Writing
NaNoWriMo
Countdown to Echo
As you can see by the countdown on the right – I have 27 days left to finish this draft of my novel.
There have been many changes to the story, so this draft includes brand new material along with removing a large section of the second draft. This is why I’ve enrolled in NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month – with a goal of 50,000 new words by November 30!
I’m going to try to continue to post excerpts from the novel, photos from Azra’s collection, and possibly writing tips, here at KillerWriter.com. We shall see. I’m not promising anything for this month…other than to make it to 50,000 words and the completion of draft number 3 on the first book in the Echo Series!
We’re still enjoying rainy days here in Montana. It snowed yesterday. It was lovely, but it’s all gone now.
Happy November!
Writing in the Rain
I love to write.
I’ve learned to write everyday. I write on sunny days, snowy days, sick days. I write whether I’m in the mood to write or not. Fortunately, for me, I’m more often in the mood than not.
I love writing on rainy days. Today it’s raining outside.
This is what I feel like when I’m writing on a rainy day.
Baby Jana – Boulder, Colorado (possibly taken on a rainy day!)
My bookmark says “A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.” – Richard Bach
Happy Writing!
Glacier Park – Last Day
Yesterday was the last day Going to the Sun Road was open for the season in Glacier National Park.
My friend MaryJo picked me up at noon. We caught up on our lives, admired the fall colors, and took a nice little hike to Hidden Lake.
It was a fantastic way to spend a Sunday. We are both grateful to live so close to such a beautiful place.
Echo’s Past
She wasn’t breathing. Her skin felt like a cold, skinless chicken breast. I didn’t know what to do. I pushed on her chest a couple of times, then leaned my ear down to her mouth. I’d seen people do this on TV. I didn’t know if I should be trying to hear her breath or feel it on my ear. I pushed again, but it didn’t feel like I was helping, it felt like I was inflicting more pain. This time when I leaned in, I just stayed there.
“Mom.” I started to cry.
I wrapped my arms around her. That’s when I knew she was dead. There was nothing. No one. Life was gone from her broken body. I was freaked out, devastated, and then scared. I looked one last time at my mother’s face, and then I went to Ray. He was unconscious, naked on the floor. I couldn’t tell if he was dead, but I didn’t want to wait around to find out.
Blooming Late
It’s September 29th and our backyard is blooming as though it was July 29th. It is bursting with tomatoes, pumpkins, carrots, flowers and my roses.
It’s a late bloom and it seems appropriate for everything else going on in my life.
I just spent the weekend at the Flathead Writers’ Conference in Kalispell, Montana, and I feel like the roses in my backyard. I’m bursting with joy and inspiration, not at all concerned that as a “woman of a certain age”, I am a late bloomer.
After years of sacrifice, leaving financially rewarding jobs, skipping out on family events, staying home to write instead of skiing with my handsome husband, I have reached a point where my writing reflects the years of education, research, and mentoring I’ve gone through to learn the craft of writing. I heard great feedback and encouragement this weekend and it was exactly what I needed when I needed it. I woke up this morning feeling incredibly grateful.
Now back to writing and finishing the book!
Change
17 years ago, I was pregnant…
with this beautiful child…
who is growing up so fast…
We decided we needed a new car. So, we went to Island Honda in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii and bought a HONDA Civic.
We eventually shipped it back to the mainland. For years we took it (or it took us) on many road trips across the country, fully loaded with kayaks, camping equipment, kids, books on tape, then CD, and finally MP3. It was the best family car EVER. Then yesterday, I took it in to get the oil changed and to try to figure out where the noise was coming from. And I ended up leaving it there (call me crazy but I almost cried.)
And I came home in THIS…
It is a beautiful machine. It’s been my dream car for years. And it’s quiet, and has heated seats (it’s true, I am a princess.)
My 17-year old is trying to come up with a name for it (yes, we name our cars). We happen to LOVE Maroon 5…
I suggested we name it Five, but she thinks we should name it Adam. “Mom, can I take Adam to the store?” Yes, you can laugh out loud.
I’m happy, and nervous, and oh so blessed. And if anyone needs any Grant Writing, Proposal Writing, Editing, Employee Manuals, Training Manuals, or a fancy new website…you should call me, because I think I’m going to need more projects – soon. However, I’m still writing my novel, I’m never giving that up!
Happy Friday.
Echo
My character, Agent Echo is an assassin for a secret government organization – The Agency.
She gets debilitating migraine headaches at inopportune times, but mostly she’s kick-ass.
Echo is a photographer. When she’s not on assignment she loves to take photos of flowers with her macro lens. She admires the work of Georgia O’Keeffe and wishes they could have met.
“When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not.” Georgia O’Keeffe
Intuition
“…use your inner guidance to solve problems rather than waiting for help.” Jessica Page Morrell, The Writer’s I Ching
Jana Van Felt 