were plenty of times I wanted to. At 20,000 and again at 27,000 and again at 35,000 words. But once I got close to 40 I knew there was no turning back.
A life saver, well, NaNo saver for me was Write or Die over at Dr. Wicked’s writing lab. It really forced me to write without thinking and let go of that inner critic. At one point when I was complaining about how hard it was to think up something else to write my son gave me a great reminder when he said, “You don’t write what you think Mom, you write what you feel.” Such wise words.Now I know that this story will take about 20- 25,000 more words to finish and at least 10,000 of the hot mess I’m-so-tired words will be cut, but hey, I’ll be crossing that bridge next month and maybe even next year. Yeah, probably into next year.
Well, that’s it for me and my NaNo journey. I want to thank all of you for your encouraging words. They meant so much and to my RWA/NYC NaNo crew a big thanks too. I’m so glad I joined you for the ride. Oh and all my NaNo tweeting buddies. You rock hard!
Now onto that layer of dust that had been sitting for the past month.Best,
KwanaWanna Snuggle?
Happy Friday! And I do hope it’s happy.
I’m going for a new outlook today. Enough of the writerly doom and gloom. Obviously wheels are going to keep turning no matter what I say here and we’ll just have to see how it all plays out. In the meantime I’m ever hopeful.
My NaNowrimo writing has suffered terribly this week. It’s been a tough week life-wise. just plain nutty and the writing time has just flown by. Now I’m in panic mode. Oh well. I shall do my best to be where I will be. Wish me luck.
On a Friday up note I have a Snuggie!! Well, a Snuggie-esque from The Christmas Tree shops. Yesterday Nana and I did our annual Thanksgiving shopping and ran across some very cool Snuggie-esque garments that were called The Hug Throws for a great price in all sorts of colors and Nana could not resist buying them for the whole family. I have a cool lime green one! Love my Nana.
The only family member that didn’t get one was Jack. I specifically warned Nana not to order Jack this. You know she wants to. Sorry he’ll just have to cuddle next to me with mine. It’s bad enough I’m looking a hot Snuggie-esuqe mess don’t need to subject Jack to it too.
Best,
KwanaEar Worm
What’s Jack up to? Poor Jackie boy. Well, Jack’s feeling down and that’s got me down. See he’s gone and gotten himself an ear infection. So he’s mopey and a bit whiny. I should have known something was up when he wasn’t getting into his usual trouble. I did know there was a big problem when I package showed up on my door and there was no wild barking.So it’s the big ear drop fight for us. Wish me luck. Poos Jack had to understand it’s for the best.A dog really is in a way like having another child. This takes me back to my twin toddler days and dueling ear infections. Wow. And I thought those days were done. I guess never.Best,KwanaBook Squawking
What’s Jack up to? Jack had a calm and, I think for a dog, pleasant weekend this weekend. Knowing Jack he thought it was a bore. The weather was nice, so decent walks and the nights were cool, so good sleep. That plus food and treats what more could he want? With Jack-trouble.Today I’m happy to introduce you to a new blog called Booksquawk. It’s a writer’s book review blog and I’m honored to be one of the contributors. The tagline for the blog is: really good book reviews by professional writers.Now that for me is humbling. Really good? Hmm… I’m not so sure. Now I’m new to this review game, but, um, let’s just see how it goes. Shall we?And as for the professional writer part… I don’t think I’ve been a professional since my fashionista days and I sometimes had to wear heels and even then it was kinda loosey goosey. But hey, I am writing and I do want it to be my profession so, well, I guess that counts. Hey, they called me. I don’t know who did their background checks.Either way the cool thing about Booksquawk is that all different genres will be represented since the contributing writers have such varied tastes (yeah, expect some romance from me, yay!).So there is lots to look forward to and you may find a new favorite author.Please stop by Booksquawk here and stop by often because new reviews are popping up all the time. Heck, if you’re feeling fancy become a follower and get a big cyber type smooch from me! Thanks.Oh and scroll down on Booksquawk to read my review of ACCORDING TO JANE by Marilyn Brant. Thanks again!Best,
KwanaAnd Writing
What’s Jack up to? As I type this in the basement he’s being such a loyal dog and has come downstairs to keep me company. Though I know it’s much warmer upstairs. But he’s laying by my side on the couch being a quiet sweetheart. Thanks Jack.I’m up and writing and that is pretty much my plans for the weekend besides bowling badly and running around with the teen twins. The NaNoWrimo words are adding up which makes me happy. I’m not sure if they make all that much sense right now, but hey, they’re adding up and that’s the point. December is for revisions.I hope you have a wonderful weekend.Best,KwanaWalking with Friends
Jack took a stroll yesterday with one of his oldest friends, Bentley!
