It's Dec. 1--all my NaNo and Nanner-split friends rejoice! National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo, link) has ended. How'd you do?
If you finished all 50,000 words (or more), super congrats! You're a rockstar.
Just remember the big mantra: "Don't query now!"
Now you need to enter the all important ReviseMo stage, after which you will enter the all-important critter/beta phase. And I'm taking this moment to remind everyone that I've hung out my shingle. I'm an experienced editor for hire (link).
(The short version is also in my sidebar over there -->)
I've never done NaNo. Mostly because it typically falls when I'm in the middle of revisions or just finished revisions. Last year, Dr. Kang (link) and I observed "ReviseMo" during the month of November, and now she has like a mega, 50-book deal!
So revisions are very, very important! You're not done. Yet.
Speaking of stuff I've never done, or never thought I'd do, my other good friend Vicki Rocho (link) is hosting a fun, "Well, I Never" blogfest today!
Here's my entry: I never thought I'd write a book.
Seriously, when I was growing up, I loved to read, and I always had little stories scribbled out with illustrations in spiral notebooks all over the place. Then I read a short story my older brother wrote.
It was so funny and insightful and moving, and I think I cried at one point. I clearly remember thinking, "One day I'll write like that."
But never a whole book.
I got my degree in English, taught 10th grade one year, went back to graduate school, got my master's in Mass Comm, worked in production at a TV station (CBS affiliate--WAFB, Baton Rouge, whoot!), did some association work, worked as an editor at LSU for 10 years, had two babies 11 months apart (!), started freelancing for seven years...
Then in Sept. 2009 I sat down and started writing a book.
And today I've finished four. Two are actually polished enough that they're with an agent (link). So there you go. Never say never.
What's something you said you'd never do? How's that working out for you?
Have a great weekend, reader- and writer-friends! Til Monday~ <3
If you finished all 50,000 words (or more), super congrats! You're a rockstar.
Just remember the big mantra: "Don't query now!"
Now you need to enter the all important ReviseMo stage, after which you will enter the all-important critter/beta phase. And I'm taking this moment to remind everyone that I've hung out my shingle. I'm an experienced editor for hire (link).
(The short version is also in my sidebar over there -->)
I've never done NaNo. Mostly because it typically falls when I'm in the middle of revisions or just finished revisions. Last year, Dr. Kang (link) and I observed "ReviseMo" during the month of November, and now she has like a mega, 50-book deal!
So revisions are very, very important! You're not done. Yet.
Speaking of stuff I've never done, or never thought I'd do, my other good friend Vicki Rocho (link) is hosting a fun, "Well, I Never" blogfest today!
Here's my entry: I never thought I'd write a book.
Seriously, when I was growing up, I loved to read, and I always had little stories scribbled out with illustrations in spiral notebooks all over the place. Then I read a short story my older brother wrote.
It was so funny and insightful and moving, and I think I cried at one point. I clearly remember thinking, "One day I'll write like that."
But never a whole book.
I got my degree in English, taught 10th grade one year, went back to graduate school, got my master's in Mass Comm, worked in production at a TV station (CBS affiliate--WAFB, Baton Rouge, whoot!), did some association work, worked as an editor at LSU for 10 years, had two babies 11 months apart (!), started freelancing for seven years...
Then in Sept. 2009 I sat down and started writing a book.
And today I've finished four. Two are actually polished enough that they're with an agent (link). So there you go. Never say never.
What's something you said you'd never do? How's that working out for you?
Have a great weekend, reader- and writer-friends! Til Monday~ <3
I'd like to move NaNo to January. No holidays plopped in the middle of the month that take a gazillion hours to prepare for...plus it's a cold and miserable month and you're stuck in the house anyway.
ReplyDeleteI ALMOST put writing a book on my list but debated with myself whether it was true. I used to tell my first grade buddies that I was going to be an author -- but somehow I never actually thought about the writing books part. Not sure how you can be one with out doing the other, but I was only 7 so that might explain a lot.
