I am amazed each year by the number of would- be and up-and-coming writers who still don't know about NANO (NaNoWriMo) or National Novel Writing Month. With all the writers of certain experience either moaning its approach or being excited, how can anyone else miss it? It's something like all writerly posts were replaced with cat pictures on some people's social media accounts. Or some people just live under a rock.
My challenge for you writers this week is to shoot a short video of yourselves (FB live or YouTube upload or FB upload). Promote yourself and your books, and tell your fans and fellow writers whether you are participating in NANO, participating as a REBEL, or NOT participating. And I'd love it if you said why, but I suppose I'll understand if you don't share your reason.
I've done two videos so far, but my laptop ate them. So I'll go FB LIVE later to complete my own challenge. (I'm a REBEL ALL THE WAY, my friends!!)
So whether you're writing or procrastinating, thanks for reading, and have a great end to October. Enjoy Halloween, if you do, and we'll talk again soon!
Phyl Campbell is the author of I'm Not Writing a Book Today, the so-called procrastination guide for writers and other dreamers, and a number of other books in various genres (available on Amazon). Books she has published for young authors can be found on her website. They are also available on Amazon under their own authors and titles. Campbell lives and teaches in York County, PA.
starts at midnight Tuesday of next week -- November 1. I am moving November 19. I have a ton of half-formed ideas. And really I have no idea what's going to happen.
50,000 words in 30 days -- no sweat, right?
And I really ought to be sleeping now, but as usually happens when I know I need to go to bed, my brain thinks "now would be a great time to think about random thing 361,297 and I can either try not to think about it or fire up my laptop and post something.
So before I find my maturity and hit the hay, I'm going to share a post about my journey as a NANO rebel. I invite you to sign up for NANO this year and dust off any writing pursuit you may have, whether you follow the rules or become a REBEL like me. So click on the hyperlink above and ENJOY!
Phyl Campbell is Author, Mother, Dreamer. She writes and conducts workshops on a variety of topics: Education, Women/Feminism/Equality, Book Reviews, and Writing. Her books are available on Amazon. If you'd like to see her speak at an upcoming function, contact her via her website or Facebook page.
Was my last blog post really in January? Seems impossible.
But then, consider that I moved in February (and got sick), created a new FB page (Life in Georgia, you should go check it out), and have been doing a lot of things so that I have things to write about. Sometimes I even write about the things. Sometimes I share when I write about the things.
April was Camp NaNo, but the first week, my son and I drove back to AR for Spring Break, a birthday party, several friend visits, and a speaking engagement. We drove and only lost an hour, but I felt like I had jet lag that cost me another week. I made it to PTA events -- which is probably why I'm chairing a committee -- too tired to act like I didn't want it. And I do want to do well. I want my kid to be proud that I'm around before those teenage hormones fully come into play. But I only showed up to make adult friends that might have kids my son is friends with. Obviously I have learned nothing about the typical PTA... (I have met a few people that now know me by name. So far they seem really nice. I'm sure they are also not typical PTA of the type terrible tales are written!)
(Harper Valley PTA clip that I don't own -- all rights to their rightful owners, etc, etc.)
I BETA-read a friend's book in late March and handed it off in April. I can't reveal anything yet, but people are going to love it. Here's one hint (see image):
That's it -- that's all you get! And it isn't enough -- I promise!!
Anyway...
I met with many of the young authors during my Spring Break visit.
Aren't they a wonderful looking group? And don't get me started on the talent! Ian's working on book #3, Cadence a new series, Bella book #3 and Ari book #2. #proudteacher
I collected the BETA readings of A Muse Meant over Spring Break. I edited for the last time (cross fingers) and handed it off to one last BETA reader. I'm excited about that.
My son and I started a story about the explanation and evolution of mermaids, and I'm working on that -- a very little. IDK if this cover works, but I kinda liked it:
I'm worried about all the tales I feel like I'm abandoning, and think I may have found a loophole to do a short story collection for a bunch of random fantasies I've half-baked. I wrote an intro and shared it with one of my young authors -- she took it and ran with a new dragon story that has not one thing to do with my introduction (as I had intended it). But she's got a new wonderful story in the works and her giddiness was catching. So I told her if all the young authors wanted to add shorts or if we wanted to write a story together -- whatever works and sounds like fun for as long as it IS fun!
And I have a Scavenger Hunt to arrange. "It'll be easy!" I said. "There will be zombies!" I said.
I say a lot of stupid things.
I did not create this Zombie Bingo Card. I was thinking that something LIKE this would make finding items out of order easy. We shall see.
I have been and done more things. I have loads of half-written blog posts that I need to finish, type, and post.
One thing at a time, right? Sure... Let me know how that works out for you...
So many ideas, so the same number of hours in a day as before. It's nearly impossible to decorate for Halloween, continue my fall cleaning, work on my current WIP, help my students with their WIPs, and decide among all my lovely half-baked ideas which one I will pluck from obscurity to make into my 50,000 word November project.
Or do I rebel? Nano rebellion for me is a time honored tradition. I'd hate to start following rules now.
I could work on several projects simultaneously, as I do throughout the year and have done for past NANOs, but I am looking to stretch myself as an author and a person. Why not make my 2015 NANO a personal best in determination and growth?
So I created a placeholder novel -- although a part of me wants to follow that plot bunny down the rabbit hole. We'll see what book I start when the Trick-or-Treaters have all gone home.
If you want to join my NANO buddy group, my handle is phyln. If you want more info about NANO, my classes, or anything else, send me an email or a FB PM. I look forward to hearing from you!
You know I am writing my 50,000 words for National Novel Writing Month. And not seeing a lot of people missing me here, to be honest. So please check out the Phyl Campbell Author Page on Facebook for updates this month. Unless something major happens, I'll see you back here in December!
Other things are going on -- for example, writing for Bubblews with the handle &Phylc_author. In the past three weeks, I've written over 150 articles/Bubbles. If you're bored, go check that out. I see this site replacing Wikinut, but there are a few reasons to keep both doors open.
I am amazed each year by the number of would- be and up-and-coming writers who still don't know about NANO (NaNoWriMo) or National Novel Writing Month. With all the writers of certain experience either moaning its approach or being excited, how can anyone else miss it? It's something like all writerly posts were replaced with cat pictures on some people's social media accounts. Or some people just live under a rock.