Though they paid each other little attention each going their own way.
And Jack clearly was in no mood to be photographed. Ugh, paparazzi!
But he was happy to catch up with this friend and so was I.
Patricia of pve design. Why don’t you pop over here and give her a Hi. I’m sure she’ll have something inspiring to get you over this hump day.Best,KwanaP.S. I’m still rolling along with The NaNowrimo challenge. The words are addling up nicely. Yesterday was a bit of a bust with the being election day and the kids out of school, but I hope to put it in a higher gear today. I think I can hear you all cheering me on from your homes. Thanks.
Trick or Treat
Happy Halloween from me and Jack!
We hope you have more treats than tricks.
Best
Kwana
No Idle Hands
What’s Jack up to? Jack never lets things get dull around here. The poor thing has gotten a bit of a rash. I know probably TMI, but there it is. It’s all over his belly and even his back and made me itchy so I took him to the vet and come to find out it’s doggy acne. WHAT!? Some strange thing they can pick up from who knows where. So it’s pills for Jack that he doesn’t want but I have to get down him for about 21 days. So, um… there.As for me today, I’ll be trying to get some writing done. So very necessary. A few loads of laundry. Also very necessary. Then there is knitting group today. Not a necessity, but for mental heath, yeah, I think so.So no Idle Hands for me today.How about you?
pic from my knitting group last weekOh and thanks to all who voted for Valorie aka Visual Vamp in the Apartment Therapy contest. She has made it through 2 rounds and is still in. You can vote for her again here to keep her going strong. Thanks!
Best,
Kwana
Mojo Monday
What’s Jack up to? Jack had a very happy 3rd birthday yesterday. Filled with fun and new toys. I even let up on his special diet and got him a birthday cupcake which though his was happy to eat, didn’t stay down. Oh, well at least he enjoyed himself.
Jack, says thanks for all the well wishes yesterday!
I’m back from the NJ romance writer’s conference and happy to report that I had just THE BEST time. It’s such a well run conference full of friendly people with top speakers and presenters. The only downside? The 4 and 5 am fire alarm. That stunk. Here is some of the NY crew at dinner lunch. Notice the wine on the table. The hotel thought it would make up for lack of sleep. It did not. That cute little sweetie there did not partake.
But as you can see I think the rest did.
(Carolyn, Isobo (holding other the cutie Jack) Leanna, Stacy)Upside. Rooming with my PIC Megan and Liz M. too for a hot minute. Sorry I don’t have a picture of Liz. Hi Liz! Here are Megan and I in the hotel’s faux Soho lounge. It’s pretty. The only pic I have of Liz was taken during the fire alarm. I think it’s nice. I’m afraid she may not.
Some of the great workshops I attended were:
One on digital publishing with super smart Icantalkdigitalinmysleep and, yes, I think she can, Angela James.
Darn, how did I let her leave without telling me what format was best for my Sony.
A dialogue workshop with Bestselling author Karen Rose. Here is Karen with friends and fans Louise and Danielle.
Also a super workshop on Collages with Jennifer Crusie that blew my artist mind. I already do story boarding but this will have me taking it to the next level. I knew Jennifer was Ms. New York Times Best Seller but now that I know she was an art teacher and is quite an artist I think I’m more in love. Notice it says behind her “creativity is play” something to keep in mind.
Finally I spent many an hour hanging around Bestseller (I was doing that a lot trying to get some mojo to rub off) Madeline Hunter. She had 2 workshops1. Surviving Almost There (a place where I seem to have been hanging out for quite a long time)
2. Alaso a double session on conflict that rocked my world. I learned so much. She really got the gears working.
Now I just about thought I’d swoon when I went to the book signing later and gave Madeline my card and she said that she had been to ye little old blog before. Oh happy, swoony day! Thanks for that moment Ms. Hunter.
And now for your viewing pleasure a few more pics from the signing:
Golden Leaf Winner YAY!!! Anna DePalo. Congrats Anna.
Leanna Renee Hieber
Isabo Kelly
Janet Mullany. Lucky me getting her last copy of: A Most Lamentable Comedy.
So as you can see I’ve had quite a weekend. Now time to put all that inspiration and fun into practice. Gotta hit the writing cave. Will be popping out for brief sips of air.
Bye!Best,
Kwana
One, Two… THREE!!!
What’s Jack up to? Well today Jack is feeling like he’s practically grown up, little Mr. Big Stuff, You can’t tell him he’s not all that because…Happy 3rd Birthday toJack today!Wow, I can’t believe my wild little oversized Yorkie is 3 years old today. In the time we’ve had Jack life has not been the same. There is never a dull or quiet day and yes, I complain but the joy and the smiles sure make up for it.Three cheers for the Jackster!!!
Best,Kwana