Thanks for joining in the blogfest and I can't wait to go to the bookstore and pull your bookS off the shelf!
Somehow I think your I NEVER is going to be rather popular today. I know it was one of mine! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats to all those who entered into the spirit of nano-ing! You are all winners!!
ReplyDeleteWell I never thought I'd embrace social networking - and here I am but I still run away from FB and Twitter etc! LOL!
Take care
x
I never thought I'd do NaNo, and I still never have! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I took a different approach to 'I'd Never.' :)
ReplyDeleteNever thought in a million years I'd make my cat rhyme..haha
ReplyDeleteThat's easy. Never thought I'd be the minivan soccer mom. :)
ReplyDeletedid your brother become a writer later on too?
ReplyDeleteNever say never! And ReviseMo?? I'm still drafting. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I'll never do NaNo as long as it's in November. I'm lucky I have time to write my name in that month.
ReplyDeleteYour attitude is certainly a winning one. Hope your books go the distance.
Mary
I can so relate to this as someone who's had a career on the editing side. I still struggle to embrace my creativity sometimes.
ReplyDelete@Laura--argh. The things we do for our kids! Yes, there are several other things I suppose I could've listed... :D <3
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing NaNo! YEAH! Just think, now you can, "Yes, I've written a book...."
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome, Leigh! It's so nice to *meet* you. I've seen you around the blogosphere so much, but had never been over to your blog *shock!*
ReplyDeleteYes, I did Nano for the first time this year and that was another Well I Never moment, because I never thought I'd actually want to do it. But this year I did and it was great!
I love this post! It inspires me to keep dreaming big. :)
I once told my mom I'd never get married. Six months later I met my SAM and the rest is history. I'll just keep telling myself that I'll never get a book published so maybe it will happen:)
ReplyDeleteYou have an impressive CV, lady!
Isn't life just full of these nevers LOL? I have a whole list of them, in fact if I say I'll never do something it's almost a sure thing it will happen!
ReplyDeletehaha--having too much fun reading the comments! I never thought I would quit my "stable teaching job" to pursue what I love! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder to those flushed with excitement over their nano novels. REVISE!!! And then do it again repeatedly until it's ready. :D I have a mess of a novel now. But oh how fun to dig back in!
ReplyDeleteVIcki comes up with the most clever stuff for her blogfests.
ReplyDeleteToo fun :D
We are similar creatures, you and I! I started in July 2009, all the while having had babies and working too.
ReplyDeleteHope you're well, Leigh!
That's a cool blogfest! I thought I would never be published but I have a short story in an anthology for sale :) I'll have to keep you in mind if I need editing help!
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking a look at My NaNo mess. :)
ReplyDeleteI never...thought I would write sci-fi? Does that count?
@LGG--Right. And it might be a mess now, but you've got something. Just get in there and start polishing~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteI've never done NaNo either. At least not in November.
ReplyDeleteI never thought I'd work at an observatory. It's so awesome.
I remember saying I'd never eat a brussel sprout...then I did and wished I hadn't ;)
ReplyDeleteThe timing for NaNo never works for me.
ReplyDeleteI especially don't want NaNo 2011 writers to start querying now. I just started querying my ms. I don't want to be stuck in the slushpile with them. :P
The timing for nano wasn't great for me either - but I got sucked in - and now I've got 50k of a new novel that needs another 40k or so before it'll be done :)
ReplyDeleteHi Leigh - I didn't do NaNo, because I was already into my WIP, but I did try to do less reviewing and more writing...doesn't work too well for me. Reviewing what I wrote the day before helps me stay on track with the story.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to know about your editing services. I just might be looking for some help around the end of January :-)
Hope you get a chance to read Koicto. The e-book will be out later this month.
Cheers,
Amy
Great post. Congratulations on your NaNo win. I found NaNo taught me self discipline and the importance of support through this writing community. My Well I Never was that I'd never write a book so *jinks* ;)
ReplyDeleteI chose not to do NaNo this year and focus on revisions for my short stories! It's been great. I've also had time to come up with a great new YA story, which leads me to your editorial expertise!!! I'm jotting it down because when I'm finished I'd love some EXPERT edits! You're my girl!
