Nano count: 20,086 words
Happy Veterans Day to all service people living and beyond. You cannot know just how much your sacrifices and your service means to the rest of us. Thank you.
A nice day yesterday. I’m still waiting for an expected project to roll in, so I had time to work on Nano. Also, Anne and I had our second free monthly mastermind chat with some of the Five Buck Forum members. We rolled around some ideas, chatted about business stuff, and enjoyed the camaraderie more than anything.
That call left me feeling really good, so I put that energy into my manuscript, and I was able to find that thread that ties the characters together. It’s solid, and it makes sense for what I’m trying to present. Amen.
I also took some time to find fun stuff to share with you.
20 British Expressions You Will Never Hear in the US: This from good chum Sharon Hurley Hall.
One Big Reason Why Commercial Writing Pays Better and Resists ‘Off-Shoring’ (and Why this Other Kind of Writing Doesn’t):
I practically proposed to Peter Bowerman because of this post.
Do Your Goals Need a Gut Check?: Cathy Miller cranks out another awesome post.
Content Marketing Planning That Really Works: A great guest post by Katie Saxon over on Susan Johnston’s blog.
A new music obsession, and just one gorgeous song:
Share a link, a song, whatever. What’s inspiring you this week?
I've written 70K since October 1 on a novel I wasn't sure I wanted to write, so I guess the story itself has inspired me! I switched up my process a little, trying to find (for my class) the right balance between outlining enough and not doing so much prep you think you've written the book.
I'm also working on a short story, with two waiting impatiently in the wings. Two of the three (the one I'm working on and the one I'm doing after that) were inspired by an exchange I overhead in the parking lot a few weeks ago when I went out to get the Sunday papers.
The class is reading three books during the year, all of which I highly recommend and go back to over and over again:
MAKING A LITERARY LIFE by Carolyn See
WRITE AWAY! By Elizabeth George
THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT THE NOVEL by Jane Smiley
I also love
SOMETIMES THE MAGIC WORKS by Terry Brooks
Thanks for the book recommendations, Devon. Always on the lookout for one more perspective on the craft (or four more perspectives). 🙂
I happen to love Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and Off the Page, edited by Carole Burns. That one in particular is interesting, because every writer presented has a different approach that works for him or her. Really neat to see what each process is.
I'm inspired to have a trio of new assignments that arrived over the past few days. Anything that helps pay the bills is an inspiration to me.
Peter's post was great, and I'll be checking out the others.
No inspirational music, but in honor of Nigel Tufnel day, how about: "Listen to What the Flower People Say." Tried to keep it rated "G" 🙂
Good inspiration, Paula. 🙂
LOVE Spinal Tap. 🙂 Thanks, Jake.
Aw, thanks for the link love. I enjoyed the Forum chat as well. What a great bunch of people.
I'm in San Diego and it's raining but the 10-day forecast is for sunny and mid-60s. I would love that for the 3-Day Walk next weekend!
I read the other posts (and loved them as well), but did not see Katie's so I'm off to check that out. Love new finds-so thank you.
It's early here in San Diego so I will wait to check out the video later when my friend is not still sleeping. Seems the least I can do. 🙂
I hope you had a great walk, Cathy!