NaNoWriMo is over and I didn't make my goal of 50,000 words. Between my contemporary short story, historical novel and all my blogging, I still only achieved a final word count of 34.857 But, when I think about it, I don't feel like a loser. Matter of fact, NaNo gave me a few things that I desperately needed.
The first thing I got from NaNo was a writing community. The writers old and new that joined my Facebook groups are amazing. From Reena with her stockpile of writing software to Jen with her perpetual cheer leading, I know that I wouldn't have done so well without the support of others who had entered November Madness. Friends and family are great, but there is nothing like having another writer understand your frustration when the words aren't flowing. Or having a writer friend give a cyber high-five when you work through a difficult scene. If you aren't part of such a community, feel free to join mine on Face Book: The Writers' Block group, The Writers' Block page (Education and self promo for Indie Authors and aspirings.)
I also think I will be writing on a more regular now that NaNo is over. Who knew that writing everyday made sustaining a thought easier? Not me. Up until now, I've written when the mood struck me. Having to sit down to the computer and churn out 1667 words a day was daunting, but it soon became a habit. One that my husband and children grew to expect and even respect. Now that I've grown accustomed to writing everyday, sometimes only a couple hundred words, I think I may actually finish the pile of unfinished manuscripts in my desk drawer. And that would be nice as my website went live last week and I have readers and a publisher waiting for me to get kick it up a notch.
But the thing that I am most thankful to NaNo for this year is my newest WIP, My Lover's Keeper. Accepting the challenge to write an historical novel has been the most awesome ride. I'd hate for anyone to see my desk. There are maps and reams of print outs. Not to mention the books of Kate Pearce and Beverly Jenkins that I refer to often. Not of it all smooth. You have no idea how hard it is to find out the exact length of a transatlantic voyage. Much less finding an image of the interior of a French galleon, but I digress.
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| Etienne Chavaleau |
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| Michel Rigard |
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| Henri Chavaleau |
I introduced my female characters early in NaNo. Now I'd like to share their love interest. I'm curious to see if anyone can figure out who goes with who. The girls are a couple of post back - NaNoWriMo. I've posted a excerpt of "My Lover's Keeper, please leave a comment to let me know if I am on track.
Okay, I admit it. I am a history geek. I love history. I have since Mrs. Cady (who was actually related to Elizabeth Cady Stanton) stood before our 5th grade class and told the most amazing stories of New York History. I sat on the edge of my seat wanting to know more. It wasn't about dates for geography, it was about people and their stories. I was hooked. My favorite time period? Probably the Middle ages with the Civil War coming in a close second. 
When I began homeschooling my children, I was drawn to the classical module for education. My children soaked up the stories and myths of the ancient world. They didn't realize that they were doing history, they were listening to stories. I want to do that for my readers. I want to sneak in fascinating facts about major and minor historical figures. When they reach the end, I want them to have to fight an inexplicable urge look up details they never would have thought to explore. 
Well, this evening I was presented with a challenge that I just could not pass up. In the next 12 months I have to read 6 historical novels, in 6 different sub-genre. I can't wait to get started. Lucky for me, I know at least 2 of my favorite authors, Beverly Jenkins (multicultural) and Kate Pearce (regency), either have a recent release or one coming out early in 2011. 
The first thing I got from NaNo was a writing community. The writers old and new that joined my Facebook groups are amazing. From Reena with her stockpile of writing software to Jen with her perpetual cheer leading, I know that I wouldn't have done so well without the support of others who had entered November Madness. Friends and family are great, but there is nothing like having another writer understand your frustration when the words aren't flowing. Or having a writer friend give a cyber high-five when you work through a difficult scene. If you aren't part of such a community, feel free to join mine on Face Book: The Writers' Block group, The Writers' Block page (Education and self promo for Indie Authors and aspirings.)
