NaNoWriMo 2020

 National Novel Writers Month. I remember the first time I heard about it. I thought it was a joke. Who could possibly think they could write a novel in 30 days? Needless to say, the next year (2000) I decided I would try.

Off and on through the years, I have attempted to write a novel in 30 days. 5 or 6 times I have met the 50,000-word goal. I have not published and in 2012 I was devastated when I lost 2 of the novels I wrote because I failed to maintain a backup.

ALWAYS back up your work in more than one place.

I believe this is the 18th year I am participating. I am excited about it because I found my original notes to one of the novels I lost and I am hoping to rewrite it. Going into this I am FULLY aware that it will not be the same as it was last time I wrote it. In fact, there have already been some serious changes and I am just 2000 words into it.

I encourage you if you enjoy writing to check out nanowrimo.org. It's free. 

For me, the challenge of writing consistently and daily helps with what is typically a chaotic time of year. It helps me keep order and stay grounded. For me that is important. I also tend to focus on my proper priorities more so. After all, in order to average 1676 words a day, there has to be some semblance of a schedule.

Are you doing NaNoWriMo? If you want to connect I am WriterFTJ

If you are on the fence about it, I suggest that you check it out. Look into it. It won't hurt anything. Writers use it for Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Memoirs, and more.

As I am writing I get excited to get to know my characters and meet new ones. I enjoy exploring their world and learning how things work. The whole process brings joy. Plus 90% of the time when I focus on one writing project, several more will pop up or flesh out. Enjoy the process!

Review: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

 Have you ever picked up a book and not be prepared for where it would take you?

Being an individual that feels we can always learn from other's perspectives, I wanted to find a book that calmly shared life experience that is different than my own. (In reality I believe EVERYONE experiences life differently, but I digress.)

ONWARD!

In Between the World and Me, the reader is transported into the vision of Coates. He is responding to questions that his adolescent son has asked, and the responses take you through a journey. A journey that everyone can benefit from by seeing his perspective if only for a moment. Personally I am Southern Italian and Native American with other ethnicities sprinkled. I have experienced prejudice and bullying. I was that teen driving the car in the "wrong" area of town (mind you I lived not far from where I was and a block from where I worked.) I have been called discriminatory names. BUT what I have experienced pales in what Mr. Coates shares.

I appreciate the biographical nature of the book, being that it is what the author has experienced and witnessed. It's matter of fact, yet not cynical. The crafting of the book as a letter has the intimacy of a personal journey which allows what is shared to have a humanization. This view extends beyond Coates and shines on the victims and survivors of racism. With Coates, you are forced to reflect on the singularity, the potential and preciousness of every life impacted by the Middle Passage, Bloody Sunday or killer cops.

Through this weaving of words, Coates issues a call out to those that have benefited by the systemic issues in America to make a change. We are to do better. Our darker skinned brothers and sisters will survive, they are survivors, it however is up to all of us to improve.

I could not agree more with the quote on the cover by Toni Morrison - "This is required reading."

P.S. This book to me harkens to the first time I watched "Boyz in the Hood." It opens your eyes and, if you allow it, it will open your mind.

Still here...

Just hoping on real quick.

I am still here. I've had internet issues and life.
- No the Tennessee tornadoes did not get us. We are west of Nashville.
- No, we haven't had the flu or COVID-19 but unfortunately, my best friend lost her mom to flu.
- Yes, my adjunct professor life got crazy for a hot minute.
- Yes, my library director life is ongoing in the crazy, but we are good and working.
- Mom and family life is adjusting. Teen boys don't like not seeing friends/girlfriends and we hear about it.
- Yes, I will continue my book reviews as soon as possible. I have several that were due in March and I need to get them typed up and posted.

Right now, today, we are doing good. All 5 of us at home are healthy. Hubby and I are both essential employees so we can still pay the bills.

Outright, we are praising God for the blessings we have.

Psalm 91
 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain