Writing

In Which the Author Waves the White Flag

marlenedotterer

I’ve been writing almost ten years. I never thought about that until right now, when I wrote that sentence. It sort of takes my breath away. Of course, we all know I haven’t been writing for the entire ten years. Based on recent performance, I have to lose the past year or two when I’ve only come up with a few hundred words. Barely qualifies.

During this time, I’ve belonged to various writing groups, such as OWW (Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror), CWC (California Writers Club), and of course, my own dear critique group with three other CWCers who also write SF&F.

Also during this time, I have stayed firmly outside of NaNoWriMo, which everyone knows is National Novel Writing Month. In November. When I have cooking to do and autumn decorations to deal with (after I put away the Samhain decorations), and hopefully visiting family. I have stood on the sidelines and cheered on many of my writing buddies as they dived daily into those thousands of words they needed to write to meet the goal of fifty thousand words in one month. But I refused to try it myself.

You’ve probably already figured out that I’m jumping into the pool this year. This was partly brought on by NaNoWriMo creator Grant Faulkner, who spoke at our CWC meeting last month. You can’t say “no” to that man, he’s too darn happy. And I’m also desperate. I really want to finish and publish more novels and I need help to get those words on paper.

So this is my ANNOUNCEMENT.  I have just signed up for NaNoWriMo and entered my novel, Verdandi, into the fray of NaNoWriMo, pumpkin pies be damned. I’m going to find a group or partner to write with, because I know I need the accountability. And every day during November, I will write.

Those words are terrifying. But if I do it, will someone make me a pumpkin pie?

Published by marlenedotterer

Science Fiction and Fantasy writer

7 thoughts on “In Which the Author Waves the White Flag”

  1. Wonderful! Every little bit helps. I’m trying to write at least a few sentences every day, so I’m with you on that, but I’m too lame to try NaNo lol.

  2. PS much enjoyed your Germany pics. I hope to go to Europe within the next two years, perhaps for WorldCon in Finland. Very excited to try German beer!

    1. It was so much fun. I have more to post but now that we’re home, it’s hard to get going. German beer: you might do some research ahead of time to find craft beer places. The beer they serve nearly everywhere is nothing special – wouldn’t be surprised if it’s actually a Bud. I think you have to know what to ask for.

  3. Good on you for hopping into the NaNoWriMo fray. I haven’t fully decided if I’m going to go all official or maybe just Ninja NaNo in the shadows lol!

    1. All right! I’m actually thinking we can do a group cook day after this is over. You make pumpkin, I’ll make pecan! Jordan can bring the Guinness and and Ed can bring the whiskey!

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