NaNo no more just like the turkey...

Today is the last day of NaNoWriMo and sadly I did not finish the project I started on. I have worked on it though and I have direction with it. When the writer's block struck I switched over to working on the fiction writing. 

I have completed a good skeleton with the main story and developing some of the characters. I have also worked on another project that involves LOTS of typing.

The word count is on pointe, just not on one project. This is where I sit back and ponder if I accomplished what I wanted. The answer is yes and no. I wrote every day and have gotten further than I was. Unfortunately I did not finish the project I wanted to at least have in draft. I am not disappointed in writing over 55,000 words this month though.

In other news, I mostly took the holiday weekend off from the socials to enjoy some family time and to read a book that I was really looking forward to be released last Tuesday. I am only about 60% of the way done with said book so, I am not going to speak on it as of now. 

We had a nice Thanksgiving, it was a quiet one. Our annual bonfire will have to wait though because it rained. Adaption. When life presents different than you plan you adapt. (Not to mention, I have learned my plans are often the wrong plans. 😉)

We did decorate this past weekend. I believe it is the most we've done in a few years. I still have the tree inside to put up. My favorite of the lights we put up is a snowman. If you know me, you know my love for snowmen. I am told it is because I was born during a blizzard that I have an unhealthy love for snow. I believe it is only looked at as unhealthy because I live in the south. 😅

Anyhow, I have snowmen in my decorations because I understand that having the amount of snow I crave in middle Tennessee just is not going to happen and even if it did, it probably would not be good. 

Wrapping up, congratulations to everyone that completed NaNoWriMo, that participated in NaNo, that developed the daily writing habit, or was just along for the ride. 😆

Hope...

 As the Advent season begins, this first Sunday we focus on hope.

When we look around us, for some hope can seem far fetched. Our world has changed a lot in the last couple years. 

Our hope should not be in man. Our hope should be in the Lord. It can be hard to look up and see God when we go through life troubles. There are people that have financial, medical, housing, and many other concerns. 

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."

Psalm 42:11 KJV

If hope is difficult for you to maintain, look to the Lord. Pray for Him to reveal Himself to you. Lean on God and trust Him.

"For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: Thou art my trust from my youth."

Psalm 71:5 KJV

Thankful Heart

A reflective time of year it is. 

I see that my book Advent A Journey of Preparation is enjoying it's first birthday today. I am thankful that the journey that took me to write it and publish has opened other doors and built confidence for me. 

My desire to be an author has been around since before I could actually write. When I was little I would sit in church and draw the sermon into a picture or a panel story, simplifying the message to what I understood at the time. (I wonder if my mother has any that she saved.)

 

I am very thankful I joined this amazing group of writers summer of 2020 that had a crazy idea to create a magical town in north Shropshire. While I had chaos happen and did not get to join the first anthology with my writing, I did get in on the second. The group has been AMAZING as a writer and I believe friends as well. 

I am thankful that Falling Through is published in Whitstead Harvestide A Speculative Anthology.

I am thankful to be back to consistently writing. Doing the blog (attempting to update every Monday) and the featured photo helps keep me on track. Every creative person has to have a schedule of some sort in order to function. Or at least it feels that way to me. ;)

I am thankful I have started taking photos again. They may not be award winning or even good, but it makes me happy.

Most of all, I am thankful for my friends, family, and you!

God has blessed me this year. It doesn't all look like a blessing, some of it looks like a lesson or even chastisement, but it is still a blessing.

What are you thankful for?