ReplyDelete@Amy--yeah, NaNo never seems to fall at a good time for me to participate. But it's a great idea to get everyone going on their projects. Super good luck w/KOICTO--it sounds awesome. And just let me know! I'm here.
ReplyDeleteHave a great holiday season, :o) <3
Never say never indeed! Hmm... I've been thinking about this since reading all the entries and truthfully I can't think of anything I never thought I'd do. My brain just doesn't function that way, I guess. Sorry, I know that sounds uber-lame...
ReplyDeleteGood job on the four books! Truly never say never.
ReplyDeleteI would never stick a needle in my arm, I would never get arrested in Tijuana, and I would never eat anything off McDonalds value menu.
ReplyDeleteI NEVER say never. Erm. (see how I did that... contradicting myself right in the statement) *cough*
ReplyDeleteI LOVE LOVE LOVE NaNoWriMo... If I ad BuNoWriMo, I've written five books this way... erm... though this most recent one needs an ending... but I did 68K in November.
That said, I don't revise for a while. I think a 3-6 month rest is optimal. I work on something else in between. Right now, for instance, I have my 3rd Cozy Mystery to write.
Congrats on achieving your "never!" I'm insanely terrified of planes and heights, so I never thought I'd go skydiving, but I did a few years ago in an effort to cure myself of this fear. It DEFINITELY didn't work, but I'm still proud I did it! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Vicky up top in comments that January would be a better month for Nano. With the daylight savings time change (I was seriously exhausted at night when I usually write), the huge holiday, and other family and work obligations I wrote less than I thought I would. But I did start strong and wrote more than I would have without it. So that's a win for me. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the never question!! Will have to think about that!!
This blogfest is so fun. I never thought I'd write a book either...but here I am on book number 2.
ReplyDeleteMy husband said he'd never get married and well...he's my husband.
Sometimes doing something we never thought we'd do makes life so much more entertaining!
Great post! Never say never!
ReplyDeleteVery clever blog name.
ReplyDeleteNEW FOLLOWER
Elizabeth
http://silversolara.blogspot.com
I finished my project, and now it's cooling on the window sill for a while. Not sure how scary it'll be :D
ReplyDeleteYou have come a LONG way since 9/09. Do you ever pinch yourself? And just think how far you'll be in a couple more years. Amazing.
I said that I would never stay in Los Angeles once I was out of television production...my last show wrapped almost a decade ago. I'm still here. Boo. And I would love to use your editing services in the new year when I'm done with this rewrite of NaNo 2010's project!
ReplyDeleteI'm here via Vicki's blogfest.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if many of us felt the same way about writing books. So glad that you are able to do this and best wishes for your babies finding homes.
That's super cool. Love it when things work out that way. I never thought I'd be living in the same neighborhood I grew up in. Really. I always imagined myself in another city. But it's kinda cool anyway.
ReplyDeleteI definintely never imagined I'd have written four books either. Whoa. We're bloody rockstars, sister!!! LOL!
I can honestly say there was a time I never thought I'd love to read. And definitely not write a book! I just didn't know that it was even a possibility. But your right about ReviseMo! I never have time to write a book in November. But last year I decided to write a book in January. So I did. And I've taken the whole year to polish it. I hope to have everything all pretty by the end of the year :)
ReplyDelete@YY--Hi, and welcome! Thanks so much for the well wishes. Here's hoping the same for you! :o) <3
ReplyDelete@PK--But you've been around the world! And when you do that, it's OK if home base is somewhere familiar, I think. Yes, rock on, Rocky~ :D <3
I've been doing the RevisMo this year! A whole group of us, it's been great. Though I didn't revise nearly as much as I would have liked. And isn't Dr. Kang awesome! (She sounds so official like that!)
ReplyDelete